BY WINSTONE ANTONIO
LOCAL female rapper and former radio personality Black Bird, born Nonkululeko Vundla (pictured above), says she has experienced a lot of sexual harassment in her musical journey that spans over a decade.
Black Bird is the first female to release a hip-hop album, The Rappetizer, released in 2010.
Her international flair in her compositions won her the prestigious honour of becoming the first female hip-hop artiste to be invited to perform at the 2011 edition of the Harare International Festival of the Arts (Hifa).
In a recent interview with Standard Style, Black Bird, confirmed rampant sexual harassment in showbiz she said it has been hard for her, but she had to be resilient.
Black Bird recently dropped a 14-track EP titled Bantu Queen.
“The whole #MeToo campaign was very real to me because I have experienced a lot of sexual harassment in my journey,” she said.
“It’s not easy to break through in the arts sector as some of those who hold the keys seek to exploit prospective female artistes.
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“It’s been hard, but I had to always make sure I push back and show the men around me I am not playing games and I will not take their abuse.
“However, on the other hand, I must say a lot of brothers were supporting me and happy to help a sister like me shine.”
The Victoria Falls-based chanter said it was not that rosy being a female rapper in the male-dominated showbiz industry.
“It is tough being a female rapper, especially because the men are in control of most key positions like at radio and television stations, they own studios and are promoters as well,” she said.
In handling the ups and downs of celebrity life, Black Bird said she allows God to be in control.
“There are highs and lows in the life of a celebrity, but every time I felt like my world was collapsing, I knew that these challenges were just there to toughen me up. I am a goal-getter who is not affected by setbacks and who does not allow previous circumstances to weigh her down,” she said.
“It is not easy to get back up when you are down, but for me I would know God has a bigger plan for my life nothing can keep me down as the Rastafarians say, ‘Who Jah Bless No Man Curse’.”
