Mizchif

Hechichamunorwa Mount Zion Kwenda (23 June 1976 – 4 September 2014), better known as Mizchif, was a South African based Zimbabwean rapper. He was allegedly 'the first to independently release a solo hip hop album in South Africa,'[1] and the first person in South Africa to perform hip hop with a live band.[2]

Mizchif
Birth nameHechichamunorwa Mount Zion Kwenda
Born(1976-06-23)23 June 1976
Salisbury, Rhodesia
OriginHighfields, Harare, Zimbabwe
Died4 September 2014(2014-09-04) (aged 38)
Johannesburg, South Africa
GenresHip hop
Occupation(s)Rapper
Years active1994–2014
LabelsEargasm, Fondle 'Em, Ghetto Ruff, Gallo Record Company

Early Background

Mizchif was born and raised in Highfield, Harare, Zimbabwe. He moved to Syracuse, New York at the age of 12 where he hooked up with a crew, Soul Pack, and began rapping. He moved to South Africa at 18, where he released his debut album Life from All Angles in 1999 on Eargasm Records.[3] It was well received and had classics like "Place for a Wife" and "Fashionable," of which both respective music videos received constant airplay on several TV music channels across Africa.

Mizchif presented hip hop news on Johannesburg radio station YFM. He was also a video jockey on Nasty, a hip hop show on MNET music channel, Channel O.[4] In 2001 Mizchif teamed up with Mavusana from kwaito group Oda Meeste, for the album Summertime on Ghetto Ruff records which had the infectious hit "Summertime".

His album Supernatural (My Return), was released in September 2003 and nominated for the Best Hip Hop Album at the 2003 South African Music Awards.[5]

Death

On 4 September 2014, Mizchif died due to ill health.[6][7] He was 38. His funeral was held on 8 September 2014 in his hometown in Greendale, Harare, Zimbabwe at the Warren Hills cemetery.[8]

Discography

Singles
  • "Fashionable" (1999)
  • "Place for a Wife featuring TK" (1999)
  • "Summertime feat Mavusana" (2001)
  • "Ngiyazwa" (2001)
  • "Wonderful World" (2003)

Albums
  • Life from All Angles (1999)
  • Mavusana meets Mizchif (Summertime) (2001)
  • Supernatural (My Return) (2003)

References
  1. "Independence Day – A reflection of Mizchif | HYPE Magazine". Archived from the original on 1 January 2014. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
  2. ""Mainstream and Underground Forgot Hip-hop" - Mizchif". 12 October 2013.
  3. Coetzer, Diane (18 January 2000). "Global music pulse". Billboard. Retrieved 5 June 2010.
  4. Makiwa, Henry (16 August 2002). "AllAfrica". The Daily News Harare. Retrieved 19 December 2012.
  5. "ZIMBABWEAN HIP-HOP | Public Enemy Africa". Archived from the original on 3 August 2013. Retrieved 19 December 2012.
  6. Ben, Siyathemba (4 September 2014). "RIP Rapper Mizchif". The Juice. Retrieved 5 September 2014.
  7. "Legend rapper Mizchif dies". Sowetan. 4 September 2014. Retrieved 5 September 2014.
  8. "Mizchif laid to rest in Zimbabwe". ENCA. 9 September 2014. Retrieved 9 September 2014.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.