King 98, Ti Gonzi rivalry renewed

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Next Wednesday all roads lead to Dreams Night Club in Harare for the Changamire Festival awards. Rising hip-hop sensation King 98 and rapper Ti Gonzi, who were the toast of the Zim Hip-hop Awards night last month, each walking away with three gongs, square-off once again at the awards ceremony which is in its fifth year.

By Ronald Magweta/Sindiso Dube

Next Wednesday all roads lead to Dreams Night Club in Harare for the Changamire Festival awards. Rising hip-hop sensation King 98 and rapper Ti Gonzi, who were the toast of the Zim Hip-hop Awards night last month, each walking away with three gongs, square-off once again at the awards ceremony which is in its fifth year.

King 98, walked home with the Best Collaboration award for his song Wacko, featuring Nasty C and LayLizzy, Best Hip-hop Hustle award and Best Album for his 13-track debut album Francesca.

Ti Gonzi won the Best Male Artiste, Best Verse and Song of the Year, Kure — featuring Ishan — awards.

However, it is at the Changamire Festival Awards that the pair’s rivalry has been renewed.

Ti Gonzi boasts of 11 nominations while King 98 has nine nominations.

By having 11 and nine nominations respectively means Ti Gonzi and King 98 are arguably the best hip-hop artistes in the country at the moment.

They were also nominated for the Zimbabwe Music Awards which took place last night.

It seems the two are running away with every accolade that comes their way and are excited about it.

“I feel great about being nominated at almost all awards last year and also this year at the Zima. It means that my hard work is not going to waste. It means people and the country are really appreciating my works and I am looking forward to maintaining my efforts and energy that drove me last year. I am not stopping anytime soon,” Ti Gonzi said.

“This year I promise more works. I will be launching a new album this year.”

King 98, who is in South Africa shooting a video of his song Twisted, off his debut album Francesca, through his manager DJ Simmz, said such recognition would spur him to do more.

“The nomination clearly shows that I am doing tremendous work that is being recognised. These nominations and awards will surely motivate me to do much more,” King 98 said.