Zimbabwe loves Ice Prince!!!

ZIMBABWE LOVES ICE PRINCE!!!!

Hey guys, I thought I would give you some news, Ice Prince is coming to Zimbabwe, yes you read that correctly. The "Oleku" star confirmed this on twitter (@Iceprincezamani) and he said he was so excited about it. He will be performing on the 29th of December 2012 at Fusion Bar, Borrowdale Racecourse. I must say I am pretty excited about this whole show, I might not be in Zim at the moment but I am excited for you all who are going to see Ice Prince. I would take the time to type the prices, where to get the tickets and everything else but they are clearly stated on the picture attached in this post so I guess I will talk about something else.


I should at least mention the other people performing on that night, we have Tehn Diamond, Jnr Brown, songstress Cindy , Kapital K (whose T.O.S.O.M album is currently on my everyday playlist), S.A based Buffalo Souljah and many more. The rest of the featuring people can be found on the picture above as well.

The one thing that has gotten me more excited about the Ice Prince show is that Tehn Diamond is performing there. If you have listened to Tehn's SOTG3 you would know the Oleku(freestyle) very well ( I do) and I remember him saying that Ice Prince's "Oleku" song was his "December in Zim 2011" track and now its December in Zim 2012 and he is doing an opening act at an Ice Prince show. Coincidence or Fate?? I still remember one of my first twitter conversations with Tehn Diamond, I said "Just for future reference, Oleku means Strong". I guess that comes in handy on the 29th at the Ice Prince Show.

So quick Yoruba (Nigerian language) 101 --> Ice Prince has a few of his song titles in Yoruba and I will save you the effort of googling and tell you what it means
** Oleku (means Strong)   - Ice Prince ft. Brymo
**Olofofo (means Gossip) - Ice Prince ft Wizkid
**Aboki (means Friend)    - Ice Prince

Just in conclusion, Ice Prince is brought to you by Ruolay Agency which is based in Cape Town, South Africa

Hope you enjoy this once in a lifetime opportunity :)

Peace
Xxx

So as I promised to give you more details about the awards since I am
finally sure that they have a high probability of happening.

They are on the 12th of December 2012 (exactly a week from now) at
7Arts Theatre, Avondale, Harare. Tickets are going for $10(standard)
and $20 (V.I.P), (with such prices, they best be giving freebies LOL)
and the tickets are available at Controse, Goldtech and Alliance
Francaise (HRE).

Performances to look forward to at the event : Jnr Brown (one of my
favourite people and love the way he raps in Shona), Karizma (the dude
with the Tsvarakadenga song), Maskiri (well we all know him and I'm a
big fan), Yoz (who is nominated for Best New Comer) and Kasilunatics
(from Bulawayo).

About the dress code well I don't know, it best be Red Carpet though.
So get your dancing shoes on and be there or Be there :)

Luv.

December In Zim

Hey guys, just thought I would share some stuff with you. If you
happen to follow people like @TehnDiamond, @DannyThatGuy, etc. You
would have come across the hashtag #DecemberInZim or #DIZ, I kinda
just concluded that it means making the most of the month of December
while you in Zim, like party hard and make being in Zim during the
festive season fun.

If you have listened to Tehn Diamond's Oleku (Freestyle) from his
album, #SOTG3 he says, "I don't know the way out I only know in, so if
you say Tehn its December in Zim" and I was hoping they would make a
December in Zim playlist this year and luckily one of Zim's finest
producers, @ProGIsTheName will be. dropping a DIZ Mix ProG style
TODAY!!!! (And I'm so excited, 'cause I was hoping to get a DIZ
playlist).

Yesterday on Twitter, @ProGIsTheName revealed some of the artists who
will be featured in his mix, "#DIZProGMix tomorrow features:
@thatDuTch \@TehnDiamond \@jnrbrown263 \ @SimbaTagz
\ @_Radiofiend \ @TRKmusik_ \ Roki \ King
Shaddy and @incrediblemU \
Ammunition Girls \ @The_Kapitalist \ @McChita \
Brown Sugah \ May-J \ P-Square \ @reverb7" Trust me, this is just the
ultimate DIZ playlist with most of my favourite Zim artists so don't
miss it :)

And in other news, seems like the Zim Hip Hop Awards are still on
despite all the things that have gone wrong in the preparation but
they will be held on the 12th of December at 7 Arts Theatre, Avondale,
Harare. Details to follow in my next post.

Feel free to share your December in Zim events, makes the experience
better and thanx to the people who came up with the whole
DecemberInZim thing, but next year it needs to be bigger, covering all
of Zim and not just Harare.

