Rise of vulgar lyrics in Zimbabwe music bothering

A troubling wave of explicit lyrics is sweeping through Zimbabwe's creative sector, particularly in music, raising concern among industry stakeholders who fear the trend is damaging the reputation of the country's entertainment industry.

Observers say the growing phenomenon is largely driven by upcoming artistes seeking online fame and financial rewards through social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram.

For many of these musicians, going viral has become more important than producing long-lasting, family-friendly content. Critics argue that this pursuit of online clout is casting a shadow over the broader creative community.

The technological revolution has transformed Zimbabwe's entertainment landscape, allowing artists to release music instantly online. However, some industry experts believe the same digital platforms have become channels for explicit content that undermines creativity and cultural values.

Concerns over vulgar lyrics are not new. In 2018, Seh Calaz, born Tawanda Mumanyi, was fined US$100 by a Harare magistrate for violating the Censorship and Entertainment Control Act after authorities ruled that his song Kurova Hohwa contained indecent and unethical lyrics.

At the time, the court found the track undesirable despite the musician's argument that he had produced both a raw version for clubs and a clean version for wider audiences.

Following the case, explicit songs temporarily declined, but the trend resurfaced during the Covid-19 pandemic with a new generation of musicians.

Artists such as Uncle Epaton, Ndunge Yut, Lady Squanda, Jah Signal, Hwinza, Malloti and Van Choga have recently faced criticism for releasing songs widely considered explicit.

Popular hypeman and radio personality Simbarashe Templeman Maphosa, widely known as "Godfatha", said the trend is worrying and harmful to young audiences.

"I have noticed this shocking trend where young musicians are posting explicit content on social media, especially TikTok, for the sake of likes and monetising their content," he said.

"As a radio presenter, I cannot play such music, but social media is difficult to regulate. We are hoping the law will be enforced so that offenders are held accountable."

Templeman warned that vulgar content could harm artists' careers.

"No serious brand wants to be associated with such material. Those who rely on explicit content risk ending their careers prematurely," he said, adding that many international promoters would refuse to book artists known for vulgar lyrics.

Talent scout and entrepreneur Tinashe Mutarisi said the issue goes beyond music and reflects broader cultural shifts.

"Young artistes often create what they think the market wants," Mutarisi said.

"With global influences and intense competition for attention, many feel pressured to produce provocative material. Addressing the problem requires looking at the wider cultural environment."

He suggested introducing clearer content classification systems to ensure explicit music is restricted to adult audiences.

The National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) has condemned the trend, urging artists to uphold cultural values and produce music suitable for family audiences.

NACZ spokesperson Agga Nyabinde said the organisation encourages musicians to promote culture and Ubuntu through responsible artistic expression.

"We do not encourage explicit content at all because it goes against our cultural values," Nyabinde said, noting that the Board of Censors is responsible for regulating such material.

However, critics argue that enforcement has been weak, allowing explicit songs to flourish online.

Officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage said government is reviewing the country's censorship laws to address modern digital platforms.

Acting Permanent Secretary Mike Masaka said artists must exercise their freedom of expression responsibly and respect national cultural values.

He noted that the Censorship and Entertainment Control Act, enacted in 1967, was designed for traditional media formats and does not adequately address modern platforms such as streaming services and social media.

Government is therefore considering amendments to ensure digital content distributed on platforms such as YouTube and TikTok falls under regulatory oversight.

Industry observers say unless stronger measures are introduced, the growing popularity of explicit lyrics could continue to shape Zimbabwe's music scene — potentially at the expense of creativity, culture and the protection of young audiences.