They speak in proverbs and idioms, move with purpose, and are rewriting the narrative. Rooted in culture yet defying convention, they’ve been dubbed “Preachers of a New Gospel” by Culture Club – Magazine. We introduce our cover stars, Given Da Chief & H’ & Them.
Any form of artistry is delicate—from its creation to its consumption. Putting pen to paper sounds easy in theory, but in practice, it’s quite complex. However, for musical artists like Given Da Chief and H’ & Them, it comes as naturally as blood pumping through their veins.
Their music exists in contrast, conveying messages of faith with street codes and referencing scriptures in 808s. They quote the Bible as easily as they recount life in the streets, blurring the lines between the sacred and the worldly. It’s a gospel of their own making, one that speaks to survival, redemption, and the realities of the world they navigate.
“Ndi gospel ya vhaswa.”
– Given Da Chief and H’ & Them
Given Nganeyavhutshilo Mutheiwana, known musically as Given Da Chief, is one of the industry’s rising names. With just one mixtape, “Tshinwalinwali,” he is already climbing the charts and earning co-signs from established artists like J-Smash, Zoocci Coke Dope, Tyson Sybateli and Saudi through collaborations.
His music often draws inspiration from biblical stories, a reflection of his strong Christian upbringing. Raised by his grandparents, with his grandfather serving as a pastor, his faith naturally influences his sound and storytelling.
“Ndi rine vhakhethwa khethwa. Ndi rine ro fungaho tshedza”
– Given Da Chief
Born Aluwani Silas Thovhakale, known as H’ & Them or Hermit if you know him from his poetry days, is described as an experimental musician with a genre-bending sound, he blends an array of genres, keeping listeners on their toes. H’ & Them is an artist who defies categorization. Drawing inspiration from his daily life, he seamlessly incorporates his knowledge of the Bible, mythology, Tshivenda folklore, and literature into his music.
With several projects under his belt, H’ & Them has demonstrated his versatility. From the laid-back raps of his first project “The Actual Songs”, to the mellow melodies of “Home in a Bit”, and the high-energy lyrics of “To Each a Robbery”, H’ & Them continues to carve out a unique path for himself.
“Na vhafunzi vho nngudisa. I had some things I had to preach.”
– H’ & Them
“A large part of existence in this creative economy is spent wondering if there’d be more success if I spoke a language that more people understood. I often wonder if my songwriting would be widely celebrated if it could be dissected and understood. There are times when the melody won’t strike you, times when the only thing you can rely on is the text—but what happens when you belong to a small minority that doesn’t have a space in the bigger creative economy?” – Muneyi
With that in mind, it’s essential to celebrate the resilience of our people, regardless of the size of their wins. Our community, often marginalized and overlooked, has birthed and adopted a variety of music genres that speak to our diverse experiences, blending traditional sounds with modern influences. Sharing their artistry in their mother tongue allows them to preserve their heritage while pushing boundaries in the global music scene. As humans we often fight through multiple barriers, and for many artists, the journey to be heard is far more difficult than it should be. Yet, in these struggles, they continue to create, reclaim, and redefine their narratives through music.
Given Da Chief and H’ & Them do not allow the challenge of being misunderstood, simply because they primarily rap and sing in Tshivenda hold them back. Instead, they thrive in their artistry while steadily building a devoted following.
Culture Club - Magazine 