Chimurenga Renaissance

Chimurenga Renaissance is an Africa-centered hip-hop project formed by Tendai "Baba" Maraire, a member of the acclaimed Seattle group Shabazz Palaces. The project blends hip-hop with traditional African instrumentation, creating a unique sound that incorporates elements like mbira thumb pianos and ngoma drums. Maraire, who comes from a renowned Zimbabwean musical lineage, collaborates with Congolese-American guitarist Hussein Kalonji in this venture.

The duo's music is deeply rooted in African heritage and revolutionary spirit, with "chimurenga" translating to "struggle" in Shona, referencing Zimbabwe's liberation movement. Their work often explores themes of African identity, politics, and cultural preservation, as evidenced in releases like "Girlz with Gunz" and "Defenders of the Crusades".