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Mudiwa Mtandwa

Yeukai Karengezeka Entertainment Reporter
It was a double scoop for the flamboyant rapper Mudiwa Mtandwa who scooped the People’s Choice Award and the Best Video Award for his sizzling video “10/10” at Zim Hi-hop Awards held at the 7 Arts Theatre on Wednesday night. The award for the Best Album went away with the rising stars, Few Kings.

Songbird Ammara Brown shed tears when she was presented with her late mother Chiwoniso Maraire’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
The Best Artiste Award went to Tehn Diamond, Best Newcomer Award was given to Marques, whilst the Song of the Year was taken by Junior Brown.

Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Deputy Minister Supa Mandiwanzira, Tourism Minister Walter Mzembi and former Miss Zimbabwe Mary Chiwenga were granted shields of appreciation.

The Zimbabwe Hip-hop Awards were in their third edition and each winner received a statuette called the “Fist”.
However, organisers of the awards spent the greater part of the event appealing for funding and appreciation for their efforts.
Zim Hip-hop organiser Aldrain “Beefy” Harrison called for fans to rally behind local hip-hop artistes.

“I can safely say the hip-hop genre in Zimbabwe is fast becoming a big thing on the local music fraternity.
“The hip-hop movement, however, has succumbed to serious obstacles financially, but we are still praying for the best.

“It is my wish and zeal to see Zimbabwean hip-hop artistes being treated in the same manner as dancehall artistes who are seemingly promoters’ favourites,” he said.

Guest of honour and former Miss Zimbabwe queen Mary Chiwenga (nee Mubaiwa) also challenged the corporate world to support and invest in Zimbabwean hip-hop as the genre has potential.

“Zim hip-hop has potential to take over, but only if the youngsters get the much needed support from the corporate world.
Hip-hop is continuously growing every year, slowly but surely it is taking over the airwaves and it tells stories that are unique to the urban youths,” she said.

She added that ZHHA is a platform that generates employment for the youths and enabled them to be the masters of their own destiny.