CHEPAJECHA – THE BEAUTIFUL STORY OF THE COMMON MAN

From StarKidz to Studio263 to Hip Hop artist, Tulk Munny has had quite a journey. When I turned to listen to this album my research the album seemed to suggest this album came out in 2016 but it was nominated in 2017. So on the note of getting nominated in 2017, I will have to assume that it may have come out too late to be considered in 2016, in conjunction with the assumption that this is in alignment with the way Zim Hip Hop Awards do their thing.

I must also express my disappointment that the album is not readily available online on streaming services or ready for purchase on popular online music stores such as Apple Music. So I had to rely on the playlist of the album I found on the Youtube Channel ‘Ziscography’. So in writing this review I will to my detriment have to assume the 13 tracks I listened to are the entire album but I may be wrong. I will also have to assume the order in which I listened to them is the order of the album which I must note is available for purchase through direct contact with him.

The first track I listened to off the album was “Usarara”, a trap beat infused with an amazing electric lead guitar. I instantly was excited to hear an MC not only rapping in Shona, but doing so effortlessly; like I’ve previously heard spoken word artists do. I up until till this album had not heard as compelling a story as the story about Wesley. So I was impressed. The next track I listened to was the title track “ChepaJecha”, a head bobbing brass and bass infused rythmic track, that leads to Tulk Munny cleverly repping the suburbs of Harare. He delivers memorable lines such as “Chepa Kambuzuma 1 pamashops, ukaita mapops, Choto simudza maone nemaCops” and later on he say “Chepa mastalls, pamabombi stombi, paveranda panogezerwa makombi”. On the next track “Hukana Anochimhanyirana Neni”, Tulk switches things up to Zim dancehall. I must confess I am not a big fan of Zim dancehall for other reasons besides the sound itself. The track felt to simple and undermining of Tulk having come from hearing two great tracks. So I was a bit disinterested in the track and I know this is may be just me who felt this and that others I am fully aware won’t find any issue with the track. On the next track “Wedzera Effort”, a funky lead guitar break beat instrumental, Tulk with the support of ‘Ti Gonzi’ delivers a message of encouragement, spurring everyone to put some effort into their everyday hustle. I also enjoyed the verse from young and upcoming MC Goldfurnace who  puts in a great effort (pun intended) On the next track I heard Kupinda Pinda, Tulk turns up, on a great party track. I enjoyed the track with memorable lines like “Unongondiwana ndakaleza nemablack beauty, big booty bhiza ndichibedja” I must at this juncture share another #ConspiracyTheory as I almost thought I had heard Cal-Vin who according to the track is ‘Tytan‘ providing a supporting final verse. On the next track, “Jiza”, a hard knocking trap beat, I enjoyed hearing Tulk let loose and have fun going to talk that talk. On the next track “Amadamara Gwala”, a kwaito infused hip hop beat, Tulk expresses his desire to make money. I must say in support an unnamed mc comes in with memorable lines like being the type of guy whose girlfriend (I hope from what he says at the open of the verse) named Amanda #WhoIsAmanda?,  is the “type that’s yellow no bananas” #LOL #DryJokes. On the next track, Smart Zhet, everything about the song remind me about some of the great hip hop tracks that were made for squads. I can definitely hear this track as a back track to an entrance of the squad into a party, looking and feeling unstoppable and dangerous #LadiesWatchout #SmartZhetBaba.On the next track I heard G for “Gevha”, which is another head bobbing track.

Tulk returns to his conversational flow once again unashamedly briefly sharing his come up story whilst representing the high density suburbs. On the next track,.” Gara Gara,” I felt some nostalgia where Tulk seems to take inspiration and pays homage in name and instrumental to the 2014 smash hit ‘Caracara’ by South African rapper K.O. I enjoyed hearing Tulk going full beast mode on the track. Delivering lines like “Tulk Munny Davhidi kubanditi, vanondiziva kukamba kungeSergenti, nidchivafinha kungenachisi, ndichivapisa kungematchisi”. It must also be said at this point when I hear ‘Goldfurnace’ come through, I think it's safe to say Tulk and Goldfurnace have beautiful bromance going on. The next two tracks “Elimali” and “Dakutsika” Jive are both great party songs and in closing Paranoia closed out my listening to the playlist as the cherry on top with a great feature from Swiska.

So as Bad Cop, if you hadn’t picked it up already, overall I enjoyed listening to ChepaJecha. I felt the album, was a breath of fresh air in the ever growing genre that is  Zim Hip Hop. Tulk Munny is able to experiment with different stories, sights and sounds to create some memorable music. I personally felt I was able to finally listen to a great album that is unashamedly inspired by Zimbabwe, produced with Zimbabwe sounds and delivered well in the language your average young person in Zimbabwe will understand.

My favourite tracks were “ChepaJecha”, “Kupinda Pinda”, “Jiza”, “Smart Zhet”, “Elimali” and “Dakutsika Jive”.