High density suburbs also known as the ghetto, are known for producing the popular “ZimDancehall.” It then becomes a little bit strange to behold a Hip Hop outfit emerging from the ghetto and making waves in the music industry and the radio.
F.I.O, a five member Hip Hop group hails from Highfield, a high density suburb nicknamed “Fiyo” hence the moniker “F.I.O.” It was found in 2010 and it has five members, all rappers which are boi Afrikka (Tonderai Adam, 25), N.O.B (Kudakwashe Tsikira, 25), Barrack (Moment Ndemera, 25), Yung Fela (Kudzai Maramba, 24) and Ellz Marlonair (Marlon Munamati, 23)
“We started as individuals that saw the good in collaborating which also turned out to be a good thing as we combined financial resources and we also shared the common vision of being the best,” said one of the group member, boi Afrikka.
Asked why they chose to do Hip Hop, F.I.O said, “We did not choose Hip Hop, it chose us. It is destiny. It was not and still not pre meditated.”
F.I.O have not produced an album as of yet, but they boast of more than twenty singles since 2012. “More than ten of our singles on radio stations.” These include singles like Shumba Inoruma, Attraction, Number one and Nhasi.
Their music is different in the sense that is a mixture of hip hop and traditional African beats and lyrics. A perfect example is Shumba Inoruma which has a hip hop beat and a traditional Shona chorus “Shumba Inoruma.”
These young rappers recorded seven of their hit singles at Mix Masters and they started doing their own thing. One of their own, Ellz Marlonair is their producer.
F.I.O has been around for about five years and they have this to say about their musical journey, “Our musical journey has been great. From the moment we started people loved us because of the high density flagship we own. Hip hop is not yet a house hold industry but we have managed to hold our own.”
Boi Afrikka says, “We have set a standard in this Zimbabwean industry which is unique and international. This is one thing that makes us special and the other one is that we broke out of the mold from day one, no one performs like we do and THAT IS A FACT!”
They do work as a group and as well as individuals. Every member has at least two singles out with boi Afrikka having released a mixtape named Viva Afrikka.
“We are inspired by our high density trends and life in general. Our vision is to be internationally acclaimed artists and that is the reason why our last two tracks were produced by Coolytop Records in France and Rebel World in the United Kingdom,” added boi Afrikka
They are the first hip hop crew to be synonymous with the high density suburbs and they say the people love their music.
By Nyasha Jeche