Winky D takes African message global with new album Tête-à-Tête (Hello Africa)

Known for his influential role in the evolution of Zimdancehall, Winky D has built a distinctive artistic identity around the experiences, language and aspirations of ordinary Zimbabweans.

With Tête-à-Tête (Hello Africa), he extends that approach beyond national borders, examining questions of dignity, leadership, solidarity and Africa’s place in the global cultural landscape.

The album’s title signals an invitation to conversation rather than a declaration of arrival. For Winky D, the project recognises the connections between African societies, where different histories and circumstances often give rise to shared questions about opportunity, belonging and progress. “I have never considered Zimbabwean experience to exist in isolation from the rest of Africa,” he reflects. “The decision was therefore not necessarily to abandon a national conversation for a continental one. It was to acknowledge the larger geography of experiences that have always informed my music.”

Musically, the project leans further into roots reggae, drawing on a tradition shaped by questions of identity, freedom, spirituality and human dignity. Rather than simply reproducing the genre’s Caribbean foundations, Winky D approaches reggae through Zimbabwean storytelling, metaphor and social observation, bringing local experiences into a broader African conversation.

The album’s collaborations reinforce this vision. Nigerian artist Patoranking joins Winky D on ‘Leadership’, a track exploring authority and responsibility, while Ghanaian reggae musician Rocky Dawuni features on ‘Hello Africa’, connecting the project to a wider tradition of African roots reggae. Raybekah also contributes to ‘Greedy’, adding another perspective to the album’s examination of human appetite and moral choices.

For Winky D, these collaborations represent an opportunity for artists to bring their individual cultural identities into a shared creative space. Beyond the immediate possibilities of reaching new audiences, he sees cross-border relationships as an important part of building a more connected African music industry. “Pan-Africanism becomes meaningful when it is practised through cooperation, not simply announced through geographical references,” he says.

That philosophy extends to the album’s broader themes. Tracks such as ‘Leadership’ and ‘Blind Patriots’ consider the relationship between power, accountability and national identity, encouraging listeners to reflect on the responsibilities that accompany citizenship and the meaning of genuine patriotism. The project does not seek to provide definitive answers to the questions it raises, but instead creates room for reflection through music.

Winky D remains equally conscious of the economic realities surrounding African music’s growing international visibility. While global audiences are increasingly engaging with African sounds, he argues that recognition must be accompanied by stronger creative institutions, greater ownership and sustainable opportunities for artists. “There is a difference between being celebrated and being empowered,” he observes.

For him, meaningful continental solidarity should extend into the practical workings of the music business, from regional touring networks and knowledge-sharing to intellectual property protection and fair commercial agreements. It is a perspective that positions Tête-à-Tête (Hello Africa) as both a musical statement and an invitation to consider how African creativity can translate into lasting cultural and economic value.

The album also reflects Winky D’s longstanding commitment to artistic evolution. From his early years as Wicked Deejay in Kambuzuma to the development of his distinctive sound and his transition towards live-band performance in 2011, his career has been shaped by a willingness to explore new creative possibilities without abandoning his foundations. “I see artistic evolution as a continuation of identity rather than a departure from it,” he explains.

That approach has allowed him to navigate changing musical trends while maintaining a recognisable voice. His 2023 20-year career celebration at the Harare International Conference Centre marked a significant milestone, while his recognition as Best African Dancehall Entertainer in Jamaica that same year underscored the wider reach of his work.

Yet, as Tête-à-Tête (Hello Africa) demonstrates, longevity for Winky D is not simply about sustaining a successful career. It is also about examining what the music contributes to the people who listen to it and the society in which it exists.

As Winky D puts it, “The purpose of extending a conversation is not merely to reach more people. It is to discover what we can understand together that we could not understand alone.”