In a light-hearted comment made almost two years after the release of the impactful ZimDancehall track “Ibotso,” Hip Hop star Holy Ten revealed that his participation in the song was prompted by a less-than-serious bribe of two bottles of Gin and pizza from Winky D.
“I wasn’t forced as such,” Holy Ten clarified in response to a fan’s tweet that questioned whether he had been compelled to sing certain lines. “But Winky vaanditengera two ma Strettons ne Hawaiian pizza knowing ndikadhakwa I won’t ask too many questions,” he joked.
Released in 2021, “Ibotso” quickly attracted controversy, as it was banned from all state-controlled radio and television stations within 24 hours. The song, which is particularly popular in Zimbabwe’s ghettos, addresses the misuse of resources by the wealthy and powerful, highlighting social injustices faced by the impoverished population.
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Upon realizing the unexpected backlash from fans who interpreted his lyrics as criticisms of high-ranking Zanu PF officials—who have been criticized for flaunting unexplained wealth—Holy Ten sought to distance himself from the controversial lines. He claimed that Winky D had misled him into dissing those who were financially supporting him and his family.
Despite the controversy, Winky D himself chose not to respond to the criticism or the ensuing drama. The track “Ibotso” was included in Winky D’s 2023 album “Eureka Eureka,” which features several rising stars from Zimbabwe’s music scene, such as Enzoh, Ishall, and Saintfloew.
As one of Zimbabwe’s emerging talents, Holy Ten faced significant backlash for his involvement in the song, but he continues to maintain his stance with a blend of humor and deflection.
