Zimbabwean music is heavily reliant on the use of instruments such as the mbira, Ngoma drums and hosho. Their music symbolizes much more than a simple rhythm, as the folk and pop style styled music was used as a symbol of hope for Zimbabweans looking to gain independence from Rhodesia. Music has played a significant role in the history of Zimbabwe, from a vital role in the traditional Bira ceremony used to call on ancestral spirits, to protest songs during the struggle for independence. The community in Zimbabwe used music to voice their resistance to their oppression, as one of the only weapons they had available to fight back with. In the eighties, the Music of Zimbabwe was at the center of the African Music scene thanks to genres such as Sungura and Jit. However, several performers were banned by state TV and radio leading to the closing of several music venues.
Priscilla Marie Winans Love, known professionally as CeCe Winans, is an American gospel singer. She rose to prominence as a member of the duo BeBe & CeCe Winans; before launching a solo career. Winans has been awarded 15 Grammy Awards, the most for a female gospel singer; and 31 GMA Dove Awards, 16 Stellar Awards, 7 NAACP Image Awards, along with many other awards and honors to her credit. Winans is considered to be one of the greatest gospel artists of all time, the most-awarded gospel artist of all time, and is the best-selling gospel act of all time.
The Clark Sisters are an American gospel vocal group originally consisting of five sisters: Jacky Clark Chisholm, Denise "Niecy" Clark-Bradford, Elbernita "Twinkie" Clark, Dorinda Clark-Cole, and Karen Clark Sheard. The Clark Sisters are the daughters of gospel musician and choral director Dr. Mattie Moss Clark. They are credited for helping to bring gospel music to the mainstream and are considered pioneers of contemporary gospel.
Karen Valencia Clark Sheard is an American Grammy Award–winning Gospel singer, musician, songwriter, and businesswoman. Clark-Sheard is the wife of the current Church of God in Christ Presiding Bishop J. Drew Sheard and she serves as the current First Lady of the COGIC denomination. Clark-Sheard is the youngest member of gospel group the Clark Sisters. She is also the mother of contemporary gospel singer and actress Kierra "Kiki" Sheard. She has released five solo albums, seventeen with the Clark Sisters, and collaborated with her son J. Drew Sheard II and her daughter Kierra Sheard.
Natalie Diane Grant is an American singer and songwriter of contemporary Christian music. She received the Gospel Music Association's Dove Award for Female Vocalist of the Year four consecutive years, and again in 2012. She has also been nominated for eight Grammy Awards.
Dorinda Grace Clark-Cole is an American Grammy Award-winning gospel singer, songwriter, musician, talk show host, and evangelist. Clark–Cole is best known as a member of family vocal group The Clark Sisters and as a daughter of pioneering choral director Mattie Moss Clark. As a member of The Clark Sisters, Clark–Cole has won two Grammy Awards. She is known to the music world as the Rose of Gospel Music.
Carol Mujokoro is a Zimbabwean Christian/gospel music artist and pastor.
Shingisai Suluma is a Zimbabwean Christian singer, songwriter and worship leader.
Derrick Ndzimande is a South African gospel musician popular in the Pentecostal church movements of the early 1980s and early 1990s. He sings with a deep falsetto baritone voice. He is also a pastor at the Church of Jesus Christ, music producer and a former teacher at Blomplaas Primary School. He is best known for his albums "Nangu Jesu" and "The Power(Amanda) ". He is married to Martha Ndinisa and they have a son, Surprise. Lives in Belfast.
Michael Mahendere born 28 May 1983 is a Zimbabwean gospel musician, preacher and businessman. Mahendere is a pastor at United Family International Church under Emmanuel Makandiwa. He rose to prominence after re-arranged the song, Makanaka Jesu together with the UFI Choir, which became a hit and is also well known for his album, Getting Personal With God II with hits such as Mumoyo. He is usually associated with the title, "Minister" Michael Mahendere.
Clive 'Mono' Mukundu is a Zimbabwean music producer, composer, and multi-instrumentalist largely known as a guitarist. He is also an author. Mukundu has featured on more than 1000 albums and over 200 singles from 1988 to date.
Selmor Mtukudzi is a Zimbabwean musician and actress. She is the daughter of the late Zimbabwean music icon and national hero, Oliver Mtukudzi.
Janet Manyowa is a Zimbabwean gospel musician.
Gugulethu Khumalo, best known by her stage name Berita, is a Zimbabwean-born singer, songwriter and music producer. Her music is a combination of soul music containing elements from Afro Jazz, contemporary pop influences as well as South African dance music. She is the owner of the independent record label Assali Music. She is also the founder of the Women of Music Business (WOMB), a pan African women empowerment organisation in the music industry.
Carole Nyakudya is a prominent Zimbabwean gospel music artist, entrepreneur, a founding member of the Zimpraise Choir and presenter for a popular online television platform, Zimbolive TV.
Temba Tagwireyi, known professionally as Tembalami, is a Zimbabwean gospel artist and businessman.
Admire Kasi, also known as Addy Kasi, is a Zimbabwean gospel music producer and promoter who rose to prominence when he launched the first gospel festival in Zimbabwe, Nguva Yakwana Gospel Concert. His influence was generated when he became an international pastor for ZAOGA church, during that time he launched a lunchtime prayer movement that became popular spreading around Harare CBD in the 90s.
Nursel is a Zimbabwean gospel music artist based in Britain.
Everton Mlalazi is Zimbabwean gospel artist.
Felistus Chipendo, best known by her stage name Feli Nandi, is a Zimbabwean singer, songwriter and fashion designer. Her music is a combination of soul music containing elements from Afro-fusion. She is also the owner of the clothing line Feli Nandi Apparel, which she formed in 2021.
