THE BOLD AND THE BRAVE – ZVIRIEVABEAUTIFUL
Bruce Mungoyo,
a.k.a “R-Peels”, in a 2014 interview
with Marshall Zivashe Muchenje, a.k.a “Sharky”, R Peels passionately declared that he wanted to, “ensure
that people release real rap that consists of real life issues that people can
relate to, make quality videos and support young, passionate rappers by signing
them”[1]. So when it came this
latest project, it comes as no surprise that he declared his debut album as the best album of 2017[2].
Coming into the album as Bad Cop, my ears
were tingling ready to hear some real music.
The album opens up with the track Intro- “Mazuva Ose”, drawing from typical but famous sounds of urban grooves, a marimba, a keyboard and an
acoustic guitar. I immediately had some reservations as I wondered whether R-Peels
could scale the lofty heights of the genre.
Lyrically, R-Peels does a great job dedicating
the album to his late grandmother and aunt, whilst also boldy claiming the
revered label of classic. In light of such a bold claim I was even more ready
to scrutinise the album. It came as no
surprise that the next track “Mhosva”,
was another urban grooves inspired instrumental spiced up with a snare and 808
beat. I must commend R Peels for choosing to deal with the all too common story
of a relationship gone wrong, something that sounds similar to the stories that
one reads in H-Metro. On the next track “My
Soul”, another urban grooves inspired instrumental; I at this point was convinced that this was an urban grooves album
(^_^). I liked the open letter to God, saying “Ndakanyora
tsamba, kunamusikavanhu, kuti varondedzere chavakasikira vanhu, kuti vaporese
kurwadizwa kwevanhu, kuti vapemuganhu pakati peutano nehuwandu”. On the
next track “Kasong Kako”, R Peels
switches it up from urban grooves to an awesome 90’s sounding hip hop beat
where, R Peels showcases awesome bars once again talking about the reality of
the young and reckless dealing with relationship issues.
However, the switch up
was not yet a sign of things to come because on the next track “Kwatabva Kure”, the introduction is
only a red herring. The track starts off with a mesmerising grand piano sound
and a hard knocking beat which only lasted for the short period of, 37 seconds,
ANNNND WERE BACK TO URBAN GROOVES (-_-). R-Peels controversially declares that, “he's
been on the grind since he was in diapers” unlike, Chengeto Brown #ShotsFired. There are other
memorable moments on the track when he says “Ndichanyorera album rangu ndirimu cemetry” and also “We make em love this Drake kungeMinaj,
and I be kicking the bosses kungeSolanje”. On the next track, “NhaiBae”
(Maidei Remix), R-Peels switches it up to a catchy Zim-dancehall inspired
beat, taking the famous urban grooves track “Maidei” sung as the chorus. I
personally enjoyed the track and definitely believe the track deserves to be on
the charts.
At this
point I would also like to take a side note and discuss my first conspiracy
theory #ConspiracyTheories,
on the third verse “Anonzi Xndr”,
raps about a girl named ‘Amanda’,
whom I believe I have heard about her on other tracks two or three times before.
So my question is #WhoisAmanda.
Getting
back to the music, on the next track “Don't”
R-Peels does a song for the ladies, on a catchy dance urban grooves beat.
On the next track, “Eva-Beautiful” R-Peels
switches it up from urban grooves, to a
dark and gritty grand piano trap beat. R-Peels is controversial throughout the
track. My favourite line on the track is
“If
your grass is greener toslasha wangu, izvi hazvidi hasha wangu”. This
time around on the next track, “Hii-Hii-Hii”,
another trap infused beat, the switch up was a sign of things to come. He
cleverly takes the famously children's expression when a child has done
something bad, or wrong as the hook. He does a great job talking his talk about
money. So before talking about the next track, “Saka Chii” I must warn you...
!!!TRAP BANGER
ALERT, THIS IS NOT A DRILL AND GET OUT OF THE WAY!!!
Having heard him take shots at those in the
game I was interested to find out if R-Peels was as good as he claimed himself
to be, and embody the track better than big hitters like ‘Guluva Se7en’ and ‘MC Chita’.
Please forgive me, despite countless listens, R-Peels only deserves an
honourable mention, because Guluva Se7en and MC Chita WALKED IN TO THE BOOTH, DROPPED
FIRE BARS AND LEFT R Peels in the dust #CRIMESCENE. On the next track, “Butsu-(Skit)”, R Peels has a radio
conversation with a radio presenter who is putting him on blast, where he does
a brief freestyle which leads to the next track “Butsu”. Personally, after the crime scene that is “Saka Chii” I needed R-Peels to
resurrect himself with some awesome bars after what just happened; I must say
he puts in a great effort to save himself from the previous dusting.
At this point it is safe to say there's a
clear switch from the previous urban grooves vibe in the first half and
personally I'm glad he followed through.
On the next track, “Magara
Humundipihwe”, he controversially in his second verse declared- ‘he isn’t scared of anyone in the industry’,
labelling some rap groups as “gay bands” and how he is a future legend. On the
penultimate track “My Babie”, the trap run is over and he switches
to poppy “afrobeat”. Once again I was interested to see how R-Peels would do
with another big hitter collaborator Scrip
Mula. I must say this time around R-Peels definitely goes toe to toe with
Scrip Mula. On the final track, “Rest in Peace”, R Peels paying tribute to his grandmother, Eva and his aunt
Beauty.
So overall, I must hand it to R-Peels, he has
got some talent and if used wisely could go far. He is capable of creating some
great memorable moments; but I disagree with R-Peels; his album is great but
it’s not a classic album. There is a difference between claiming to be a
classic album, making a classic album and listening to a classic album. I think
it’s pretty clear R-Peels is passionate and convinced of his capabilities but I
feel it’s too early to call. He for me only scrapes the surface of the realness
of reality. He barely explores in depth some of the issues he talks about.
Secondly, I will agree that he has some great tracks, I personally enjoyed the
6 track, trap run of the album. However I do not believe he conquered the
mountain of classic urban grooves hits and albums. He in fact despite my liking
the song reboots the classic urban grooves song Maidei but with the other urban
grooves tracks on the album I do not believe he outright created his own
classics. Finally, like I said I listened to a great album but time will tell
if this body of work will stand the test of time.
My favourite tracks were “Kasong Kako”, “NhaiBae”
(MaideiRemix), “EvaBeautiful”, and the unforgettable “Saka Chii”.
I give this album 7/10.
[1] http://www.zimlink.org/meet-rapper-rpeels/
[2]
http://www.3-mob.com/entertainment/i-made-the-best-hip-hop-album-this-year-r-peels-challenges-competition/
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