News / National
Rising star from Tokwana village aims to dominate Kalanga hip-hop scene
05 Nov 2024 at 16:21hrs | Views
Growing up in the rugged landscape of Tokwana village in Bulilima District, Matabeleland South, Praise Muleya, known by his stage name TyzaSlimtee, dreamed of stepping into the limelight and bringing his Kalanga roots to the forefront of Zimbabwe's hip-hop scene. Today, his passion for music and dedication to his craft are bringing him closer to realizing that vision, as he aims to become a leading figure in Kalanga hip-hop and popularize the language and culture through music.
Speaking with Chronicle Showbiz Online, TyzaSlimtee recounted his early days experimenting with music. "Back in 2011, I'd play beats on my mother's phone and record myself singing along. No one really understood what I was doing in the rural areas, and neither did I, but I knew I loved music," he shared. His journey took a decisive turn when he moved to Bulawayo to attend Milton Boys High School in 2014. There, he met other music enthusiasts and discovered the path to pursue his dreams.
TyzaSlimtee draws inspiration from South African rapper Emtee The Hustler and Plumtree's own DJ Phuti. Although they perform in different genres, their artistry fueled his drive to excel in music. "I saw that I had the talent, but they gave me the vision of where I wanted to go," he explained.
The young artist began building his portfolio with singles, eventually releasing standout tracks like Butjilo and Ngati bhataneni in 2018, which quickly resonated with fans in his hometown. These tracks garnered him exposure on platforms like ZBCtv, Khulumani FM, Radio Dialogue, and SkyzMetro FM. Today, he has an impressive catalog of over 50 singles and two albums.
Though he admits he's been out of the spotlight recently, TyzaSlimtee is preparing a major comeback with two new albums, Mihodzi and Mimoyo yabo, set to record by the end of the year. "I've been underground for a while, and some people may have forgotten about me. But this comeback is important to me," he shared.
His goal? To solidify his status as the "Kalanga trap king" with his music playing on every Zimbabwean radio station. TyzaSlimtee is also eager to collaborate with notable Bulawayo artists like Ma9Nine, Asaph Africa, and Msiz'kay, whom he considers influential pillars of local music. "It would be a blessing to work with them on these albums," he said.
With his heart set on blending Kalanga language and hip-hop, TyzaSlimtee is ready to make an indelible mark in Zimbabwe's music industry, uniting tradition and modern rhythm for listeners across the nation.
Speaking with Chronicle Showbiz Online, TyzaSlimtee recounted his early days experimenting with music. "Back in 2011, I'd play beats on my mother's phone and record myself singing along. No one really understood what I was doing in the rural areas, and neither did I, but I knew I loved music," he shared. His journey took a decisive turn when he moved to Bulawayo to attend Milton Boys High School in 2014. There, he met other music enthusiasts and discovered the path to pursue his dreams.
TyzaSlimtee draws inspiration from South African rapper Emtee The Hustler and Plumtree's own DJ Phuti. Although they perform in different genres, their artistry fueled his drive to excel in music. "I saw that I had the talent, but they gave me the vision of where I wanted to go," he explained.
Though he admits he's been out of the spotlight recently, TyzaSlimtee is preparing a major comeback with two new albums, Mihodzi and Mimoyo yabo, set to record by the end of the year. "I've been underground for a while, and some people may have forgotten about me. But this comeback is important to me," he shared.
His goal? To solidify his status as the "Kalanga trap king" with his music playing on every Zimbabwean radio station. TyzaSlimtee is also eager to collaborate with notable Bulawayo artists like Ma9Nine, Asaph Africa, and Msiz'kay, whom he considers influential pillars of local music. "It would be a blessing to work with them on these albums," he said.
With his heart set on blending Kalanga language and hip-hop, TyzaSlimtee is ready to make an indelible mark in Zimbabwe's music industry, uniting tradition and modern rhythm for listeners across the nation.
Source - The Chronicle
