A Brotherly Affair: Inspired by Stories of the Old...

A Brotherly Affair: Inspired by Stories of the Old Ages

Oscar J Jeke- Zim Now Reporter

In the heart of Bulawayo’s oldest township, Makokoba, music flows through the veins of two brothers, Talent and Talkmore Sibanda, better known as Tee x Tekie.

Born and raised in the historic suburb, the duo’s journey into music began in 2005 during a trip to South Africa, where their love for rhythm and melody grew into a lifelong pursuit.

Their craft draws heavily from the storytelling traditions of their childhood. “Growing up, we used to have our grandparents tell us stories with songs in them,” Talent recalls. “We adapted that and twisted it to make the whole story a song.”

The brothers believe storytelling is at the heart of their music and that any life experience—personal or shared—can be turned into a song if it carries influence.

The process, they say, begins with melody. “Usually, the melody comes first, then we fill in some rhymes,” Tekie explains.

The beat determines the concept; melodies set the emotion, while the bassline and kicks create the vibe. From there, they craft choruses and verses, rehearse until they catch the perfect flow, and head into the studio.

For Tee x Tekie, emotion is the secret ingredient.

“The trick is knowing the right emotion to use on each song,” says Talent. “The emotion influences the technique, and it’s how we connect with our audience.”

Their influences are as diverse as their music—ranging from Zimbabwean acts like Dflex, ExQ, and Mafrique, to international icons such as R. Kelly, 50 Cent, and T.I. They also draw inspiration from African soap operas and Black American films, merging local and global storytelling styles.

Over the years, their music has elicited powerful reactions. “We’ve had listeners cry while playing our songs,” Tekie says with quiet pride.

“That’s the most powerful feedback we’ve had so far.” Their live performances carry the same intimacy, a modern-day echo of sitting around a fire listening to elders weave tales.

While they write all their own material, the brothers have also penned songs for other artists. Ghostwriters, they say, are not for them—authenticity is too important. “We just need our fans to share love and unity,” Talent adds. “By that, we can accomplish greater goals, personally and socially.”

The road hasn’t been without challenges. Some audiences request experiences they haven’t lived, like club scenes.

“It’s hard to create something relatable when we’ve never experienced it,” Tekie admits. “But as we live, we’ll dive into those to reach different audiences.”

With eyes set firmly on the future, Tee x Tekie are aiming for global recognition within five years.

“Our songs are not only aimed locally,” Talent says, “but the creativity goes as far as international standard.” Through it all, they remain grounded in the principles that have carried them since Makokoba—consistency, respect for their audience, and an unwavering belief in the power of storytelling.

As they see it, they’re not just making music—they’re continuing the work of their grandparents, preserving and transforming the ancient art of oral storytelling for a new generation.

And in that sense, Tee x Tekie’s music is more than just a brotherly affair; it’s a living bridge between the past and the present.