Peace.

Meet Zim producer, Shayzar Zimanyi!!!!

Hey y'all, since I am back, I have to share with you the little
interview I did with Shayzar Zimanyi ( a producer), I just have to say
something and don't worry you do have the right to quote me, "I think
Shayzar is amazing", hope you will think the same but here is how it
went. I asked the usual questions I ask to producers and this post
just tells you what he says.

Tess :So what kinda of music do you produce and what inspires you??
Shayzar : I mainly produce hip hop and rnb,but i do dancehall and pop
as well. My strength is in mixing and mastering though...my flavour
of hip hop has a lot of classical orchestral, wind instruments
and percussion,mostly with semi "live" feel. Every song i do has
to carry emotions and full complete chords,blah blah blah so I
take my time into a single track,a lot of boom bap,90 s swing
vibe,acoustic elements,those are my favourite kind of beats i like
to make!
Tess : That sounds pretty amazing, so which artists have you produced
for (that is if you can remember them all)
Shayzar : Woow,produced for almost the entire crop of zim
rappers and artists....I have produced for a really wide range of
artists all over the world such as Carlprit,Tk paradza,q
rigga,Black bird,Dj Naida,Metaphysics,Roki,Willis
wattafi,Cindy,Ranel williams, fio,Mariachi,Alka,J boss,Crook
ave,South African artists such as Gigi la mayne and
Sisiyanti,worked with American producers such as Amerie and
Master P's producer Riley Urick, Atlantic records dee rocc,and
before I forget Synik,Tehn Diamond,Munetsi,P.O.Y, Samantha
Voice,Diana,Pauline,Mafriq,etc they would kill me,lol!and
I'm currently formulating a new fusion of music called electro ngura with some
of our sungura artists and rappers....
Tess : Gosh dude, are you trying to fill up my whole blog with the
list of people you have worked with. I must say your list is
impressive though. So the last question, let's say someone comes to
you and they want you to produce for them but they are no good, what
would you do?

Shayzar : There is no such
thing as good to me,lol.....I have faith in whatever i put my talent
into,no matter how crappy,i will find a way to make it work,lol!

Tess: Thanx for the response and its been fun getting to know what you do :)

So I guess that is it all...and if you still don't think this guy is
amazing then we not on the same page.

You can catch him on Facebook: Shayzar Zimanyi
Twitter : @Shayzar

That is it for now...do let me know what you think of this post by
commenting on this post or twitter : @TheRoyalTee

Hey, Hey

Hey y'all..so sorry I have been M.I.A. but I am back to keep you
updated on the happenings of the Zim Music industry and some upcoming
artists as well, so keep checking this site.

Love, love...lots of love
Tess

"Love is evol" says Simba Tags and Tehn Diamond

Hey guys, hope you are all well. So I couldn't sleep because I was trying to find the link to a song by Tags and Tehn Diamond called "Love don't love me", the last time I tried to download it, my phone was being silly and it only downloaded like 30seconds of the song which sucks because the song sounded very promising. After an hour of typing in wrong things on the internet, I finally found it (link below).

"Love don't love me" is a song from their latest project called L.I.E (Love is Evol)...totally love the name of the project :  the whole idea of "love" spelt backwards to get "evol" and "evol" is very close to "evil". From the title of the project you can already kinda guess that it is going to be about relationships, things that complicate them and how people end up hurt etc. So I had heard a rumour that for this project they started a facebook group and invited a select number of women to participate in a "survey" in which they asked questions and they used the responses to come up with songs for the project, pretty cool and well-thought out, including the "fans" in their project.

This project for me reflects that rappers also have feelings and they do get hurt as well (that Drake kinda vibe going on) but that is besides the point. So far I have heard about 3songs from this project : "Love don't love me", "Love is evol" and "Good math". Talk about fresh beats and that young vibe, actually doesn't sound as depressing as this whole love situation. "Good math" has been getting a considerable amount of air play and it was produced by F.T.R, a producer from Blowhard Records. "Love is evol", the song named after the project, one of my favourite songs.. I particularly love how this girl is described, "She was amazing in a way that only stars are when they shine.." talk about about beautiful lyrics, make me smile all the time. It only gets sad when we approach the chorus :( I am in love with this project though.

I really can't wait to hear more of it. If you haven't listened to some of the songs then you need to visit the links below :

Love don't love me----> http://hu.lk/mnf4t623yalk

Love is Evol           ----> http://www.hulkshare.com/mxmrsj2xcgl3/11

Good Math             ---->  http://www.reverbnation.com/open_graph/song/12579253

Hope you like, 'cause I do. Evidently these guys are doing good, if you also think so do let them know on Twitter ----> @SimbaTagz and @TehnDiamond

Until next post, let's stay in touch...do comment on the post or mention me on twitter @TheRoyalTee to give feedback.

