Darkface Muvenda is a man on a mission

Darkface Muvenda is a man on a mission and his contribution towards the Venrap music genre cannot go unnoticed.

Born Langi Maboho and hailing from Tshififi village, this hip-hop music promoter is the founder of the Venrap Music Association that advocates and protects the rights of Venrap artists countrywide.

“We ensure that we protect artists from exploitation and provide them with industry guidance whenever they require it,” he said. “We are very aware that Venrap is rich in lyrics and sound versatility, and we are very proud of our creativity as artists.”

Darkface discovered his singing talent in 2003 when he was a pupil at Tshilala Secondary School in Ha-Dumasi village. “I formed a hip-hop crew called Dogs Squad and it went on to become popular in the area,” he said. “We performed in many areas of the district.”

He came to realise that music had become his soul food. “In the Venrap genre, we do not just utter verses or lyrics. We are in the industry as artists who want to contribute towards the building of our communities,” he said. “We need to strengthen the moral fibre, so that we know that we have a sound society.”

He said that music had played a huge role in shaping his perception of the world. “Different songs carry different messages, and if you are able to accept the messages that are positive, you then get to have a formed worldview,” he said. “Some of us sing against xenophobia and crime. That makes our art relevant to today’s societies.”

Darkface Muvenda won the ‘I am Hip-Hop Hustler’ of the Year award during the Musengavhadzimu Awards in 2012. His top songs include Dzavhavenda (featuring Bomo, Bhamba, Killa Gee, Mizo Phyll, and C Jay), Venrap itshe hone (featuring Lady Dee, Nico Dermic, Bomo and Metro CMG) and Athiimi nae (featuring Adolf).

Those interested in Darkface Muvenda’s music or the activities of the Venrap Music Association can call him on tel. 082 545 7333.

Entertainment - Date: 10 December 2020

Tshifhiwa Mukwevho

Tshifhiwa Given Mukwevho was born in 1984 in Madombidzha village, not far from Louis Trichardt in the Limpopo Province. After submitting articles for roughly a year for Limpopo Mirror's youth supplement, Makoya, he started writing for the main newspaper. He is a prolific writer who published his first book, titled A Traumatic Revenge in 2011. It focusses on life on the street and how to survive amidst poverty. His second book titled The Violent Gestures of Life was published in 2014.

Email: [email protected]