BY NOSIPHO MABUZA (INTERN)
MBABANE — The fourth season of Bars2Bars Cypher has delivered bold beats, lyrical fire, and unprecedented global hip-hop collaboration. Hosted by Sibusiso Shongwe, popularly known as Bless LePoet, and Bongani Gamedze, known as BoB Musician, this highly anticipated platform has wrapped up another powerful season, showcasing a diverse line-up of emerging hip-hop talent from Eswatini and beyond.
This season featured 11 dynamic artists, with seven local rappers joining forces with four international voices from Lesotho, Ghana, and Malawi. The cypher has become a space where raw talent meets opportunity — a concept that both Bless LePoet and BoB Musician are deeply passionate about. As an outspoken advocate for the arts, Bless LePoet has consistently championed young creatives, expressing how this platform was born out of a desire to expose underrepresented voices and give them a chance to shine. “I wanted to help expose the artists and hope that more artists will come on board as we prepare to host season five of the Bars2Bars Cypher,” he shared, his dedication evident in both his words and the consistent quality and reach of the project.
BoB Musician, a producer and the founder of Afro Melodies studio, highlighted the essence of collaboration in music. For him, the cypher is more than just a musical track — it’s a global conversation. “Music is an art of expression; this song opened that platform for various upcoming hip-hop artists in different countries,” he said. His studio, located in Lomshasha, has become a creative hub where beats are crafted, songs are refined, and dreams are nurtured.
The track from season four was built on a powerful hip-hop drill beat that provided a gritty, high-energy backdrop for each artist to deliver their verse. The line-up included Bonkhedopo SD, Pollar B 001, The SON, Boyzie RS, King Mzesh, Alec The Father’s Hope, Vexy Lee, Pbl Megamind, DjDrejik Twosixfive Khobwe, SlimNutty Nobaby, and General Chris. Each artist brought their own style, flow, and lyrical message, transforming the cypher into a rich tapestry of sound, culture, and storytelling.
Bless LePoet described the final track as more than just music — to him, it was a message of resilience. “The song will be here to uplift you from the depths of despair. It will be a beacon of hope, a melody. With rhythms that inspire and lyrics that empower, Bars2Bars will be your anthem to rise above and seize your moment,” he said. This vision of using hip-hop as a tool for empowerment has become a central theme of the cypher over the years.
Looking ahead, the success of season four has already sparked excitement for the upcoming fifth season. With momentum growing and support from fans across borders, Bars2Bars is fast becoming one of the most influential platforms for hip-hop in the region. The passion and dedication of Bless LePoet and BoB Musician continue to be the driving force behind this initiative, proving that with the right support, local talent can truly shine on a global stage.
In conclusion, season four of the Bars2Bars Cypher not only celebrated the richness of hip-hop culture but also demonstrated the importance of creating spaces where young artists can be heard. It reaffirmed that collaboration, expression, and opportunity are key ingredients in building a thriving music scene. As anticipation builds for season five, fans can rest assured that the spirit of Bars2Bars will continue to rise — one verse at a time.
