Leading Hip Hop star Holy Ten today announced the release of a surprise album in apparent defiance to the ‘storm’ he recently torched.

Holy Ten yesterday tweeted that he now regretted the collaboration he did with Winky D after it was interpreted as an anti-establishment song.

He tweeted: “Activists, journalists, lawyers – Split opinions will not do any good for a brand that’s trying to serve & save everyone so help me by not acting like I’ve picked a side. Do not politicize a project that I’ve considered a mere honour to be a part of. I regret it now honestly.” (sic)

But the rapper made a surprising announcement today that he was launching a new album titled The Book of Malachi this Friday.

The ten-track album contains features from Majorsteez, Michael Magz, Xiba and Ghanaian Reggae and Dancehall artist Epixode.

Tonight he is expected to feature on Star FM’s On the Spot with DJ Ollah 7 where he is expected to clarify on the collaboration with Winky D and what actually transpired.

Speculation was rife on social media after ZANU PF Director for Information and Publicity Tafadzwa Mugwadi insinuated that Winky D had tricked Holy Ten and other artists to record songs that criticized the government.

He tweeted: “Artists are no fools. You can never abuse them to resurrect collapsed irrelevant opposition agendas @holytenmusic has clarified that. They were made to drop their lyrics before WinkD brought his own twisted version having signed a contract with @USEmbZim which I am in possession.”

Musicians often express themselves in their music and speak out on political issues that affect their lives and that of their fans.

While this can be powerful and important, it also can come with consequences. Many musicians choose not to speak out on political issues for fear of alienating fans or appearing too biased.

Some even regret speaking out on political issues, feeling that politics have no place in their music and aren’t a good fit as is the case now with rapper Holy Ten.

Holy Ten posted on his Twitter account today that he regrets his collaboration ‘ibotso’ with Winky D because it has been interpreted to mean he has picked a political side.

He tweeted: “Activists, journalists, lawyers – Split opinions will not do any good for a brand that’s trying to serve & save everyone so help me by not acting like I’ve picked a side. Do not politicize a project that I’ve considered a mere honour to be a part of. I regret it now honestly.” (sic)

Journalist Hopewell Chin’ono in his interpretation of the song said the collaboration was talking about looters.

“The song talks about looters who steal public funds using political power, and use the police for brutality with the help of spies, tweeted Chin’ono.

Holy Ten’s tweet has been received with varying opinions, his friend @hatiperi_wacho believes the song is not about politics.

“I think that song speaks of a different issue. Speaks of flashy old guards coming for young girls.The ghetto life repeats itself for the boys banking on their girls,but they always lose.That’s all. NO POLITICS! We, your fans understand don’t mind the rest. Keep leading the youth,” he commented on Twitter. (sic)

Popular blogger Thomas Chizhanje however believes Holy Ten has disrespected Winky D.

“If you are truly your father’s son please copy your dad… Do not disrespect him on social media by saying you regret an opportunity that he gave you,” wrote Chizhanje on his Facebook page.

Whatever the case, It always is a difficult terrain for an artist, especially in a polarised environment like Zimbabwe.

Others may feel they have made a mistake by becoming too outspoken or leaving themselves vulnerable to criticism and misinterpretation.

They may feel that by doing so they have gone outside the scope of their art and further damaged existing divides.

Ultimately, being a musician means being true to your art, and deciding what is and isn’t acceptable to include in your music.