Awa to grace Commonwealth games
Mzoe7 in another ZBC TV Show hosting role
GERMANY-based hip-hop star, Awakhiwe Sibanda aka Awa continues to raise the country’s flag internationally as she is set to perform in the closing ceremony of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia.
Probably the high flying Awa will be the first female Zimbabwean rapper to perform in the famous Commonwealth Games slated for 15 April in Queensland
Her rise to fame was facilitated by her spectacular performance at the Shoko Festival and since then the vivacious hip-hop star has been touring around the world giving the best of her spectacular performances which has landed her a performance in Australia.
AWA will perform as part of the GRRRL band which is directed by Brazil’s Laima Leyton.
The band features an eclectic mix of seven fierce influential artistes from seven countries which include Zim’s Hip-hop Queen.
GRRRL is bespoke electronic music collaboration between independent, revolutionary women artistes from places of conflict brought together by In Place of War to tell their collective stories of life, conflict, inequality and change through electronic music and powerful vocals.
“GRRRL is a band which was formed by In Place of War which is made up of seven women from different countries and they choose me to represent Zimbabwe and I’m so honoured to be part of this amazing band which has brought out the best in me,” Awa said.
“My role in the band is rapping and I mostly rap using IsiNdebele so that I can be able to express myself and represent my country. I also dance and do backing vocals for others as well,” she said.
Speaking from Germany, the Nkayi-born rapper said she was happy to be representing her country in Australia as it has always been her life time dream to perform there.
“I am very happy to represent Zimbabwe and the Commonwealth games this year. I have never been to Australia before so I am sure this will be an amazing experience and I will do my best to represent my people and our culture,” she said.
The vivacious hip hop star said she is ready to raise her profile in Europe and make an impact through her music.
“Last year we recorded an album together and we did a tour in the United Kingdom where we headlined some of the biggest festivals such as Freedom Festival, Greenbelt and we were voted the best musical act at Shambala Festival. This year we are ready to dominate in the Commonwealth games and make a mark,” she shared.
The Commonwealth Games (known as the British Empire Games from 1930-1950) is a multi-sport international event which, like the Olympics, is held every four years and they are considered third largest multi-sport event in the world after the Olympics. AFTER effectively hosting season two of the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation television show called Star Maker last year, Mzobanzi “Mzoe7” Mlauzi seems to be successfully charming television audiences as he has landed another TV show hosting role.
Titled Dance Vault, the show captures all types of dances found in Zimbabwe and is aired every Monday at 6pm. The first episode of the show premiered last week. Mzoe7 thanked the state owned company for trusting in his abilities as a TV host and vowed to make his employers proud.
“It’s an honour to work for my country not only as a musician but as a TV personality as well. It’s a dream come true to be working with the ZBC team and I’m determined to deliver my best in the show. I also thank God for walking with me in my downfalls. He is the reason I’m happy today,” he said.
However, the same luck that has seen Dola bag hit maker being given the opportunity to host another TV show has not fallen him in music circles. Mzoe7 has released hit after hit but is yet to win an award. He has been nominated in many music awards but has still walked away empty handed.
Mzoe7 started being a nominee in 2015 when he was nominated for the song of the year gong for his hit I cry too. This was followed by last year’s successful Bulawayo Arts Awards in which he was also nominated for song of the year award for the hit Ingoma with Sandra Ndebele. He was also nominated for Best Male Artiste award on the same awards in which he was eventually beaten by hip hop star, Cal_Vin.
Many people believed that the Vuzu hit maker who was nominated for four categories namely Song of the Year gong for Ingoma hit, best collaborated song, Best Dance Song for KwasaKwasa track and best Metro song would finally leave the renowned City Hall Venue victorious in last year’s Skyz Metro FM Awards.
However, that was not the case as history repeated itself when Mzoe7 yet again witnessed his rivals bag awards while sitting as a mere member of the audience. The Babes Wemonthend hit maker said despite failing to scoop any gongs he was determined to continue sharing his music to the world.
“I can’t be mad each time I fail to win. This simply means I didn’t do better than my colleagues. This actually motivates me to work extra hard. You learn more from losing than winning. You learn how to keep going and remain optimistic that the day of winning will arrive. Being a nominee is not a sign of failure but shows that I’m among Bulawayo’s top stars that are contributing immensely in the development of music,” he said. @NcubeBhekumuzi