shloboe boe
Sipepisiwe Moyo, moyosipepisiwe@gmail.com
Artistes from Bulawayo received a significant boost from the newly opened Kulture Studio in the city centre, which offered free recording sessions last month.
The initiative, sponsored by the Mthuli Ncube Foundation in collaboration with Jadijo and MultiChoice Zimbabwe, provided both audio and visual recording opportunities to up-and-coming as well as established artistes.
Harare-based Mount Zion Records producer Temptation Chirenje, widely known as Tman, was invited alongside other artistes to assist in production.
The effort fostered numerous collaborations, including a track by rising artiste Superman of the Pfira Dandy fame and Bulawayo’s Zimdancehall star Ma9ine. Another highlight was the remix of Jaycee’s song Ungayithi Vuu, featuring Mzoe7 and Ma9ine.
Speaking on his experience, Tman expressed enthusiasm about working with artistes from the city.
“I’m happy to have been in Bulawayo, doing what I’m passionate about — working with artistes. We welcomed all genres, but primarily used the Zimdancehall beat, tailoring it to suit each artiste’s style,” he said.
“The response was overwhelming, with over 30 artistes showing up on the first day,” he said.
Tman praised the talent in Bulawayo but noted that limited exposure remains a challenge.
“Bulawayo has incredible talent, but the music doesn’t circulate as fast as it does in Harare. My advice to them is that hard work is key. Artistes need to stay committed — nothing sabotages your work if you’re persistent. I’ve achieved success through sleepless nights and dedication,” he added.
Tman also expressed interest in collaborating with Bulawayo-based producers in the future, further solidifying ties within Zimbabwe’s creative community.
Kulture Studio chief executive officer, Qhelokuhle Dube revealed the project’s impressive output, which included 166 recorded songs and 107 music videos.
“There’s a lot of fresh talent we’ve discovered, and audiences will experience it very soon in a big way,” said Dube.
This initiative has not only empowered artistes but also highlighted the potential of partnerships to transform the local arts scene.
