Should Zim Musicians Be Neutral?

[Borrowdale Barron]

Is it a good idea for Zim artists or Zim musicians to be politically neutral with their music or they should exercise their freedom of speech?

 

[Lenard]

Not when some of famous Zim musicians have benefited from being politically affiliated.

Anyways, the topic of political impartiality in arts is a touchy subject and in most cases whether it's Zim Hip Hop, Zimdancehall, Sungura music artists, Zim Gospel music artists it's high unlikely that many of those artists will even dare to discuss it let alone express their freedom of speech.

 

[Borrowdale Barron]

But how come Jah Prayzah is said to be the ambassador of the Zimbabwe National Army? I don't see that as being politically neutral. If other artists openly make songs supporting the opposition in Zimbabwe then all hell would break loose.

 

[Lenard]

But how come Jah Prayzah is said to be the ambassador of the Zimbabwe National Army? I don't see that as being politically neutral. If other artists openly make songs supporting the opposition in Zimbabwe then all hell would break loose.

Jah Prayzah is NOT the first Zim musician to be used as part of Zanu PF's propaganda machine and he shall not be the last either. In fact, Jah Prayzah will regret being affiliated with Zanu PF like the rest of the Zim artists that walked in the same shoes before him.

Always remember... history has a funny way of repeating itself.

 

[Borrowdale Barron]

What about when Zimdancehall artists perform at Zanu PF rallies and Zanu PF functions, shouldn't that be equally regarded as choosing a political side?

 

[Lenard]

What about when Zimdancehall artists perform at Zanu PF rallies and Zanu PF functions, shouldn't that be equally regarded as choosing a political side?

You have to understand that many Zimdancehall artists are in the music business to earn a living without having any code of ethics about how they engage the business of music.

All what Zimdancehall artists see is dollars signs not a political agenda.

 

[Borrowdale Barron]

You have to understand that many Zimdancehall artists are in the music business to earn a living without having any code of ethics about how they engage the business of music.

All what Zimdancehall artists see is dollars signs not a political agenda.

Shouldn't that same logic apply to Jah Prayzah's Zimbabwe National Army affiliation to say all he cares about is money?

 

[Lenard]

Shouldn't that same logic apply to Jah Prayzah's Zimbabwe National Army affiliation to say all he cares about is money?

To a certain extent yes that type of reasoning is applicable in the instance of Jah Prayzah but how will an average person know if Jah Prayzah is only doing it for money? What if Jah Prayzah started by being an ambassador of the Zimbabwe National Army and through brainwashing he got to be re-educated into the Zanu PF political party ideology?

 

[Borrowdale Barron]

To a certain extent yes that type of reasoning is applicable in the instance of Jah Prayzah but how will an average person know if Jah Prayzah is only doing it for money? What if Jah Prayzah started by being an ambassador of the Zimbabwe National Army and through brainwashing he got to be re-educated into the Zanu PF political party ideology?

But how can it be wrong say if Jah Prayzah or DJ Tamuka are proud to be Zanu PF members? Zim artists have the same rights as the rest of citizens don't they?

 

[Lenard]

But how can it be wrong say if Jah Prayzah or DJ Tamuka are proud to be Zanu PF members? Zim artists have the same rights as the rest of citizens don't they?

They sure have the right to choose which political party they want to support. As long as they fully understand the nature of Zanu PF. They will only use you when it suits their propaganda because change is constant and they sure are cold.

 

[Borrowdale Barron]

I know this is random but Energy Mutodi used to make Rhumba music and now he is a Member of Parliament. It's quite interesting how things change.

 

[Lenard]

I know this is random but Energy Mutodi used to make Rhumba music and now he is a Member of Parliament. It's quite interesting how things change.

Was he ever a good musician to begin with?

At one point he got kicked out of Zanu PF by G40 members.