“My Mama went from Mutare to Seattle, now they love me from Seattle to Harare” This is the opening line for what I tip to be Zimbabwe’s next street anthem by Draze (aka Dumisani Maraire, Jr) on his soon to drop song Born to win which features vocalist Ngonidzashe and Kenyan trumpet player Owuor Arunga (formerly with Macklemore).
By Plot Mhako
Paying homage to his Zimbabwean roots, the melodic harmonies and Shona-laced chorus inspired by a song taken from his father’s time directing a choir at University of Zimbabwe in 1994.
Destined to be a unique cultural anthem, the song highlights his experiences upon returning to America, including being ridiculed for his accent and hair texture. The lyrics in this song are layered, with one prominent theme being the refugee’s story. The song and the video will be out this Friday the 7th of May 2021.
“Hip Hop has always been about authenticity. I grew up on the street in the ghettos of America, but was raised within a Zimbabwean musical family. Inside of me is where these worlds meet. That’s what Born To Win is all about.”
DRAZE
From his upcoming album scheduled for release Summer 2021, Born To Win is raw Hip Hop fused with Zimbabwean music to create a new style Draze calls Ancestral Art.
With Burna Boy winning a Grammy award and AfroBeat popping across the globe, the world is ready for other expressions from Africa.”
DRAZE
earground 