Zimbabwe: DJ Features Poetry On Radio
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The Herald (Harare)
31 March 2008Posted to the web 31 March 2008
Harare
POWER FM's Munyaradzi Mlimo is on a mission to bring poetry on the mainstream through his radio programme where he features a diverse line-up of Zimbabwean poets.
The programme -- a first of its kind -- has caught the attention of the station's youthful listeners every Tuesday between 1pm and 1:30pm when Mlimo popularly known as Dj Munya goes out in search of untapped talent.
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Of course, there is a thin line between hip-hop and poetry but on the programme, listeners get to sample poetry in its raw form.
And Dj Munya believes poetry, like hip-hop, is a powerful medium of expression but one, which needs exposure.
"Hip-hop, some call it street poetry or the art of spoken word but unlike any other music genre it lacks exposure.
"So we are trying to put it on the limelight and if we get sponsorship that would be great because that way we should be able to promote poetry throughout the continent.
"Once you get sponsorship it is easy to run the project but right now it is just a platform for untapped talent.
"The talent is there although at first I had my own reservations but I am glad Black Heat, an artist (Nancy Mukondyo) indicated to me that it was something new and exciting," he said.
Dj Munya said through his programme, he hoped to provide a platform for a wider crossover audiences.
"We try and provide a platform for poets from different parts of the country so that they get the exposure and if possible link them with other international poets.
"Initially, it was Black Heat who used to come on the programme every Tuesday but then we realised there was so much enthusiasm from listeners and that's when we decided to have different poets coming on the programme," Dj Munya said.
Later, he said, we incorporated music instruments such as mbira and guitars to create a variation of sounds.
"The format of the programme is simple other poets prefer to recite their poems with music playing in the background and others like to present it without any music," he said.
He said it was encouraging that local poets were as good as international poets.
"I have a lot of faith in our poets because they have depth and are well versed with many issues.
"Some listeners email their poets and it not just reef rough it something that makes you think and appreciate," Dj Munya said.
So far, he has featured poets who include 40-50th, Kadizha Mutekateka and Albert Nyathi is expected to take part.
Besides poetry, Dj Munya has also included book and movie reviews on the programme.
"I have another programme called Unsigned Hype where I feature hip-hop artistes as well as inviting mix-tapes from either club Djs or those who are into music production to sample their stuff.
"I play whatever mix-tape I have and have an interview with the Dj of that mix-tape for about 20 minutes. As for the book reviews I usually get emails from listeners who want a particular book to be reviewed or I pick any book that I feel readers would be interested in.
"The book can be fiction, comedy or anything and possibly tell readers where to find the books," he said.
This, he said, had never been done before on radio but was a deliberate attempt to feature it on the station.
"The same goes for movie reviews where at least we feature the latest movies and see if it's a remake or new film. We get to tell listeners whether it is up to scratch or not," he said.
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He said there was special emphasis on hip-hop since it was one of the hardest hit genres in term of sales. He said with exposure, hip-hop artistes could eke out a living from their works.
"Artistes should be able to put food on their tables from whatever they do. And my wish is to see local hip-hop artistes breaking through the world market so that they too, can eat.
"I know there are hip-hop pioneers in the United States but we have our own here as there many in other countries," he said.
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