Hip Hop’s leading voices such as Soko Matemai, ASAPH, GZE and Michael Chiunda are among a host of talented artists on the latest Pungwe Sessions Vol. 2.
Some of the musicians featured include dancehall stars Boss Pumacol and Nutty O, talented producer Simba Tagz, Thaiwanda, songstresses Shashl and Chengeto,
Comedian King Kandoro, guitarist and songwriter Sylent Nqo, and Garry Mapanzure.
The project is a partnership between Point Black Africa – a digital content and marketing company and Goethe-Zentrum Harare/ Zimbabwe German Society set to promote Zimbabwean artists and change the landscape of Zimbabwean popular music.
The project was produced in full by platinum-selling producer Rymez (Hurtin, Me, Heatwave, Senseless) who worked with every artist in the studio providing the same invaluable guidance that he has offered to the numerous chart-topping superstars he has worked with.
Pungwe Sessions Vol. 2 is a follow up the 2014 offering that Rymez produced in partnership with Point Black’s Managing Director, Phil Chard.
The initial Pungwe Sessions was a revolutionary project for Zimbabwean Hip Hop that produced hits such as Phil Chiyangwa by Rymez and Jnr Brown.
The song immediately shot to the top of the radio charts and held the number one spots on ZiFMs charts for 10 weeks.
“When we made the first Pungwe Sessions the goal was for me to give back to my country. I was starting to find success in the United Kingdom, and I wanted to use that visibility to promote artists back home.
I think we were able to do that, but we also made some mistakes and this time around we wanted to use those lessons on this project” said Rymez
The superstar producer who is known for crafting chart topping hits for Stefflon Don, Wiley, Tinie Tempah and Sean Paul travelled to his birth country of Zimbabwe in late September 2019 to record the album during over an 8 day writing and recording camp that was attended by some of Zimbabwe’s most promising artists.
The roster paired established artists like Simba Tagz who has production credits with Mr. Eazi, Wande Coal and Wizkid with newcomers like Michael Chiunda, Nutty O ad Soko Matemai who gained invaluable knowledge and insights from the collaborations.
“I see working on this project as a blessing straight from God,” Boss Pumacol.
The camp was organized by Point Black with the assistance and support of Goethe-Zentrum Harare/ Zimbabwe German Society.
The recording process for the album was captured on video and will be shown in a documentary that will drop in tandem with the project.
“Zimbabwe has a wealth of talented artists who could benefit from investment and education.
“The goals of this album and the writing sessions were to facilitate a greater level of collaboration amongst our artists and to give artists one on one sessions with a globally acclaimed producer who would educate them on how to approach their craft as a brand.
There is empirical evidence that shows how much contemporary arts can contribute to the GDP of a country. Our goal with this project is to help create a platform that can educate and sustain artists for years to come. Thankfully, Goethe-Zentrum Harare/ Zimbabwe German Society understood the vision and partnered with us on this project to make it a reality,” said Phil Chard.
The album set for release on June 5 is set to be a marquee release that highlights the importance of collaboration amongst Zimbabwean creatives.
The first singles from the album are scheduled to drop on May 15 on all major streaming platforms.
Like the Shona word that the album borrows its name from Pungwe Sessions hopes to highlight Zimbabwean contemporary culture by keeping listeners up all night as they reach for the replay button.
Check out the project below
Pungwe Sessions – Prayer [ft. Rymez, GZE, ASAPH & Sylent Nqo
Pungwe Sessions – Pungwe Music [ft. Rymez, Soko Matemai & Michael Chiunda
Pungwe Sessions – Problem [ft. Rymez, Simba Tagz, Nutty O & Boss Pumacol
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