Music

Rihone “Muvapo” Nevhutalu of Mukula (15) describes his short career in music as a “long and winding road.” He is in Grade 9 at the Mukula Integrated School.

He and Rotondwa “Ras Tondi” Rahwaha recently released a hip-hop album. They call themselves Ras Tondi and the Muvapo FNB Crew and the name of the album is Ndila dzo Vulea.

Nevhutalu grew up listening to musicians like Mizo and Racha Kill, and he describes them as his inspiration. “Mizo is my role model and he encouraged me a lot.”

Despite having plenty of songs readily available, he had to raise funds for the project himself. He is gaining  popularity because of his unique style, which consists of heavy bass sounds, some chopping sounds and occasional brass instruments. He sings about personal experiences “and what I see happening in my vicinity,” he said.

Three of the nine songs on the album, that is already popular among the youth, are Ndila Dzovulea, Mma na Daddy, and the title track Ndila dzovulea. The album is available at local music outlets.

“I will continue singing this type of music as it is proving very popular, he said. He added that his father, Maitele Nevhutalu, an esteemed Tshivenda author, also encourages him to follow his musical dream.