Behind the music : Zim Producers

Hey y'all, so I have noticed that half the time when we talk about music, we often forget the key role players in the making of the music, the producers. They are the people mind the scenes that make the music happen and often they go unnoticed, so yours truly has decided to dedicate one post to the producers per month. In this post, I will feature 3 or 4 producers and basically I will ask them a set of questions and the post will be made up of their responses (such FUN!!)...So let's get started.

This month's candidates are (drumroll please!!!) : Take Fizzo(Take5), Russo, Reverb7 and F.T.R. I have personally listened to the work by these men and they know what they are doing. I asked each one of them the following questions :
1.) What kind of music do you produce?
2.)Name a few artists you have produced for
3.) Scenario question : If a person really sucks as an artist and they want you to produce their music, would you do it???

RUSSO

1.)I produce every type of music.....jazz, r'n'b, hip hop, dancehall, house etc.

2.)I have worked with Nox,Exq,Mcdee,Diana Samkange,Cindy,Sniper,Stunner etc..

3.)Well it depends on what level of no good..pane mumwe anengesingagone(there is someone who might not be good) but I will use my experience kuti zvibude zvichisounder zviri (so that it comes out sounding better) then mumwe wekuti unotoshaya pekutangira (then there is someone who doesn't even know where to start),that one hapana zvandokwanisa kuita naye (that one there is nothing I can do)

 
F.T.R (Futuristic)

1.) I mainly produce Hiphop and R&B. I have also ventured into Dancehall,Dance, House and other mainstream genre's to cater for the various artists I work with.
I am inspired by real life and all the emotions we encounter daily. I channel these into my craft.
2.) I've produced for MC Chita, Synik, Karizma, Cindy Munyavi, Tia and Davina Green, to name a few.
3.) I would not intially produce for an artist whose no good but I would advise them on how they can improve or better their craft e.g. vocal training. Once they're in a better standing, am willing to re-evaluate my position.
My productions can be found on:
www.reverbnation.com/blowhardrecords OR
www.reverbnation.com/ftr
Contact: ftristic22@yahoo.com

REVERB7
1. I produce hip hop and a little bit of rnb. But I'm currently focusing on house music. I get inspiration from all over the place. But, DJ Kent's album, "I Cant Survive" first inspired me to make house music. Now i appreciate every sub-genre of house.
2. I have worked with Simba Tagz, O-25, That Dutch, G.O.R.E, Courtney Rusike, Fungai Nengare, Vimbai Mutinhiri, MC Chita, Davina Green, Synik, Tehn Diamond and a few other artists.
3. I would tell you that it isn't for you, but I would still produce and try my best to help you improve as an artist, it is not my place to kill dreams, but i will be honest.

Reverb7 is also an artist and recently released a song called Honai (recently did a post on it)


TAKE FIZZO
1.I produce mainly hip hop, r'n'b and dancehall, although I'm experimenting with Afro trying to come up with a distinct internationally viable Zimbabwean sound.
2. Mainly all the successful Urban Grooves artists, Tehn diamond, Jnr brown, Jah seed from Bongo maffin, and many more
3.No! I'm a perfectionist, and a professional, I won't do it.

One of Take Fizzo's latest production is a song by Jnr Brown called Madrinks, the song is insane. (link below)
-->http://soundcloud.com/jnr-brown/madrinks-jnr-brown-prod-by?utm_source=soundcloud&utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=twitter&utm_content=http://soundcloud.com/jnr-brown/madrinks-jnr-brown-prod-by

I guess that marks the end of the first post of our Zim producers, so next time you listen to a song, do appreciate the producer as while because they are the reason Zim music is thriving. And ooh these guys are easy to find (hint hint...) Facebook is always the best place to look for people.
 Now the question is : who is my favourite of the 4producers above?? .....Take a guess........

Do give me some feedback Y_zia??
Either by commenting on this post or catch me on twitter @TheRoyalTee


***Side-Thing : On an unrelated note, I am running for Miss October 2012 Face of Zimbabwe and please do vote for your girl ---> http://www.faceofzimbabwe.com/contestant_details.php?cnt_id=3513 ***

Thank you for reading the post, hope it was useful. Tobatana palater!!!

