“Classy AND Surgical”: Hopewell Crowns Jah Prayzah’s Sori Zimbabwe’s Ultimate Diss Track!
The Critic: Hopewell Chin'ono | The Song: "Sori" by Jah Prayzah
Award-winning journalist Hopewell Chin’ono has sparked debate within Zimbabwe’s music industry after declaring Jah Prayzah’s track “Sori” the ultimate and most classy diss song in the country’s history. He praised the artist’s refined delivery, arguing that the track stands apart from the confrontational and aggressive style often associated with diss records.
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| Jah Prayzah |
According to Chin’ono, Jah Prayzah’s “surgical” approach elevates “Sori” into a league of its own, placing it above even the iconic clashes of the Zimdancehall era. He believes the song’s subtlety and precision demonstrate a maturity rarely seen in musical rivalries, redefining what a diss track can achieve.
A League of Its Own
Chin'ono claims the track will "stand the test of time" unlike its predecessors.
THE CLAIM
Song: "Sori" (Jah Prayzah)
Status: "The only ultimate and most classy diss track in Zim history."
Deconstructing the "Diss"
According to Chin'ono, most diss tracks rely on rage, insults, and shouting. He argues "Sori" is different because it is "controlled, confident, and surgical." It contains no bitterness or desperation, allowing it to say more by doing less.
The core of Chin'ono's argument is transferability. While tracks like Soul Jah Love's "Kwapaidza" were hyper-focused on specific rivals (Seh Calaz), "Sori" is generic. It allows listeners to apply the lyrics to their own lives—their jealous colleagues, toxic family members, or personal enemies. It becomes a "mirror" for the audience rather than just an industry squabble.
"Diss tracks burn hot and fade because they are too specific," Chin'ono wrote. He predicts "Sori" will have longevity because it speaks to the universal human experience of envy and betrayal, breaking out of the "small, self-contained space" of music industry beefs.
The Man Behind the Pen
Why does his opinion matter? A look at Hopewell Chin'ono's credentials.
Born March 26, 1971, Chin'ono is a veteran journalist with a global footprint. He has served as a foreign correspondent for The New York Times, a field producer for ITV News Africa, and has worked extensively with the BBC. He is also a Nieman Fellow at Harvard University and an Archbishop Desmond Tutu Fellow at Oxford.
Chin'ono is best known for exposing the US$60 million "Draxgate" COVID-19 procurement scandal in 2020. His investigative reporting directly led to the dismissal and arrest of then-Health Minister Obadiah Moyo, cementing Chin'ono's status as a leading anti-corruption activist.
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| Hopewell Chin'ono |
His activism has come at a high personal cost. Chin'ono has been arrested multiple times (2020, 2021) on charges ranging from "incitement to public violence" to "communicating falsehoods"—a law later ruled non-existent. He spent significant time in Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison, where he exposed the facility's deteriorating conditions to the world.
Major Awards:
- 2022: International Anti-Corruption Excellence Award (Doha).
- 2020: Greenfield People Journalist of the Year.
- 2008: CNN African Journalist of the Year.
Filmography: He has produced critically acclaimed documentaries including Pain in My Heart (2007) on HIV/AIDS, A Violent Response (2010), and State of Mind (2019).
Recent Activity (Dec 2025): He recently attended the International Anti-Corruption Awards in Qatar, celebrating fellow Zimbabwean Tatenda Chitagu's win.
"I Need to Open a School"
The Comprehension Deficit
Chin'ono expressed frustration with fans who countered his argument by citing Soul Jah Love’s "Kwapaidza" as a superior diss track. He quipped that he might need to "open a comprehension school," arguing that critics missed his point entirely.
"Kwapaidza speaks about a specific individual... That is direct, targeted, and personal," he retorted, emphasizing that Sori's power lies precisely in the fact that it does not target a named individual, making it a tool for the public to use.
The Personality Cult Problem
"Taste does not have to be tribal."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Issue: Blind Loyalty
Chin'ono criticized the polarization between Winky D and Jah Prayzah fans, stating that "personality cults have destroyed our ability to think with nuance."
ALBUM OF THE YEAR?
Hopewell's Verdict: Yes
"It is the best album released this year. These are songs that audiences sing from start to finish without the artist uttering a word."
The Bottom Line: Whether you back Gafa or Wagwizi, Chin'ono argues that quality is quality. "I am a sound man... I do not care who delivers it."
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