ALPHA AND OMEGA- ZaiiD!
Straight from the Kwanza Unit Lineage, ZaiiD (A play on a Swahili word meaning ‘More’) is the only active MC in the scene who can actually claim to have the bloodline of the Founding Fathers of Tanzania Hiphop (not to be confused with Bongo Flava) flowing through his Vinas (Rhymes)and Veins. It is no wonder therefore that the sharp lyricism of his lead Single ‘Mwanzo Mwisho’ ( Beginning and End) fused with the gritty ,raw and Infectious beat courtesy of up and coming producer ‘Bunduki’ is reminiscent of the golden era days of Tanzania Hip hop.
Make no mistake though, Zaiid is here to create his own lane. Influenced by heavyweights before him, Yes; a blind follower or a Biter, Certainly NOT. The intricate and well thought out rhymes he spits, coupled with subtle punches and metaphors are a breath of fresh air in this artform that can sometimes be so redundant, stale and stagnant largely due to lack of creative control by the artists who allow the radio and promoters dictate the direction of their artistry. Not Zaiid, He is here to defy the odds; break the mental chains that have stifled creativity for years and almost buried the essence of Tz Hiphop to the deep depths of depressing doom!
A calm and modest Cat with the air of nonchalance around him, Zaiid is polite and unassuming in his manner. It is not easy to see the Hiphop beast inside him when you first meet him. One thing you notice, is he is serious about hiphop. His 6ft 2 lanky frame does not even begin to define the length of his rhyme book.
.. ‘Usiulize kama nna u Terror squad wa Fat Joe, Mi nina U kigambo, kizaa zaa ka Big Jose, wana-harib CV, kisa sio wa TV, Ma Mc vidonda mi nawapaka tu JV, jina la kudumu kama daftari la kura, kwenye planet ya Bongo nauza flow sio sura…
Off the 3rd Verse of ‘Mwanzo Mwisho’
You wonder how many will miss the double entendres and incredible display of word play by Zaiid throughout his debut single. If this is the ‘ beginning’ of Zaiid, then we can only hope that it is also the ‘end’ of the long wait for authentic and credible true Hiphop fans! MWANZO MWISHO Indeed!
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