"Honai" - The latest from Reverb7

Hey guys, just thought I would give you a quick update on what is happening on the Zim music scene. Reverb7 recently dropped a new single, Honai. So we just going to go through a few things, what is a "Reverb7", what are my thoughts on "Honai" and if I do recommend you to listen to it. So keep reading.

Reverb7 is not a what but a who (gotcha!!), I would refer to him as a man of many talents in relation to music. He is one of the producers at Showtime Records, producing both hip hop and r'n'b, has a hip hop mixtape to his name and is also about that house music, evidence from his latest song and the mixes he has done in the past.

"Honai" is a house song that features O-25, it speaks of a rebellious child, just pointing out that I listen to both lyrical content and the beat ofcourse and in this case, I was impressed at both levels. My response to it was and still is "I love it : house beat + meaningful lyrics in the same song" and I hear it is already making waves on ZiFM stereo as expected.

So now question is "Do I recommend??" - You bet I do. Gets a thumbs up from me.

Now all you need to do is download it (For FREE) --->http://afro-mp3.com/music/reverb7-ft-o-25-honai/
and share with the world. Happy listening :)

Do give us some feedback. Y_zia??
Twitter - @reverb7
FB       -   http://www.facebook.com/reverb7    

***Side-Thing : On an unrelated note, I am running for Miss October 2012 Face of Zimbabwe and please do vote for your girl ---> http://www.faceofzimbabwe.com/contestant_details.php?cnt_id=3513 ***

Thanks for taking time out to read this <3

Zim Hip Hop's Superwoman : Trae Yung

Hey y'all. It's a new month (my birthday month to be exact, almost 21...Yaay). But that is not the point of this post, this month we also celebrate Trae Yung's birthday. Okay I see that confused face, that was me about a  month ago, I didn't know who Trae Yung is but trust me I was at a loss that time.

So half the time when we think Hip hop, we think male species but here is the twist, Trae Yung is "flying high" in the male dominated industry which is very impressive. I was almost tempted to label her as a new artist (which would be a lie). She is not new to the music industry, having won the Zim Hip Hop award for best female rapper in 2011, being featured in African FemMCs Volume 1 mixtape and also with her song "I will" that is currently rocking the local charts. There is no doubt that she is going to go far.

So now to the songs that I love from her, first up woud be "Flying high/ Superwoman" which gets me thinking, why settle for ordinary when you can be better than that and this was one of her very first songs. Then comes her biggest hit so far (according to me that is) "I will" if you haven't it on radio then shame for you, and then her latest song "Nziyo" has a really cool beat and Shona lyrics. I promise you that she makes Shona sound divine and ooh it's a love song, just my kinda thing. Did i mention that she has her own intro phrase "It's you girl Trae Yung" which makes her music identifiable(Too cool)

On another level she seems to be an amazing, passion driven person (can't wait to meet her) and she is in the tourism industry which proves that she is willing to excel in more than one area in her life. She definitely headed for the sky.

if you wanna get in on what she has to offer :                   
http://soundcloud.com/user2940177
www.reverbnation.com/traeyung

You can also follow her on Twitter : @traeyung

For more Zim music updates, you can subscribe to this blog, follow me on twitter (@TheRoyalTee) or check out my Facebook page (That Zim Diva)

And feel free share links to some cool Zim music with me but for now,Caio!!!

Rapping that Shoko at the SHOKO FESTIVAL!!!

Hey guys, so I thought I would share with you one of the biggest eventscoming soon in Zim (too bad I can't attend in person but I will be there in spirit), this is the Shoko Festival that will be from 18- 23 September 2012 (best mark it on your calender). So who would like to take a wild guess on what the festival is about, any takers??? Maybe this might help.

"...Boy rapping the shoko. You don’t
feel my vibe, you gon feel my smoke
yo. Feel my vocal, along this local
instrumental.."
Anoti by M.I. (One of the hottest rappers in Nigeria)

So as expected "Shoko" means "word " in most languages. So it's basically a Festival of Words and the beautiful thing is that it doesn't just focus on Zimbabwe but it focuses on diversity and cultural enlighten. It also brings into persepective the different forms of art that come in the form of words which include but are not limited to : poetry, films, live concerts and recordingsand artist debates. What better inspiration would you need?? and the thing about words is that they give a greater meaning to life as you all know that words can make or break a person and also that words are powerful.

So now i am hoping you interested in who is going to be performing, we have the likes of Synik, Tehn Diamond, Carl Joshua Ncube, Mandisa (South Africa), Natty (UK) to just mention a few

For the full line-up of artists visit  :  http://shokofestival.com/lineup/ and also the unique thing about Shoko is that it happens in different venues (for your convenience).
Hope this article has been of use to you.

