By Willard Nyahumbi
Michael
Chiunda’s debut studio album has beautiful melodies, rich production, only a
handful of features and outlines his growth as an artist in a deceptively
simple yet elegant way.
To
start with, who is Michael Chiunda? The proud Mutare lyricist has had quite the
journey thus far. For most music lovers their first introduction could have
been either that Hitlab Cypher which earned him a Pogues Hip Hop Awards
nomination or it could have been collaborations with friend Dough Major for Hazvide Dzungu and Wakuketa Staira which were displays of great
penmanship. However, the journey starts way back for the rapper, which can be
traced to the days he used to run with the moniker Meyniak. Now rebranded and
no longer using a gimmick, Michael is an awesome lyricist and perfectionist
with his work.
On
the 29th of January 2021, the hip hop industry received a gift in
the form of rapper Michael Chiunda’s debut studio album ‘Jeong’ - a
thirteen track project - in what promises to be a beautiful year for the
beloved genre.
Looking
back to late 2020, Michael Chiunda dropped a four track EP titled Shelter which
showed his true cadence and wordplay whilst addressing the political situation
in Zimbabwe and addressing some mental health concerns. Fast track to the
present and Michael releases Jeong as a lead project to that EP,
showing his genius is indeed no fluke and that he is in the game to stay.
The
rapper uses Jeong as his platform to comment on gender
issues, his personal journey, sexual and social issues using a strong arsenal
that comprises of his vocabulary, a touch of smooth production and great story
telling skills. An independent rapper, Jeong is testament to his
resolve as an artist and as an individual to be able to release such a project
without a lot of financial clout one would get from a recording label. The
Mutare native is currently based in Sweden and gracefully uses what he has
picked up from residing in new surroundings to add up to his craft and the
track list itself bears evidence to this fact.
Matamoros
is the introduction to the album. It is an
interview in which listeners are introduced to a voice, serving as a prelude it
may seem to the whole project. The anonymous voice subconsciously preparing us
for the greatness that is to follow.
The
introduction is beautifully transitioned into Water, which
opens with a hook done by Michael himself. Michael takes a journey through his
past and dives into some uncomfortable truths that rise when we face the cold
hard truth of our mortality. The soothing melody of the hook transcends one
into a state of self-introspection owing to the rich production that can be
heard throughout the project.
Boy
loves Boy loves Girl is
next on the list. Here Michael takes us through the unchartered territory which
is sexual orientation. An avid supporter of human rights, Michael
unapologetically confronts the stigma so prevalent and the prejudice people
have towards members of the LGBTQ community. With the topic sacred ground in
Zimbabwe, Michael stands true to what he believes in - equal rights. The
production is sleek with some anonymity regarding who did the hook on this one.
Fuck
the police, the fourth track on the project, is
a journey through memory lane for the rapper who relays his escapades in Mutare
when he was back in his hometown. Like most rappers a strong dislike for the
men in blue is to be expected and the hardships of a troublemakers is part of
what fuels his cocky arrogance which is heard throughout the song. Michael pays
homage to his hometown, something he does throughout the project showing a
strong love for where he hails from.
Michael
Chiunda’s aspirations are laid bare in Exodus. The fragility of
every artist is shown in this soulful song. Greatness and perfection are what
he is gunning for and with his debut he lays the blueprints for what he is
building towards and the excellence through which he will be remembered for
forever. Everybody wants love in their craft and being the greatest is what he
strives for coupled with the upliftment of the black man alongside that dream.
Mutare
to Jarna gives
an insight to Michael’s journey with him relaying his journey thus far. The
title once more pays homage to Mutare, his hometown and the journey motif
presented by the title sheds light on the strides he has taken as an
individual. Now in Jarna, Sweden the journey for him is only beginning and we
are buckled up bearing witness as greatness unfolds.
Michael
has a poetic side to him which shows in most of his tracks. On this project he
penned down a poem the apology which he directed to dogs! Yes, I
know. The track serves as an interlude on the album. Here is what he’s had to
say about the poem via his twitter; “the apology” is a poem I wrote for
dogs. Growing up I had a crippling phobia of dogs. After falling in love with
one of my “cousin’s” dogs I decided to work on my fear. I am still working on
my fear. I am still working on myself and hope to adopt puppies. I have breeds
I love now. The apology video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-Io5cYxRAE.
One
in the Chamber is
the first of three featured tracks on the album. With an instrumental that
gives off early 2000’s hip hop vibes he delivers a virtuoso performance. Backed
by rich production the rapper makes good of such an opportunity and puts in a
show for his fans. Using this song as a beacon it would be safe to proclaim
that Michaels cadence is second to none. The wordplay is exquisite and is of
international standard. Ultra-Violet Archer’s vocals are complementary to the
easy laid-back bars laid by Michael.
The
standout track from the album has to be The Story of Yvonne. In
this song Michael flexes his great story telling skills by relaying a night out
of one of his friends, a girl named Yvonne. The song is told from Yvonne’s
viewpoint with Michael himself being a supporting character. The Story of
Yvonne touches on Gender Based Violence (GBV), sexual
orientation and the seemingly simple yet complex topic of consent whose line is
blurred and has recently become the subject of social media uproar. This track
is the epitome of Michael’s ability.
Sunflower
Frequency II, sees the rapper penning a love
letter to his significant other. A relief from the other tracks in the album
Michael and Nargee Musharuqua takes turns in harmonising beautiful melodies to
their loved ones. Smoke has
a hard-hitting ring to it with the rapper declaring his profligacy and sending
a message to all in the game, this is his intro - the debut - and he is vying for
that throne.
To
close out the project, Michael penned a beautiful outro track, Outro. The track opens
with beautiful vocals from the rapper followed by a verse, a farewell to a
partner of his. No love lost here, he makes it clear and it also serves as a
beautiful disconnect to us the listeners. “may these words bring you peace”
suggests he wishes everyone well past lovers and listeners included!
Jeong,
finishes off the project. It’s a ten-minute
call between Michael and a friend conversing on the title, the sentiments and
the drive behind the project.
For
a debut, this is a solid project.
Follow
Michael Chiunda on Twitter- https://twitter.com/MichaelChiunda
Listen
to JEONG HERE - https://hypeddit.com/link/fgyndb?s=
See
more of Michael - https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=michael+chiunda
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