Victor Kunonga

BIO

VICTOR KUNONGA is one of the leading Zimbabwean musicians who, with his band ‘Peace’, has a
wide following in Zimbabwe and around the world, built up over the last two decades. His music is
characteristically Zimbabwean traditional afro-fusion, derived from many influences, weaving a
musical carpet with the soaring interplay of guitars over traditional drumbeats, fused with the
echoes of the Mbira (thumb piano), and spiced with percussive instruments of Africa. It was
described by the late South African jazz legend Hugh Masekela as “a fresh, dynamic international
sound rooted in African rhythms; musically very superior.”
A masterful storyteller and lyricist, his songs and their popularity derive from a profound sense of
dignity and social awareness. His lyrics and backing vocals tell real stories, reflecting the voices of the
voiceless in contemporary Zimbabwe, emerging from crisis and social inequity. He brings these
issues to light in a lively stage performance and highly danceable repertoire, for which he has been
quoted as ‘a phenomena’ and ‘Zimbabwean musical genius’. The song Induna (King) was described
as portraying “the indomitable spirit of the people of Africa – bearing the present with strength,
courage, humor and looking to the future with hope and confidence”.
Kunonga’s 2004 debut album, Such is Life: Ndanyengetedzwa, launched him as one of the most
exciting new talents in the local music industry, receiving both critical acclaim and chart success. His
second album, Uyo (2006), was described as 'a gem' (The Standard); 'a fantastic piece' (Financial
Gazette) and 'mind blowing' (The Herald). The album earned him the award for the Best Traditional
Contemporary Group/Artiste at the Zimbabwe Music Awards in the same year.
From there he rose from strength to strength, and to date Kunonga has five albums to his credit,
with a sixth being launched in 2023, receiving good airplay on national radio and online, and which
he performs on stages from the most humble to the highest-level events and festivals in the country.

“it’s not about awards or topping the charts - it’s about having the opportunity to compose
and play my music from a place ‘deep within’ that wins the hearts of the people who hear it.” ~ Victor Kunonga

COLLABORATIONS
With many local collaborations on his report card, Kunonga has also performed alongside acclaimed
artists of southern Africa including Oliver Mtukudzi, Steve Dyer, Malaika, Habib Coyete, Jabu
Khanyile, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Bheki Khoza, Judith Sephuma, Louis Mhlanga, and Hugh Masekela;
and beyond the region, Constant Oudraogo from Burkina Faso, and Canada-based Jamaican poet Dbi Young.
Beyond Zimbabwe, his music has reached audiences in live performances in Mozambique, Namibia,
Malawi, Swaziland and Nigeria.

Victor Kunonga has mentored and supported several young emerging artists, and also produced a
number of other local artists.