Chimurenga Renaissance

A Zimbabwean-centered hip-hop project from Shabazz Palaces member Tendai "Baba" Maraire, Chimurenga Renaissance was formed in 2012 when Maraire teamed with Hussein Kalonji, the rapper formerly known as H-Bomb. That same year, the group introduced their mix of electronic (ie. synths and samples) and organic (ie. ngoma drums and mbira thumb pianos) on Pungwe, a mixtape where artists like Bob Marley and Spice 1 were mixed with African artists like Thomas Mapfumo and Youssou N'Dour. In 2014 the project made its official debut on the Brick Lane label with riZe vadZimu riZe. The album featured a guest appearance from Dead Prez member M1 along with Maraire's Shabazz Palaces partner, Palaceer Lazaro. ~ David Jeffries