Top 10 HIP HOP meets DANCEHALL moments in Zimbabwean music

Hip hop and dancehall, two genres born from underground movements, have traversed similar paths to global acclaim, facing parallel struggles for mainstream acceptance and artistic integrity.

Let’s get straight to it. Riddims and Raps, the platform carries a basic and sufficiently spelt out jurisdiction. The philosophy can be demonstrated using a template which is within everyone’s reach – the music. The list comprises of music where artists from hip hop have made bangers in collaboration with dancehall artists in Zimbabwe!

NB: Not arranged in any order (simply what was there at the time of writing)

Scrip Mula - DIFFERENT ft Poptain & Nutty O.

Different is a song from Scrip Mula’s album Scripian 11. The album featured various artists with hip hop contributing more. Scrip is a renowned rapper, producer as well as CEO of Mula Nation. Bringing two of the hottest dancehall artists at the time to his table is testimony of his revered acumen and amplifies the message of cross-genre collaborations.

Master H – DHANZI ft Voltz JT.

A chart topper! This is arguably Master H’s biggest record. With JT shelving one of the best verses in 2024, hip hop has its chest out to boast that they put Master H on to the new generation of music listeners who have proven to lean towards the genre more. In return and grand scheme of things, Master H brought out Bling 4, Kikky Badass and Voltz JT on his set whilst performing at this year’s REDEFINED concert by Gateway Media Stream at the HICC.

DJ CHRXN – HOLAN ft Bryn Many, Gze, Anita Jaxson, Poptain.

Kudos to the curator Dj Chrxn for unearthing this gem from the paddocks of good music that never flourished. Holan had Mclynebeats in its first phase before GZE, Anita and Poptain brought the heat. It is a commendable composition of hip hop and dancehall energies. The room when the song was recorded is true manifestation of the sound which represents, in general, the direction which we can take as a country to have a sound of our own identity.

Bling 4 – ZVICHITIBHOHWA ft Silent Killer.

All eyes today are on what Bling 4 will do in follow up to his ‘top 4 ndirimo’ declaration! The youthful rapper unleashed a whole Ngwere on a hip hop bounce. What many people did not realize from the onset was that Silent Killer had his way to the hearts of Zimbabweans. It could have easily been the most atrocious feature in the history of music but if you have any doubts of the impact it made, be the DJ who spins the next song before Zvichitibhowa gets to the last verse!

Holy Ten – TIME ft Dhadza D.

At this point Holy Ten’s grip on the scene was firm. He dropped one of the most anticipated albums ‘Risky Life 1’ in 2021. The song TIME featured energetic chanter Dhadza D ‘Mr Press Gas’ and we were reminded that even at the helm of hip hop kingship, the kids from zimbabwe have always loved dancehall.

Voltz JT - MAKURUWANI ft Nutty O.

On this list, these are our repeat offenders! They could have known a little earlier than everyone that these genres are like uncommon bedfellows and coexistence is the way. Makuruwani is a semi-ode to Soul Jah Love’s legacy. Voltz Jt and Nutty O flexed their songwriting skills exhibiting profound knowledge of the streets and its lingo.

Guspy Warrior – NDADHAKWA ft Jnr Brown.

I simply wanted to sneak in this gem. Guspy Warrior’s discography has multiple features including a collaborative album ‘Undisputed’ with Dhadza D. In that album is the song Ndadhakwa which features heavy spitting Breezy. They went back and forth with great verses and hence we felt this inclusion convincingly necessary.

Malcolm Mufunde – DORO ft Dancehall Kedha.

The only reason why Malcom Mufunde is not the biggest artist around is that the majority of music listeners are not easily pleased with who is doing it at level best. We are willing to die on a hill telling the world of this rapper’s pen game. His track Doro featuring Dancehall Kedha could have been a breakout single had Malcom really wanted it. That is a discussion we do not intend to ignite right now, we are here strictly for the vibes this song has. A must check out.

Prosper Fi Real – DOLLAR SIGN ft Bagga.

First it was the snippet of this song which had the dancehall online streets on chokehold. Of course we do not explain why songs were not hits in real life also. How could we know? Dollar sign was a massive hustler’s anthem. We are just certain of what Bagga can bring to a song these days, his all. He swerved on a dancehall song as if that is his primary genre. Dollar Sign reminds us that the main meal is served on one table despite the guests having well-articulated differences.

Winky D – DREAMS ft Saintfloew.

On the night that Winky D brought out Saintfloew on his album launch, I could have lived my greatest ever night. One can stand in an argument affirming of the Bigman’s hip hop traits which stretch to as early as 2010s. He is at the top today because he can be trusted with our biggest contemporary music elements – dancehall and hip hop. Dreams to secure the future of hip hop on a big night in Zimbabwe fulfilled in our faces.

Have we left some beautiful moments of history? Whilst chances are high it is the case, which is the room we have in the comment section for the court of public opinion to have its judgment. Kindly serve us the fire with your suggestions and remember to subscribe on this platform to receive newsletters directly from us. It is absolutely free!