A Reece vs Holyten/Voltz JT?

As always lets open with a word of prayer.

“Lord theyre pissing me off should I whip them like you did the vendors who were selling in the temple? No? Okay.

Amen I guess”

Let’s dig in, The recent comparisons between A-Reece and Zimbabwean hip-hop artists Holyten and Voltz have sparked heated debates (not really) While A-Reece's skills are undeniable, this comparison is dishonest for several reasons. Primarily, it's unfair to pit rappers against each other when they're not striving for the same sub-genre. This comparison can subconsciously perpetuate the notion that Zimbabwean hip-hop (ZHH) is inferior. But let's compare them with a little extra nuance.

Lyrical Elements

A-Reece's lyrical prowess is undeniable, but if we're comparing lyricism, why not pit him against our best lyricists, RayKaz? They're more direct comparisons. While I don't want to make outlandish statements, I think it's essential to note that, in real life, A-Reece and RayKaz are not far off from each other as lyricists – whoever you think is better.

Production Elements

Zimbabwe has produced renowned producers like Brian Soko and Gobbla, as well as local talents Rayo Beats and DJ Tamuka. We often underestimate the cost of hiring these producers, which affects the overall quality of our music. Taking time to realize that Voltz and Holyten are probably the best blueprints for making it in ZHH. Note that "making it" is about more than just being good; consistency and level of output matter. Spending hundreds of dollars on producers like you're a trust fund baby is not a strategy that has worked. Don't get me wrong – I want better production – but if it affects your output, it's probably doing your career a disservice. On a related note, I hope we'll see more Brian Soko, Dakari, etc. productions in Zim Hip Hop. We're ready.

Structural and Performance Elements

Globally, artists have experimented with song structures, deviating from the traditional Verse-Chorus-Verse-Chorus-Verse-Bridge-Outro format. However, both Voltz and Holyten are skilled song makers, and their music's popularity attests to that. We live in a world where it costs the same to listen to A-Reece and Voltz. The fact that people are listening to Voltz is testament to the fact that he's connecting with the market. And music is mass communication.

Intangibles: The X-Factor of Artistic Success

Holyten and Voltz surpass A-Reece in this aspect. This might seem facetious, but it highlights my earlier point: compare Holyten to Cassper Nyovest, not A-Reece. Cassper has achieved greater impact in his market, and A-Reece cannot replicate the success of songs like 'Delilah' in his own market. He simply doesn't have the facilities; if he did, he would have done it.

In conclusion, context matters: South Africa's larger market and greater disposable income enable artists to invest more in their careers. This shouldn't be used to disparage Zimbabwean rappers who are excelling in their own right.

In further conclusion, comparing A-Reece to Holyten and Voltz is unfair and potentially damaging to ZHH's reputation. We should celebrate our local artists' unique strengths rather than unfairly pitting them against artists who are less impactful in their markets.

In my final conclusion: This is the greatest time it's ever been to be in Zim Hip Hop. There's something for everyone. Tap into your favorite bits of it. If A-Reece is your vibe, I promise you RayKaz has put out 50+ songs that you'll love."

Check out my recent interview with Voltz JT.