New Zimbabwean music awards scheme launched in SA

Founded by Underground Entertainment CEO Phakamani ‘PK’ Nkomo, the inaugural Zim Music Awards will feature 11 categories, including Song of the Year, Album of the Year and Best Live Performance. More categories like Best Sungura, Best Rhumba, Best Maskandi and Best Gospel are expected to be added in future editions.

“The plan is not really to be different or to be the same either,” Nkomo told Music In Africa. “The reason we are doing this is for the game, it’s for the art form. We want to bring value to the artists and honour fans by giving them a platform to honour their icons.”

Nkomo revealed that music professionals were responsible for selecting this year’s nominees. However, he emphasised that the next edition will include fans in the nomination process, ensuring a more inclusive and diverse selection of nominees

“We approached a number of radio DJs and media personalities and they gave us their nominees,” he said. “The ones you see on the voting site are the ones who had the most nominations. Now it’s time for the fans to vote for the winner.”

The public can vote for their favourite artists here.

Below are the categories and nominees:

Song of the Year

• ‘Imithwalo’ – DJ 20
• ‘Gore’ – 216 Whisky
• ‘Ingasutha Ayizingeli’ – Amathonga Amahle
• ‘Chiremerere’ – Jah Prayzah
• ‘Pressure’ – Holy ten

Album of the Year

• King of Hearts – Takura
• Trophy – Freeman
• Chiremerera – Jah Prayzah
• Sek'Velokunye ft. Bazabefumbethe – DJ 20
• The New Bhundu Boys - Holy Ten

Best Live Performance

• Winky D
• Alick Macheso
• Clement Magwaza
• Suluman Chimbetu
• Mokoomba

Best Music Video

• ‘Dhanzi’ – Master H ft. Voltz JT
• ‘Superstar’ – Delroy Shewe ft. Saint Floew
• ‘Dzimba Dzemambwe’ – Winky d ft. Shingai
• ‘Kutadzirana’ – Alick Macheso
• ‘Sarungano’ – Jah Prayzah ft. Feli Nandi

Best Single Track

• ‘Baby Raroorwa’ – Enzo
• ‘Latina’ – Tshongogwe
• ‘Pamwe Wanga Usingade’ – Saintfloew
• ‘Hwisiri’ – Kae Chaps
• ‘MumaStreets’ – Linx Kariloss

Outstanding Male Artist

• Killer T
• Insimbi zeZhwane
• Nox Guni
• Mark Ngwazi
• Silent Killer

Outstanding Female Artist

• Dorcas Moyo
• Mazilankatha
• Feli Nandi
• Gemma Griffiths
• Sandra Ndebele

Best Newcomer

• 216 Whisky
• Andrea the Vocalist
• Bagga
• Jcee
• Michael Magz

Best Music Producer

• Oskid
• DJ Tamuka
• Levels
• Nyasha Timbe
• Iyck D

Best Styled Group

• Insimbi zeZhwane
• Freeman
• Suluman Chimbetu
• Jah Prayzah
• Nutty O

Best Artist in Diaspora

• Nox Guni
• Linx Kariloss
• Buffalo Souljah
• Jah Seed
• Qounfuzed