Nostalgic Scripts : Let's reflect on Synik's Syn City An Indelible Classic
One of Zim Hip-hop's Most Undisputed Classics
Whenever I have productive and busy days at work, to cure my brain fog, I like to choose a contemplative album, that I can recline and rest to as I gaze into the future.
Usually it’s Kanye West’s - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasies, Jay Z’s Blueprint or, Syn City by Synik. All 3 are well organized bodies of work, but today I want to give commentary on Syn City, which was recorded and produced by Begotten Sun (Kuda Musasiwa) and FTR.
Released on the 15th of August in 2012, that’s 4 days before my 24th birthday. No wonder it has that “Leo energy”". - Roaaaar !
As you can see from the art work, the song was titled based on a 2005 American fil by Frank Miller called Sin City. It’s not only a play on the fact that Synik’s name when shortened is Syn, but also thematically, the city in question is Harare, where a lot of corruption, fornication and malice are the order of the day.
This depth gave the album street credibility in the inner-circles of our sub-culture. Yet the anthology made impact in the mainstream platforms by going further to scoop 3 Hip-hop awards at the 2012 Zimbabwe Hip-hop Awards, which most people saw as well deserved.
The protagonist was just a young Zimbabwean man from a small town called Kwekwe who moved to Harare in hopes of greener pastures.
There were multiple vocal collaborations including Aura The Poet, Kito, Jnr Brown, Tehn Diamond, Metaphysics , Mc Chita (now Zimbiyana Jones), Munetsi, Begotten Sun, Larry Kwirirayi, Karizma, Mic Inity, Fungai!
The video was directed by by Nqobizitha Ënqore”Mlilo of the Nafuna TV fame and Rufaro D.
Those are all legendary voices in their own right and to have them all in the booth for one project is deep work.
The amalgamation of their experiences and story telling capabilities, creates a musical documentary of the things people live through in urban areas. The ambition, the drive, the crime, gossip, bar talk, pleasure and pain.
It is a screen shot of the consciousness of Harare in 2012. Some tings have changed since here and there, but if you go back to that album you will still say, “Ye poets are prophets!”
My favourite song in that project is called “Hamurarwe”. - Harare means “the City that doesn’t sleep”, Hamurarwe translates to the same meaning. In that song he personifies the city as a cougar that lured him and gave him promises.
Yet as you go through the verses, you realize through the ups and downs, that his relationship with her is a toxic one. Sometimes sweet, sometimes bitter.
I encourage you to click the link below to make your own opinion. It’s a youtube playlist.
Syn City - Youtube Playlist
Syn City - Spotify Playlist