GZE, ASAPH and Sylent Nqo ask for protection on Pungwe Sessions Release
Song Details
Titles: Prayer
Artists: Rymez, GZE, ASAPH, Sylent Nqo
Producers: Rymez, Simba Tagz
Zimbabwe’s raspy-voiced lyricist GZE has linked up with Bulawayo’s hottest rapper ASAPH on the grimy and gritty Hip Hop offering Prayer.
The song which is part of the upcoming Pungwe Sessions Vol. II album produced by superstar beat smith Rymez has the two begging for divine protection as they brave the streets searching for their next dollar over a synth and 808 laden beat produced by Rymez and Simba Tagz. The song is accentuated by soulful guitar licks provided by renowned guitarist Sylent Nqo.
I hustle every day the bag I’m trying to get it
Cause everyday man die for that paper
But every single day you know we need protection
Man, everyday man die for that paper
Every single day you know we need protection
The song borrows sounds from rock, Southern Rap’s hard-knocking 808 drums and the unique vocal deliveries of GZE and ASAPH that have made them household names in Zimbabwe’s Hip Hop circles.
ASAPH is a Bulawayo native who garnered national attention with his 2018 hit Mambo. He has maintained that momentum with a series of solid releases including his latest single Like So which has dominated radio charts for two weeks straight.
GZE is a veteran rapper known for his gruff voice and street raps on hit singles like Mariia and John Bhuru.
Prayer is a product of the collaborative album Pungwe Sessions Vol. II presented by Point Black and Goethe-Zentrum Harare/ Zimbabwe German Society. The song is the first instance where Bulawayo native ASAPH has collaborated with Hip Hop veteran GZE and the talented Sylent Nqo.
“Prayer was probably the quickest song to record off the whole album. Tagz and I had this idea for a beat and the moment we started playing it in the studio ASAPH came in and began coming up with the hook. GZE walked in and he was done with his verse in about 10 minutes. Sylent heard the skeleton of the beat and just started freestyling for 5 minutes. It was an incredible atmosphere. “ - Rymez
On release, Prayer was added to several official Apple Music playlists including African Hip Hop.
About Pungwe Sessions
In 2014, Point Black and its African Hip Hop Blog brand partnered with Rymez on a collaborative project called Pungwe Sessions . The goal was to showcase Zimbabwe’s best Hip Hop talent by leveraging The African Hip Hop Blog’s and Rymez’ collective reach and relationships to maximise exposure. The first single titled “Phil Chiyangwa” by Jnr Brown held the top spot on the ZiFM Urban Chart for 10 weeks. 3 more singles were released from the EP. All 4 singles on The Pungwe Sessions charted on various radio stations in Zimbabwe. They have been playlisted on various radio stations in Zimbabwe, South Africa, Zambia, Namibia, Australia and, The USA as well as playlisting on 2 seasons of the Big Brother Africa reality show. The artists involved with the project were able to draw direct economic benefits from on the project via publishing royalties and performance bookings.
With Pungwe Sessions Vol. II which is supported in partnership Goethe-Zentrum Harare/ Zimbabwe German Society, Point Black is looking to follow up on the success of the first project and create more impact for the artists involved. Pungwe Sessions Vol. II is a collaborative album that hopes to elevate Zimbabwean musicians via education, collaboration and promotion
For any queries contact Phil Chard
+263 772 419 739 / +27 79 595 0271