Zimdancehall to the rescue of politics in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwean urban music, particularly Zimdancehall, has usually skirted around political issues, but can it be a vehicle for valuable critical thought and free expression in Zimbabwe? Waza blogger Kundai Marunya believes so. His opinion is bolstered by one song in particular: musician Platinum Prince’s open letter to the president.

The other day, I heard a song playing in a kombi, and my heart jumped with both excitement and fear. It was called ‘Ndeip president’ (loosely translated: what’s up president) by Zimdancehall artist, Platinum Prince.

Many have criticized the Zimbabwean version of Jamaican dancehall music, often called Zimdancehall. Many people consider it vulgar, uncreative, and of low production quality. Platinum Prince, the musician behind the song, has always courted controversy, mostly from dissing fellow musicians and exposing backstage secrets in his music.

But this time, he went for the big guy: the president, whom he irreverently refers to as ‘Bhobho’, in an aberration of the moniker ‘Bob’.

Difficult questions

My heart jumped when I heard the lyrics, because Ndeip President articulates many of the questions young people in Zimbabwe would like to ask the president, while appreciating his legacy and giving him credit where it is due.

‘Look at the economy Mr President, ‘ he chants in urban Shona slang, ‘there are no jobs and I have hardly a cent. Have you been to Chitungwiza? Have you seen the sewage that’s flowing everywhere?’

The song, which is performed in the language and idiom of the ordinary person on the street, sparked an interesting discussion in the kombi I was in. It exposed our deep fear of speaking our minds in dread of both persecution and prosecution.

A fearful atmosphere

Some of my fellow passengers aired their worries that this was the end of the musician’s career; worries that he was to face litigation for ‘undermining the authority of the president’ under the Criminal Codification Act.

This is because even while free-speech is a right scribbled in our constitution, criticizing those in positions of power often lands one in trouble. There are several cases of those who disappeared because they were brave enough to stand up and voice their opinions.

So even as everyone in the kombi attested to the truthful representation of the current socio-economic situation, some prophesied the artist’s disappearance in the near future, just like the vocal journalist/ activist Itai Dzamara.

Liberation music

Since time immemorial music has played a major role in speaking out on the ills in society. Locally we can talk of Leornad Zhakata, Cde Chinx, Thomas Mapfumo and Oliver Mtukudzi, the list goes on. They managed to spread the flames of revolution and advocated the betterment of society with a flair that encouraged fellow revolutionaries to soldier on.

They slammed the colonial government for its failures and oppressive policies, ushering us into a free Zimbabwe. And then the promises and principles of the revolution were forgotten, and some of the music became noise to our ears.

Musicians kept their allegiance to ZANU PF and not to the people. Bootlicking and praise for poor policies eroded the respect we once held for them.

Those who kept their objectivity like Thomas Mapfumo became victims of the abuse of freedom of expression and at some point had to flee the country to save their lives.

New voices

For some time now, we the urban youth needed a voice to represent us, unafraid of the repercussions and strong enough to echo our issues.

Frustrations have risen high in Zimbabwe, to the point that our lives have become about mere survival. As the youth we feel let down. Most of my very educated peers remain jobless, while the few who have jobs are in constant fear of losing them.

The rising entrepreneurs face stern neo-liberal policies that block them from realizing profits. These are the problems we yearn to hear in the rising urban music.

The rise of Zimdancehall and hip hop were promising indicators of a free space of expression for the urban youth, but no one really stood out to oppose government policies and ideologies as is in these genres in other countries. This was until I heard Platinum Prince’s new song.

Healthy criticism

In our courts, many are tried for speaking out against the President while in several cases speaking out against a police officer can get you arrested for what they colourfully term ‘conduct’.

In a healthy society, criticism should be taken to improve the socio-economic situation and the general well-being of citizens.

When you are afraid to speak against those you voted into power who then can question their rule. Who then do they serve, their will or the people?

As I got off the kombi, I couldn’t help thinking that it’s time for our music to shout out and be the voice of a new Zimbabwean revolution; one that will see the young people of Zimbabwe speaking their mind.

Hopefully, Platinum Prince’s voice will not be silenced, or buried in the deluge of music that does nothing for the troubled Zimbabwean youth.

Waza is proud to feature as part of its content local bloggers who have a knack for expressing their unique perspectives, independent thoughts and engaging stories. The opinions expressed here are those of the author.