Zimbabwe Hip-Hop Artist's Latest CD Deemed Too Controversial | Voice of America - English
Zimbabwean hip-hop artist Ndabaningi Mabuye has made a name for himself in neighboring South Africa as one of the country's most popular MCs. But the rapper's latest album has made headlines for the wrong reasons. The Broadcasting Complaints Commission of SA has ruled the track "Get Out" is an incitement to violence.
NdabaningiMabuye became a household name in South Africa after he released his debutalbum , featuring the remix of the Steve Makoni classic"Handiende." The CD alsoearned the performer ? popularly known as MC Zubz -- a South African Music Award(or SAMA) nomination. The same cannot be said for the artist's latestalbum, titled . Afar-right political party, the Freedom Front Plus, leveled a complaint with theBroadcasting Complaints Commission of SA (BCCSA) after the country's publicbroadcaster aired the music video of his song "Get Out." The party told the Commission the airing of thevideo on national television in a country plagued by racially-motivated attacksand murders is not only inappropriate but also irresponsible. The video featuresZubz rapping "Understand I'm gonna get this panga to your neck / Take whatis mine today and I'll rob you tomorrow/ Take my time it's payback?" TheSABC defended the song by arguing the artist is trying to raise the concernsabout people oppressing others and how this will not be tolerated. But that didn't convince the Broadcasting Complaints Commission. Since its ruling, themusic video for "Get Out" will no longer be aired by the publicbroadcaster. Inan interview with The Times newspaper, Zubz said he despises racism. He saidhe'd never be so irresponsible as to write a racist song, considering thevolatile society we live in. But the rapper also said he doesn't regret writingthe song, which has been labeled "hate speech".