Buhlebenkosi Nkomo
Bulawayo rapper Kereng is set to release his latest single “Khuluma Nam” on 8 October, a track that tackles everyday struggles and the social pressure to fit in.
Born and raised in the City of Kings, Kereng began making music in 2020 and has since carved a path working alongside award-winning acts such as Asaph, Black Pearl, Raykaz, and Banshee.
He has featured in The Signal, an internationally recognised short film directed by Daniel Lasker and taken part in the Next Level Academy 2024.
He has also performed at the Bulawayo Creative Showcase and even shared the stage with Dee- 1 milestones that show a steady climb in his creative journey.
His upcoming single, Khuluma Nam produced by Larynx, leans into the emotional weight of daily survival where appearances often lead to unfair assumptions.
“The song is about people who are hustling every day, but still get judged because of how they dress or look,” says Kereng. “It’s a reminder to treat others with respect — you never know what someone has been through to get where they are, “he said.
Influenced by the new wave of Zimbabwean hip hop, Khuluma Nam fuses introspection with confident lyricism, encouraging listeners to assert their worth in the face of doubt or gossip.
While Khuluma Nam is a standalone single, Kereng is also part of Sound of the City, a new collaborative album launched on 25 September. The project brings together a wide mix of Bulawayo-based talent including Asaph, Indigo Saint, Brintz, Curtis Dee Rovar, Philo Cliff, Swazy, Saleem, CMK , and others.
“It was a different process for me,” Kereng said. “I’m not used to working with so many different artists, but it pushed me creatively. Everyone brought something unique.”
With both projects dropping just weeks apart, Kereng finds himself part of a wave of artists shaping Bulawayo’s evolving hip-hop scene.
