Alloe the Rapper Retells Mzilikazi’s Story Through Traditional Trap

Buhlebenkosi Nkomo

BULAWAYO – Traditional trap artist Alloe the Rapper says his upcoming single Mzilikazi KaMashobane seeks to offer a fresh perspective on one of the most celebrated figures in Ndebele history by retelling the story of King Mzilikazi through music rooted in oral tradition.

The song, featuring vocalist Cula Nyon, is set for release on June 30 and was inspired by the annual Umgubho WeSilo uMzilikazi commemorations, which celebrate the life and legacy of the founding leader of the Ndebele nation.

While several artists have previously paid tribute to King Mzilikazi, Alloe believes his approach sets the song apart.

“I chose Mzilikazi because his story hasn’t been told enough in music, and the stories that have been told usually stick to the same facts – battles, cattle and kingdoms,” he said.

Rather than focusing solely on well-known historical events, the artist said he drew inspiration from oral histories and sought to place listeners at the centre of the story.

“My song takes a totally different route. I dug into the oral histories and wrote from the perspective of someone watching him build uMthwakazi from scratch,” said Alloe.

“The beat, the language, even the call-and-response – I tried to make it feel like you’re sitting around a fire hearing the story for the first time, not reading it from a textbook.”

King Mzilikazi KaMashobane founded the Ndebele nation in the 19th century after leading his followers northwards from present-day South Africa. His leadership laid the foundations of a kingdom whose cultural influence continues to shape communities across Matabeleland.

For Alloe, the song is also an attempt to highlight aspects of Mzilikazi’s leadership that are often overlooked.

“For me, Mzilikazi was more than a warrior king. He was a strategist who lost everything under Shaka and still rebuilt a nation from scratch,” he said.

“He was a diplomat who knew when to fight and when to negotiate. He was a lawmaker who created systems that held the Ndebele nation together for decades.”

The musician said listeners should pay close attention to the poetry woven throughout the track, which incorporates traditional praises and proverbs inspired by Ndebele culture and history.

“There are praises and proverbs in the poetry part of the song,” he said.

Beyond honouring a historical figure, Alloe hopes the single will encourage younger generations to engage more deeply with their heritage and spark conversations about the legacy of the man many regard as the architect of uMthwakazi.

The release follows Alloe’s Incwadi Yothando EP and continues his efforts to merge contemporary trap music with Ndebele storytelling traditions, creating a sound that bridges modern audiences and ancestral history.