Laygwan Sharkie

Laygwan Sharkie is a Zimbabwean singer, songwriter, and rapper, from Harare, Zimbabwe, currently based in Bielefeld, Germany, with numerous accolades to his name.

A member of the BFT - The Blackfoot Tribe, Laygwan helped to pioneer the hip-hop movement in Zimbabwe and Southern Africa as a whole. The collective was made up of Professor The Four P, Vic Fox, Laygwan Sharkie, Chief ‘Tone Capone’ Chihota, and Rassie Ai (Takura). The group was part of a young generation finding their voices under the guidance of [a=Andy Brown and the Storm]. As a late addition to A Peace Of Ebony, a pioneering afro hip-hop group from Zimbabwe, Laygwan contributed to their sophomore effort of 1994 "Vadzimu-Putumayo", upon which the group toured most of Southern Africa and Madagascar before internal differences, led to the group members going their separate ways.

Also known as "The Article Don" or "The Leopard Hunter" Laygwan rose to prominence in Southern Africa, with the single "I'd rather be a Gangster", off the soundtrack "Everyone's Child", an independent Zimbabwean film from 1996, which was directed by Tsitsi Dangarembga. The soundtrack also featured such local luminaries as Chiwoniso Maraire and [a=Thomas Mapfumo And The Blacks Unlimited].

Moving to Johannesburg, South Africa in 1996, with the likes of Metaphysics and Tony Chihota. The three immersed themselves in the South African music scene, before heading back to Harare, giving countless performances alongside the likes of Kataklizim, Black Foot Trybe, and several others.

In 1999 Laygwan Sharkie relocated once more, this time around to Bielefeld, Germany. From where he has been involved in numerous other projects, including True Khoisan, Migrant Souls, Flop Dem Crew, and his latest group AbrahamRollaz. Having recorded with the likes of Hugh Masekela, Brothers Of Peace, Patrice, Tyron Ricketts, Metaphysics, Snazz D, Clueso, DJ Chestnut, Flaps, Bukue One, Louie Vega, Raw Artistic Soul, Levthand, and many more.