Its no secret that 2020 was a dark year for the world at large, we lost friends and family to covid and we’re still trying to find our footing in the new normal however for zimhiphop 2020 was different filled with bitter sweet moments here’s a run down of some of events that shaped zimhiphop in 2020.

The Gze and Noble styles beef / battle, without getting into the politics of the dispute, these two men managed to keep my data juiced as they exchanged verbal blows on wax, infact the whole country stood still as they went back and forth, their story dominated airwaves and social media. It sparked fierce debates about lyricism, character and integrity even comedian Carl Joshua got sucked in. Both Gze and Noble managed to bury the hatchet however we are grateful to them for breathing life into the culture and promoting the genres visibility.

Just when we thought the battle was the only highlight we had to look forward to enter Holy Ten with ndaremerwa even though he had been around for a while this was the song that put the deep rapsy voiced rapper into the limelight. Ndaremerwa spread across multiple social media platforms and many people connected with it on a personal level once again z hip hop had us shook showing off the power of good story telling. He went on to release ghetto rangu and mwana ndakubirai which have carried on his contribution to 2021

Just as we were still processing ndaremerwa Karizma came through with Already even though it was released as a freestyle I don’t he knew the kind of reach and impact the track would have. I discovered already in a whatsapp group I’m in it had been shared by a guy who isn’t even a hip hop head that’s when I knew it was a sure winner. It shed a lot of light on zimbos daily struggle and connected with the masses strengthening the cultures conscious voice.

Then a lighter moment struck when minister mahendere dropped the serendipity rap on the Nash TV special laughable yes given that he was rapping the actual definition of serendipity at that point i couldn’t help but notice the cultures influence.

After enjoying the light moment tragedy struck as news of the death of the luveve boy Calvin hit us all. Calvin will always be remembered for his outspokeness and love for the city of kings. Calvin was also the only local rapper to have  received a cosign from SA’s cassper nyovest. 

Enter Asaph who seemed to pick up from where Calvin left off. Every track and feature Asaph was involved in, in 2020 slapped! Which is why he will repping us at the MTV awards.

Speaking of world stages king 98 scored a major point for the country with his diamond platinum feature I’m not going to lie when king 98 stepped on the scene I had a hard time making out what his strategy was going to be but now it’s making sense . Visibility for the country is a huge plus for the genre

Van Choga had to be the most talked about artist of 2020 for various reasons, however the young man showed us that there is a method to the madness when he came through with a hip hop joint on nashtv riddim. No one saw that coming and most people were saying they like him more as a rapper than a dancehall artist I think we can have both.

After the publics outcry for an album Awa came through with a single ng eke bengimele proving she is not to be messed with and can take out your favorite emcee!

There are a couple of elements I feel have made it work for zim hip hop last year like collaboration, this has allowed for a unique sound and the ability to tap into other audiences that are not hip hop heads, 

Visuals, unlike in the past zimhiphop has been releasing multiple good quality videos

Image, the newbies have managed to develop an image which really works well for their look.