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Rutendo Kanogoiwa Showbiz Reporter
BULAWAYO born up-and-coming hip hop artiste Neville “Mcee DaNev” Sigauke has come up with a different or rather new genre he dubs Mbira Dzehiphop.

Mbira Dzehiphop is a fusion of the traditional instrument mbira and urban hip hop beat.

The 22-year-old Nketa-based singer (pictured left) said he hoped the genre that was inspired by the late Chiwoniso Maraire, would be an international sensation. “The genre was inspired by Chiwoniso as she could also do some rapping using her mbira. I use the instrument which defines the traditional music and then I make the use of acoustics, conga drums and marimba mixed with the main hip-hop kicks and snares to produce a unique African sound.

“I want to make the Mbira Dzehiphop sound a global sensation because it has the potential to be an international brand because of its unique African sound fused with a hip hop beat,” said Mcee DaNev.

He said with exposure he was hoping to collaborate with hip hop artistes in the local music industry.

“I really don’t have the exposure that I need and I’m working on that. I could do more with shows and collaborations but it’s just that artistes are too busy with their own music projects hence it is hard to collaborate”, said Mcee DaNev.

The My African Swag hit maker said later on in the year he would release a 13-track album named after the genre and would feature artistes such as POY and Mzoe 7. “People loved my single track My African Swag, they were excited about the new sound and so I decided to focus work on more songs with an African flavour. My album will feature POY, Mzoe 7and La Josh. It carries tracks such as Ka Love Song, among others,” said Mcee DaNev.