Point Black Africa – a digital content and marketing company has partnered with Goethe-Zentrum Harare/ Zimbabwe German Society on a new collaborative project set to promote Zimbabwean artists and change the landscape of Zimbabwean popular music.  The project dubbed Pungwe Sessions Vol. 2 will feature 13 songs from over a dozen Zimbabwean artists such as Simba Tagz, Nutty O, Garry Mapanzure GZE, ASAPH, Boss Pumacol, Chengeto, Garry Mapanzure, Soko Matemai, Ammara Brown, King Kandoro, Michael Chiunda Sylent Nqo, Thaiwanda and Shashl

The project was produced in full by platinum-selling producer Rymez (Hurtin, Me, Heatwave, Senseless) who worked with every artist in the studio providing the same invaluable guidance that he has offered to the numerous chart-topping superstars he has worked with. Pungwe Sessions Vol. 2 is a follow up the 2014 offering that Rymez produced in partnership with Point Black’s Managing Director, Phil Chard. The initial Pungwe Sessions was a revolutionary project for Zimbabwean Hip Hop that produced hits such as Phil Chiyangwa by Rymez and Jnr Brown. The song immediately shot to the top of the radio charts and held the number one spots on ZiFMs charts for 10 weeks.

“When we made the first Pungwe Sessions the goal was for me to give back to my country. I was starting to find success in the United Kingdom, and I wanted to use that visibility to promote artists back home. I think we were able to do that, but we also made some mistakes and this time around we wanted to use those lessons on this project” said Rymez

The superstar producer who is known for crafting chart-topping hits for Stefflon Don, Wiley, Tinie Tempah and Sean Paul travelled to his birth country of Zimbabwe in late September 2019 to record the album during over an 8 day writing and recording camp that was attended by some of Zimbabwe’s most promising artists.  The roster paired established artists like Simba Tagz who has production credits with Mr Eazi, Wande Coal and Wizkid with newcomers like Michael Chiunda, Nutty O ad Soko Matemai who gained invaluable knowledge and insights from the collaborations.

“I see working on this project as a blessing straight from God.” – Boss Pumacol

The camp was organized by Point Black with the assistance and support of Goethe-Zentrum Harare/ Zimbabwe German Society. The recording process for the album was captured on video and will be shown in a documentary that will drop in tandem with the project.

“Zimbabwe has a wealth of talented artists who could benefit from investment and education. The goals of this album and the writing sessions were to facilitate a greater level of collaboration amongst our artists and to give artists one on one sessions with a globally acclaimed producer who would educate them on how to approach their craft as a brand. There is empirical evidence that shows how much contemporary arts can contribute to the GDP of a country. Our goal with this project is to help create a platform that can educate and sustain artists for years to come. Thankfully, Goethe-Zentrum Harare/ Zimbabwe German Society understood the vision and partnered with us on this project to make it a reality. “- Phil Chard.

The album set for release on June 5 is set to be a marquee release that highlights the importance of collaboration amongst Zimbabwean creatives. The first singles from the album are scheduled to drop on May 15 on all major streaming platforms.

Like the Shona word that the album borrows its name from Pungwe Sessions hopes to highlight Zimbabwean contemporary culture by keeping listeners up all night as they reach for the replay button.

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 with Goethe-Zentrum Harare/ Zimbabwe German Society, Point Black are 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

phil@pointblack.africa