AS a poet I have been considerably drawn to the ambience of rappers. Of interest in my many musical projects I have had the privilege of having featured, and being featured by many rappers both well known in the mainstream as well as those in the underground circles.
In these collaborative experiences I have gotten to engage in conversations with quite a lot of them. They tell me stories, and the crux of their rap narratives. I am also compelled to always ask about their conscious side as this is the vibe that I like from rappers.
Conscious rap is a subgenre of hip-hop. It differs from most hip-hop songs as it promotes awareness of socio-political, economic and cultural issues. Other topic explorations within conscious rap include Afrocentricity, which means the problems facing everyday people, poverty, and religion.
Killemol is a rap duo which uses the power of their rap bars to promoteas consciousness in their rap music. This promotes unity and cultural diversity, and at theo same time promotes the use of native languages so as keep alive our diverse multi culturalism languages that we have in Zimbabwe.
Speaking to one of the members, Rodney Mpofu he highlighted that: “Killemol stands for the abolity to kill negative energy and any imprisonment of the mind, which many of the youth and even elders within our context suffer from. This is the movement that was born off the maturity of the mind and the realization of the self while accepting and being proud to be African”.
Rodney Mpofu also known as Ngadlangadla and Obey “Obby” Masihoro who constitute the Killemol duo use their mother's tongue in their music. With strong cultural backgrounds and goals to unify the people, King Rodney raps in IsiNdebele and Obby raps in ChiShona.
In other words, them being Killemol is the mirror of society and paints the picture of modern Africa in their music, since early high school, where they just started rapping together in 2015. It is of note that in their Killemol conscious rap musical vibe they have become more like cultural custodians of the native tongue, not only Ndebele and Shona but other African languages too as they seek to have a global audience.
“The desire to brutally address social ills and speak from a place of honesty and break down the walls of segregation of all forms drove us to the formation of the group. We realized that we were not being real by not rapping about the things that affect the regular man, woman and child. So in conversation and battle - when we met, we realized we had more in common than just bars,” Mpofu said.
- Sables secure Netherlands Test ahead of Rugby World Cup qualifiers
- Kadewere at a crossroads
- Village Secrets actress burial today
- Ukraine becoming an international centre for illegal arms trade
Keep Reading
Masihoro added: “The hunger to speak the truth brought us together and the fact that we had a mutual understanding of the music and society around us, which is heavily affected by its ills. We come from different backgrounds and tribes, and this has brought about a unity that would see us touch the best of both worlds.”
The members of Killemol also outlined how they address the issues that affect the mental health of men, which remains of relevance.
"In the past week we celebrated father’s day and this has seen the rise and increase in many dead beat fathers who do not give or take care of their children," Mpofu said.
“Well, most men go through the pressures of life, and growing up harshly in a society which puts all men in a box, they are all supposed to be the same, have this and that ,dress like this, and that everything is dictated. There is the common phrase being used nowadays which is “indoda must” pressuring many of the men to succumb to depression. If one doesn't match this, he feels pressure and they say men do not cry. One can't simply express how they feel. This explains why most men resort toheavy drinking to drown their sorrows, and also take other drugs and substances that can kill them.
“I think love needs to be taught in homes to young men and women while they are still kids not when they are older. Parents shouldn't press hard on kids to hate other people. People should spread love as it's the only way to deal with pain and all this gender based violence will stop”.
Masihoro said attention has been one sided favouring women, but now some men are starting to open up.
It's still a cultural taboo and a societal ill how men are supposed to be strong at all times and still be able to show weakness and vulnerability. It's going to take a generational while to overhaul people’s perceptions regarding the definition of gender based violence amongst the sexes.
A lot of men are not ready to expose themselves to come out as victims of gender based violence and other forms of abuse. Our law enforcement agents and the community at large needs to be receptive to such cases without judgment as that is the main reason why most men keep problems to themselves.
With regards to the challenges of being an artist Mpofu; highlighted how it was not an easy job because most people misunderstood the craft and how they carry themselves.
He said they are never home and are always performing, or they are in the studio cooking up new songs.
The band says they always have had a torrid time in the attempt to deal with tribalists and people that are still stuck up with the stigma of hating each other rather than loving each other.
“The advise we can give as Killemol to other artists, especially rappers is to be yourself. There are more than a thousand South Africans in South Africa that can do what you do and hundreds of thousands of Americans in America who can rap just like you and even better. The only thing that can make you stand out and stick out is honestly telling your story and being true to yourself and your surroundings. There is no one in the world that can tell your story better than you do. An original brand is the only thing that can cross borders, but if your story has already been told and your style already been felt, that makes you a replica or imitation and no one cares about that. Fascinate the world with your perception of the world and your version of the truth and you will be shocked how many people can relate," Mpofu said.
- Raymond Millagre Langa is musician, poet, orator, independent researcher and founder of Indebo edutainment Trust. You can follow on Face Book @Millagre Ray Langa, on Twitter you can follow on #Millagre Langa, email. millagrepapito@gmail.com or indebotrust@gmail.com.
