About Zeus

Zeus’ most recent activity comes from his participation in the ever-popular BigBrother Africa Amplified reality show. His aim for being on the show was to use it a means to market himself to the wider African market, rather than just concentrating his ventures on the Southern African market. With an avreage of 40-45 million viewers continually, his participation in Big Brother has definitely propelled his popularity to become one of the most sought after artists in Botswana and beyond.
From humble beginnings rocking Yarona FM’s Sprite Rap Activity Jam to continental awards and airplay, Zeus has come a long way in a short space of time. The 25 year old rapper has been featured on national and international stations and media including Y-FM, Metro FM, 5 FM, Kiss FM in Kenya, Hype Magazine, SL Magazine, MTV Base, Channel O and SABC to mention a few. A sharp sense of marketing has seen the BCOMM graduate align himself with major brands and organizations adding value to their products and programs as well as his own. Amongst the host of associations are a brand association with hip-hop apparel retailer and lifestyle brand Mafia Soul, collaborative musical works promoting the causes of Childline Botswana and Oxfam international, and more recently a mentor position and creative contribution to a hip-hop for positive social change program targeting the drivers of the HIV and AIDS pandemic facilitated by YOHO (Youth Health Organization) and supported by the American embassy in Botswana. The Zeus brand has clearly grown beyond musical production and continues to as the young entrepreneur looks to broaden his horizons and leverage the value of his brand as well as diversify his own business activities.
His first album was Corners, Clubs and Churches, despite user-friendly lyrics, delivery and beats made popular over the airwaves, it was never released to the public, and the sophomore album Freshly-Baked was only released in Bostwana, due to lack of proper distribution beyond the borders.
But Zeus is not one to let the past hold him back. "I'm not the first, and wont be the last, artist to have albums not come out. Maybe time was not right. But I wish people had gotten the chance to hear them. I think they would see the growth between them and the new album," said Zeus.
The Flipside is Zeus' new offering. Having already copped the coveted Best Hip Hop album award nomination for the HYPE Magazine awards, The Flipside represents several things: the localization of hip hop culture; a coming of age; and change. For the hip hop fan, The Flipside includes more authentically-genuine life stories. For lovers of music, The Flipside represent the transcending of hip hop, giving it a global musical feel. People should expect more thought-provoking and authentic lyrics, less programming, more playing and an overall new concept of pushing the envelope in terms of creativity. "That's why I called it The Flipside. Its like a flip, a switch in mindset; like a change in bearings," said Zeus.
From 2001 when he stamped his arrival on Gaborone during the Sprite Rap Activity Jam on Yarona FM to the time he held shop on e-TV’s Shiz Nit, many a wannabe mic slingers have met an untimely reassessment of their repertoire on an open stage with tha god. Witty lines and vivid tales of a battle ready and scarred emcee takes you through the region, continent, world and galaxies as Zeus serves it hot on this sixteen track offering that's produced by the cream of the crop of regional production talent pool, with Ross and The Octave Couplet collective spearheading the musical composition of the album.
With all that’s said you’d think Zeus is not a hip hop purist. You’d think he has watered down the art form for mass appeal. Zeus questions the authenticity of what is African without language and respect for where we are from. Much like his mythical namesake, Zeus’ role is to bring things to order; and that’s why his album is sensitive to the listener’s ear, taking into consideration that, fundamentally, hip hop has to be about the people you are selling to.
The localisation of the genre, said Zeus, is paramount to its popularity. “There should be an African definition of hip hop. When we kick about our lives and deliver in the language of our forefathers, we are redefining what was about the Bronx and making it our own. For me, with regards to the vernacular v English debate, I feel it’s a very serious one which goes beyond hip hop and crosses into the realm of identity, specifically African identity. Why do we choose to place our own languages under English and make them inferior? It is a question of knowing and using your mother tongue”.


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