Outspoken is a spoken word emcee from Harare, combining soul-stirring, politically infused lyrics with an Afrosoul hip-hop sound. Outspoken is the frontman of Harare-based band -- Outspoken and The Essence -- a fusion of Hip-Hop with Reggae, Soul, Rock and African rhythms. He is also one half of the Hip-Hop duo -- Dialectrik Blue -- an underground outfit with something to say. Outspoken performs regularly in his hometown, Harare, and across southern Africa.

Outspoken the activist is the co-founder and Projects Facilitator of Magamba Cultural Activist Network, an organization that uses artistic expression as a tool for community development through organizing and hosting various skills-sharing workshops and community outreach projects. He also regularly works with other institutions such as The British Council, Zimbabwe-German Society, Pamberi Trust and Tree of Life as a workshop facilitator or consultant.

Born in September 1983 to the name Tongai Leslie Makawa, Outspoken the artist has stretched his art-form from Zimbabwe, to South Africa, the U.S.A., Germany, Belgium, Serbia, Reunion Island, Kenya, Senegal, Botswana, Swaziland, Netherlands, and beyond, touring either with his band or as a solo spoken word artist. Outspoken is set to release his debut album with his band, titled Uncool and Overrated, at the end of 2011. His band comprises of drums, bass, guitar, violin, brass section and backing vocals to accentuate his spoken word and Hip-Hop style.