Do share your views and opinions by commenting on this post, mentioning me in your tweet (@TheRoyalTee) or post on my facebook page, www.facebook.com/ThatZimDiva
                             

Synik's Recipe for Classic Material : Syn City!!!

So in my intro I promised that I would be bringing to you a review of Synik's Syn City. This is most probably the most talked about album currently and if you don't know about it it's probably because you have been living in a cave. Now I think I am supposed to tell you what I like about this album but there is only one problem I don't like this album, I LOVE it . Nowadays we hear most American rap is full of swear words, girls, cars and money but has no substance but this Zim Stuff is on point.

Syn City reflects a deep, genuine and personal side of Gerald "Synik" Mugwenhi. I promise you this guy might be the solution to all world problems, bringing about World Peace...it addresses poverty, oppression, racial issues, family issues, corruption and even electricity problems lol. Basically listening to this album tells you his life story and it's like having a date with the man himself. Maybe you don't get what I am saying so let me lay it down, This is his life story, he is currently 28years old, did his first proper CD about 4years ago, he grew up in Kwekwe and later on moved to Harare where he currently stays in a "shady" block in the Avenues, he recently quit his 8-5 job to focus on his music career and he is currently in an inter-racial relationship (Sorry Ladies!!) and ask me how I know all this it's because I listened to Syn City. Yes, it is that personal.

So to my favourite songs, "Syn City" which is the title of the album and the song that has the 3D video (Cool huh?), it basically speaks about how this unique rapper thrives in the City he is living in which is Harare, I love the afro-beat (well, mbira and stuff) and the female voice that sings in vernacular. Next on my list is "Before Dawn", I will admit that before I listened to this song, I was already excited because I have listened to Tehn Diamond before, and the one thing I love about this song is the message behind it, that even when things aren't going well there is still hope and the poetic piece by Aura the Poet sends one into deep thought about life.
Then we have the master-piece "Power Cut", I guess we all know that power cuts are so common and half the time we are so frustrated when the electricity goes, but seems these guys are not. I mean they are having a party during the power cut. My favourite part is obviously Synik's verse and the story about Timmy, "Generator riri tii asi hapana dhiziri tatuma Timmy tamuudza kuti dzoka kwikiri" and there is also the appearance of  some of Zim's finest MCs that is Metaphysics, MC Chita and Jnr Brown.
Next is the love song, "Losing Sleep", I was really moved by the love they share, and how they have to deal with inter-racial issues and also long distance and trust me this story is real, like as real as it gets it (I did confirm this with Synik himself). Last but not least "Walk with me", It makes me feel a part of what he stands for, to take the journey with him and understand where he is coming from and it tells of how this idea was formulated over cappucinos and how the music industry is a family. He really did a great job.

Listening to this album was a privilege, he sure is greatness in the making. And not forgetting one of the most important people in the making of this album, Begotten Sun (the producer) who Synik has referred to as a "Hip hop Elder". it was a job well executed.

So if you haven't listened to it, you can download the album for free at www.thisissynik.com and follow Synik on Twitter @synikzim. Also follow me @TheRoyalTee to keep up to date with some Zim Music.

"Here is a product I can speak to defend.....Classic Material I think we got the recipe" - Synik : "Walk with me"

The Intro...

I guess every story has its own beginning, and this one begins with me, a young Zimbabwean girl named Tessa who is super patriotic, currently studying in Cape Town but still I follow all the aspects of the upcoming Zimbabwean artists back home. But wait, this story is not about me, this is about Zim music, upcoming artists et cetera....So what inspired me to start this, guess the conversation below might explain something but maybe not everything but the conversation made me realize that there are other people like me out there who are interested in the new music in Zim but have nobody to deliver the news to them which is where I come in to be the News Reporter....

"Tessa Mahata ‏@TheRoyalTee

I hate being behind on the Zim music scene...so anyone wanna tell me who @synikzim is??? And yes I did watch @NafunaTV's episode3

Synik ‏@synikzim

@TheRoyalTee hey... youre not that behind. you can catch up by downloading and listening to my album on http://www.thisissynik.com 

  Tessa Mahata ‏@TheRoyalTee

@synikzim yaay, I got myself something to listen to tonight..and since its personal, that means I got me a date with Synik lol

  Synik ‏@synikzim

@TheRoyalTee hehe. you sure do!!! im excited. lol "

So I have started listening to Synik's Syn City ad would advise that you do the same, it's insane and as a matter of fact I am working on a review for it for my next post...

...But until then  I'm out.

Peace...