Zimbabwean rapper gets MTV deal

The channel has employed the songs ‘Shisha Pipe’ and ‘Hausati Wamboona’ in the second episode of the series’ sixth season, with more of his tracks to be used in the future. Karizma, real name Tinashe Sahanga, took to social media and expressed his excitement: "If you just caught episode 3 of Shuga on MTV/SABC/YouTube then you probably heard this in there at some point. Bigup Mark Sebz on the beat, we got another one!!!"

Speaking to NewsDay, Karizma said he was thrilled by the momentous achievement. “As far as I know I am the first Zimbabwean artist to ever have music featured on this production,” he said. “I hope other artists are looking at this and feeling inspired or seeing it as a possibility for their music to do the same.”

Commenting on how he got the deal, Karizma credited his endless push for opportunities. “I am connected to a lot of people in music and television in SA and I have been chasing these type of opportunities for a while since my first deal with Big Brother Africa in 2013,” he said.

Shuga debuted in November 2009 on MTV Base as part of MTV Staying Alive Ignite, a social initiative in partnership with the governments of Kenya and Nigeria. It was also part of a multi-media campaign on responsible sexual behaviour and gender-based violence, among other social issues. The TV show made waves and began showing in 40 different African countries. It is now aired internationally on more than 100 TV stations.

Rated among the best rising hip hop musicians in Zimbabwe, Karizma was in November 2013 given an opportunity to feature on BBC’s 1 Xtra Talent – a radio show that puts a spotlight on upcoming artists.