Young Gemini won’t ask for your respect — she demands it. – The Hip Hop African
On the front lines of fighting for women’s representation in Zimhiphop is Young Gemini, a young woman currently living in Harare and pushing barriers with her storytelling. Switching between Shona and English seamlessly, she does not limit herself to one language just like many other Zim rappers that use a lot of code-mixing in their verses. Starting as a MUA with her music career as a side gig, she was able to propel herself into popularity at the young age of 21, becoming one of Zimbabwe’s youngest rappers. Young Gemini’s music offers a poignant reflection of the human experience, highlighting the importance of resilience, vulnerability, and self-expression. Through her artistry, she not only shares her story but also empowers others to find strength in their own narratives. In an interview with Inc.Africa, she expresses her desire to help more women rappers, producers, etc. break into the scene and possibly creating an entirely female-run studio one day to give back to her community.
In a recent track by Young Gemini, she raps about a situation getting severe and asks for intervention to ensure her safety. The lyrics speak to a deep need for reassurance and protection in the face of adversity, while her expressions in the video show that while she is asking for help, that is not a sign of weakness for her. This theme of perseverance through diversity and opening up about vulnerable emotions is seen throughout many of her releases, especially in her single MAE, dedicated to her baby girl that unfortunately passed only a few months after birth. This perspective of maternal grief after such a terrible event such as the passing of a child is not heard much in a rap scene dominated with men. Regardless, she deals with her emotions, especially grief, throughout her music, processing them with her creative lyrics and showing that vulnerability and emotions are not something that should be ignored when expressing yourself as an emcee. Through her lyrics and artistic expression, she challenges stereotypes and encourages listeners to confront and embrace their own vulnerabilities.
Through her advocacy for women’s representation and her willingness to address difficult subjects like maternal grief, Young Gemini is paving the way for a more inclusive and empathetic rap scene in Zimbabwe. Her authenticity, resilience, and commitment to empowering others make her a trailblazer in her community and beyond. Not to mention, her singing and rapping display a talent that deserves to be shared with the world. Keep a lookout for new releases by Young Gemini because her aspired domination over the Zimhiphop scene is far from over and she is bound to achieve more amazing things in the future.
