Kwela Initiative Unites Bulawayo Hip-Hop Community

Written by on January 28, 2025

28 January 2025

By Pronellah Lunga

Bulawayo’s hip-hop community gathered at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe for the Kwela Initiative yesterday, with the first day themed “Conflict Transformation: Hip Hop vs. Community.”

The event sought to address the lack of support for hip-hop talent in the city by engaging stakeholders, media, businesspeople, and creatives.

Veteran arts director Raisedon Baya urged artists to support one another and promote their bookings online.

“If one artist can put on a show and all of you come out to support them, I, as a promoter, don’t see you just as audience members. I see you as friends of the artist. This builds trust. If that artist can consistently draw a crowd, I’m more likely to book them again because I know they have a dedicated fanbase.

On the other hand, if I book an artist and only two people show up, I have to question why I should bring them back. It starts to make me think that maybe hip hop doesn’t have a strong following, and I might avoid booking more hip hop artists.

I have also noticed that some artists get booked for events but don’t even post about it on their social media. Then, they come to the show and complain about low attendance. Who do you expect to bring the crowd if you’re not doing your part to promote it? Share the poster, get your fans excited. It is a two-way street,” said Baya.

Kwela Initiative facilitator Asaph Afrika(Tafadzwa Tarukwana), Asaph celebrated the successful opening day and expressed optimism for the rest of the program.

“Artists were very vocal during the discussions, sharing their perspectives on the opportunities they need and are seeking. We addressed crucial topics such as marginalization, the importance of proper etiquette, community engagement, and the significance of discipline. These are all vital aspects that artists must keep in mind as we collectively strive to build a stronger and more sustainable industry.

From Tuesday to Friday, we will continue to engage with the artists through a series of workshops covering a wide range of essential topics. These workshops will delve into studio etiquette, public relations and media engagement, effective promoter relationships, and strategies for global and regional expansion,” Asaph Afrika stated.

Female hip-hop artist TBK (Tabaka Moyo) shared her excitement about the increasing involvement of women, highlighting its importance for gender representation in the industry.

“I was delighted to see fellow female artists in attendance, but we still have a long way to go. We need to increase our visibility and make our presence felt more strongly. This is a male-dominated industry, and we need to ensure our voices are heard. I believe that by actively participating and supporting each other, we can create a more inclusive and equitable space for female artists,” said TBK.

The five-day program will conclude with a compilation album and concert showcasing Bulawayo’s hip-hop talent.


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