Peter Tanyanyiwa
Breaking away from the stereotypical Zimbabwean Hip Hop artist – typified by ‘beefs’ and boastful lyrics – female MC SIBO has flipped the script to partner with GAPWUZ (General Agriculture and Plantation Workers’ Union of Zimbabwe) and 3F, (Denmark’s largest and most powerful trade union and unemployment fund) to do a song for Zimbabwean farmers on International Workers Day.
The song features with another local rap artist, T-ShoC.
SIBO is managed by KOSHA Management.
Hot off her #LyricFridays campaign, which featured other local artists, ProBeats, NAMA awarded rapper TiGonzi, and fellow KOSHA Managed brand – Denim Woods – SIBO brings some well thought out lines to the song.
Titled “Raramo” the song is an expression of unity in Zimbabwe and confrontation to the discrimination that is prevalent. This song is a tribute to all farm workers in Zimbabwe, and with social issues and COVID-19 driving the news cycle, SIBO dared to wade into new waters.
Hip Hop as a genre has proven to have social significance and it has typically acted as an outlet and voice for the marginalized communities and low-income families, as the rap culture echoes the social, economic and political realities of their lives.
SIBO wanted to join the movement and be the voice of an underrepresented group, Zimbabwe’s farmers.
In her song; farmers are encouraged to work together and support each other, as well as join the workers union.
The song highlights the challenges that farmers face considering the current economic hardships in Zimbabwe as well as COVID-19.
SIBO is thereby seen taking part in a calling to guide and support members of GAPWUZ in these difficult times.
“The song is a reminder that farmers matter. Agriculture is the backbone, everyone needs to eat, and we need to be more aware of their challenges,” said SIBO.
Shoko Festival, in partnership with Magamba Network, Zimbabwe’s leading creative organisation, approached SIBO to engage with this project.
Asked why she did a song for GAPWUZ, SIBO said:
“I took part because agriculture is important for the economy, now more than ever.
“COVID-19 has shown us how connected we are in many ways as the world has ground to a halt but also how vulnerable global supply chains are. We need to do better locally.”
SIBO is currently working on her debut single, to be released this summer through her management arrangement with KOSHA.