Kudakwashe Matambo, popularly known as Horsepower the Thug is a Gospel Hip Hop who was born on July 5, 2001. He discovered his artistic talents during his high school years, from 2015 to 2018, where he first made a name for himself as a stand-up comedian. “I made waves within the comedy sector and won several awards,” he shares.
Growing up in a religious family, Horsepower developed a deep devotion to his faith. “My passion for service grew, leading me to transition from comedy to songwriting for others, and eventually to becoming a recording artist,” he explains. Influenced by Christian rappers like Lecrae, KB, and Zauntee, he found his unique sound, blending local and international styles.
Being a Christian hip-hop artist has profoundly shaped his character and ambitions. “I want to reach out to the masses and share the gospel,” he says, reflecting on his life journey after losing his parents at the age of one. “My music draws from my daily experiences and is centered around Bible quotes, aimed at giving courage to those in need.”
Horsepower emphasizes that his music is built on clean lyrics that promote love, peace, and positivity, steering clear of violence, drugs, and abuse. His latest release, “Ndega Ndinopera,” serves as a heartfelt prayer, expressing his reliance on God: “Lord, if you leave me, I’m nothing without you.”
Currently, he is working on an EP titled Faithful Till The End, which conveys an encouraging message to remain steadfast through life’s struggles. “There’s a reward for those who stay faithful to the Lord,” he asserts.
However, the journey has not been without challenges. “Christian hip-hop artists often face barriers, like limited performance opportunities and misconceptions about our music,” he notes. Despite these obstacles, Horsepower is gaining recognition and has been nominated for awards within Zimbabwe’s gospel scene.
Yet, he acknowledges the financial hurdles: “I struggle to afford quality studio time and video production.” To promote his music, he relies on platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, and YouTube.
His advice to aspiring artists is simple: “Persistence is key. Negativity will come your way, but don’t give up easily.” Looking ahead, he envisions a bright future in the gospel hip-hop industry. “My goal is to reach international platforms and make Jesus known,” he says passionately.
Horsepower dreams of collaborating with notable artists, both local and international, including Takesure Zamar, Minister Mahendere, Janet Manyowa, Lecrae, and KB. “I want to leave a lasting impact as one of the best hip-hop artists in the gospel scene.”
In his free time, he enjoys riding bikes, hitting the gym, reading the Bible, hiking, and playing rugby. “Criticism is part of the journey, so I just ignore the negative and move on,” he adds.
Horsepower hopes that his music inspires fans to find courage and positivity, encouraging them to push through tough times. “I want my listeners to take away strength and good news from my journey,” he concludes.