GENDERED PERSPECTIVES IN SELECTED ZIMDANCEHALL BILINGUAL SONGS: AFRICANA WOMANISM

Abstract

There is no study which is based on lyrics of songs about a sextape. Hence, the purpose of the study was to understand the gendered perspectives of four Zimbabwe singers towards explicit recording as reflected in the lyrics of their songs. Africana Womanism was deployed as a theory on the relationship between black males and females. The methodology was Critical Discourse Analysis in which purposefully selected artistes’ music lyrics were analysed. D Flexx’s song, “Hombe Yalevels”, “Ane hombe dzinotapira” (Ndunge Yut), “Tsamba kuna Levels” (Lorna Real Love) and Libronie’s “Ane hombe” which were released after the sextape scandal were examined in this study. From the findings, we argue that singers of the four songs failed Shashl as a woman and fellow musician by focusing on DJ Level’s perceived sexual prowess. Public figures ought to consult advisers, managers and veterans in their fields and government departments should partner stakeholders like businesses, brand experts and counsellors to explain the need for maintaining integrity.