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Faith Ndlovu, Sunday Life Reporter
THE Zimbabwean hip-hop scene came alive during the recently held 14th annual Pogues Zim Hip Hop Awards, where this year’s trailblazers in the genre were celebrated.
Taking place at the elegant Royal Gate Gardens in Chisipite, Harare, the event was a memorable tribute to the most talented and innovative artistes in Zim hip-hop.
This year’s event was themed “Beyond the Beat,” meant to recognise and honour the trailblazers and tastemakers who pushed the boundaries of Zim hip-hop and took it to new heights.
From emerging artistes to established icons, the Pogues Zim Hip Hop Awards shone a spotlight on the very best of Zimbabwean hip-hop talent.
A talented line-up of Bulawayo-based artistes earned nods at the awards, including Boy Nino, Phanas, Mlue Jay, Mark Vusani, Kbrizzy, Dee Moses of Skyz Metro FM and Brucella.
Speaking to Sunday Life, one of the Bulawayo Zim hip hop winners, who won the Hip Hop Personality of the year, Nigel Bhebhe better known as “Boy Nino” said it felt amazing to receive the award because of his hard work this year.
“I worked hard this year, released more music than I usually do and I started vlogging to get people to know all sides of me, being the hip-hop personality of the year felt well deserved,” he said.
Boy Nino emphasised that the award is a starting point for him to go harder.
“It’s not only a testament to my hard work and dedication but also a powerful reminder that my efforts are recognised and valued. This achievement serves as a starting point, fuelling my passion to push beyond boundaries and strive for excellence,” he added.
Boy Nino urged young artistes that they should not give up, as being an artiste goes beyond just creating art, but also having a deeper connection with the audience.
Phanankosi Dube, known as “Phanas”, who won the Best Producer of the Year award, revealed that this was his first-ever award, which made it even more special.
“To be honest, it feels so good and what makes it more special is that ,it is my first award although I have been nominated before,a couple of times, so actually winning the award is one of the best feelings I have had so far this year.
“This award will have a positive impact on my career because a lot of artistes are comfortable with working with someone who has good accolades and a good catalogue. So, winning the award raises eyebrows to whoever didn’t know about me and it creates more opportunities and confidence for me to work with more artistes,” he said.
Phanas extended his heartfelt gratitude to his incredible fans for their unwavering love and support.
“Your belief in my music fuels my passion, and I’m grateful for your continued encouragement. More exciting projects are on the horizon, so stay tuned. Special thanks to everyone who streamed my joint album with Kbrizzy, your enthusiasm has been overwhelming,” he noted.
Phanas expressed optimism about Bulawayo’s thriving hip-hop scene, citing a surge in young artistes releasing music and exploring diverse creative avenues.“From fashion to content creation, including music videos and vlogs, the city’s vibrant cultural landscape is flourishing. Bulawayo’s hip-hop scene has a promising future, with immense growth potential,” he said.
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