The confluence of rhythm and poetry, has long been the essence of hip hop as a genre. Poems are brought to life by cadence, stanzas turned into 16s, iambic pentameter replaced by flow.
While all rappers are poets, not all poets are rappers. Here lies the brilliance of the creative entity that is Bhanshee, a force for change that bends the art of rap to her spoken word background, creating a niche sound unlike any other. An art that has birthed S(hee), a leveraging of the powerful potential of hip hop to ignite meaningful conversations around mental health and gender justice.
Rooted in Africanacity and fuelled by a passion for the representation of the continent's unique cultural context, S(hee) is a body of work that recognises the importance of community in achieving mental wellbeing.
"The aim [of the EP] was to highlight the distinct experiences of men and women in the face of adversity, while emphasizing the need for collective action and support to heal and thrive as a community. By exploring these themes through music, I hope to contribute to a more nuanced understanding of mental health and promote a culture of love, understanding, and inclusiveness." - Bhanshee
True to the view of community being the bridge to wellness, at the heart of S(hee) is not only Bhanshee's unique artistic expression but collaboration. In creating the music the rapper collaborated with producer Calvinmadeit, the rappers KingTay, and Itsdontworry, then director Blu Mordecai on the project's short film; a beautifully choregraphed kaleidoscope of colour. The quartet of creatives all bought into Bhanshee's unconventional ideas.
"Given the whirlwind timeline of less than 3 weeks, I'm blown away by what we accomplished together. The final product testifies to the magnificent power of community and collaboration. It is also a reminder that when we lift each other up, amazing things can happen." - Bhanshee
In creating S(hee), Bhanshee hopes to inspire people to know that no matter what life throws their way, they are deserving of love, acceptance, and compassion. The project is a musical beacon for strength. Strength to reach out to community for support, and to look above for guidance and hope.
"Let's empower ourselves and each other to rise above adversity, to cope positively, and to thrive in the face of challenges. We are never alone." - Bhanshee
The S(hee) EP and short film had a launch at Alliance Française, Harare on July 5. A showcase that engaged in conversations on mental health, with powerful performances from RayKaz, African Wine and Bhanshee herself.
This project is supported by the British Council #SouthernAfricaArts and the Embassy of Switzerland in Zimbabwe through the Music Connects Africa programme.
You can watch the S(hee) short film below:
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