Harare is the capital and most populous city of Zimbabwe. The city proper has an area of 940 km2 (371 mi2) and a population of 2,123,132 in the 2012 census and an estimated 3,120,917 in its metropolitan area in 2019. Situated in north-eastern Zimbabwe in the country's Mashonaland region, Harare is a metropolitan province, which also incorporates the municipalities of Chitungwiza and Epworth. The city sits on a plateau at an elevation of 1,483 metres above sea level and its climate falls into the subtropical highland category.
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.
Thomas Tafirenyika Mapfumo is a musician nicknamed "The Lion of Zimbabwe" and "Mukanya" for his immense popularity and for the political influence he wields through his music, including his sharp criticism of the government of former Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe. He both created and made popular Chimurenga music, and his slow-moving style and distinctive voice is instantly recognisable to Zimbabweans.
Chris Berry is an American singer, songwriter, and musician. He plays the mbira and the ngoma drum, from the Shona people of Southern Africa. His records with the band Panjea have gone platinum in Zimbabwe and Mozambique. He has released over a dozen albums; scored the soundtrack for three films; and collaborated and performed with many other artists.
The Four Brothers were a pop group from Zimbabwe. The members were not brothers. They played fast-paced guitar-based pop music with songs sung in the Shona language. Their lead guitar string-plucking sound is reminiscent of the sound of the African mbira instrument and is a style known as 'jit'.
Ngonidzashe Kambarami, popularly known as Ngonie, is a Zimbabwean musician who has produced three albums to date: Ndinoimba, Angu Mashoko, and idenderedzwa. His debut song "Ndiwe Chete" launched his music career in 2002, leading to the release of his first album.
Winky D, born Wallace Chirumiko is a Zimbabwean reggae-dancehall artist, known popularly as "The Big Man", and also known as Dancehall Igwe, Gaffa, Ninja President, Proffessor, Extraterrestrial etc. He is often considered the Zimdancehall pioneer and one of the most accomplished modern Zimbabwean music artists . Not much is known about his wife but he in a few songs has mentioned his child's name Tayenda. The gaffas have continued to defend him about this issue claiming that it could be because of the respect he has for his family that he keeps them far from drama. He was born in Kambuzuma,a high density suburb in Zimbabwe's capital, Harare. He was also a presenter for the Rockers Vibes programme that was an all reggae programme, together with Trevor Hall.
Victor Kunonga is a Zimbabwean award-winning Afro-jazz singer and songwriter. Though having come to light in 2004, Victor quickly rose to fame with his first two albums and was a household name by 2007.
Louis Mhlanga is a Zimbabwean artist based in South Africa, an award-winning guitarist and producer. Mhlanga taught himself to play the guitar at a young age and is considered one of the best Southern African guitarists.
Shed Studios was responsible for the production of hundreds of band recordings and a large body of music used for various advertisements and films in Rhodesia, and later in Zimbabwe, from 1975 until 2000. The company "Shed Recording Studios (Pvt) Ltd" began in 1975, as a collaboration between Steve Roskilly, Martin Norris and Neil Thain, all employees of Rhodesia Television.
Jonah Sithole (1952–1997) was a Zimbabwean guitarist, vocalist and composer, known particularly for the mbira-inspired style known as mbira-guitar or chimurenga music.
James Chimombe (1951–1990) was a Zimbabwean vocalist and a guitarist. His career included stints with OK Success, the Acid Band, the Ocean City Band, and the Huchi Band. His music melded Kenyan, South African, and Congolese influences into Zimbabwean music. James also worked American Country & Western sounds into his music, combining them with African horns and light, lilting guitar lines. James Chimombe is known as the Phil Collins of Zimbabwe. Had he been alive today, he would have been as well known as Tuku. Tuku and Chimombe are both sons of Highfields, aka Fio. His music was soulful and presented the heart of the Shona culture.
Rockford Josphat, better known by his stage names Roki or Rocqui, is a Zimbabwean contemporary musician, who has also tapped into acting. Born in Madagascar and raised in ParkTown Waterfalls Harare, Roki made his debut in 2001 after releasing hits such as "Seiko" which featured Leonard Mapfumo and Suzanna.
Tendai Ryan Nguni, better known by his stage name Tehn Diamond now Tehn is a Zimbabwean hip hop rapper, singer, songwriter, and actor from Harare, Zimbabwe. He is a member of the hip-hop collective Few Kings, with whom he has released one album. On the First of January 2017, Tehn released his debut album titled a few good poems and later that year they released the sequel to The Feeling Aint Fair titled The Feeling Aint Fear or just #TFAF2 with Jnr Brown & Take Fizzo. He stars in the movie Cook Off, Zimbabwe's first feature film to be released via Netflix.
Charles Charamba is a Zimbabwean gospel musician and a former pastor in the Apostolic Faith Mission Church of Zimbabwe (AFM). He has since started his church. Charamba's albums have been the top selling gospel music in Zimbabwe since the early 2000s. He has toured both Great Britain and the United States, and throughout southern Africa. One of Charamba's most famous songs is "Machira Chete". His wife, Olivia, is also a gospel singer, and appears with him on stage and on his albums; they are often called the "First Family of Gospel". According to Chinoitezvi Honour Charles charamba lives in The Surbub of Gunhill in Harare. His children are also talented in music.
Mukudzeyi Mukombe, better known as Jah Prayzah, is a Zimbabwean contemporary musician and lead member of the band Third Generation. He is popularly referred to by fans and media as "Musoja", the Shona word for "soldier", a name he earned mostly because of his signature band uniform of military regalia. The name "Jah Prayzah" comes from his name, "Mukudzeyi", which means "Praise Him".
Diego Tinotenda Chikombeka, professionally known as Diego Tryno is a Zimbabwean urban contemporary and hip-hop musician. He is also known locally by stage names including "Mr. Coffee Please" and "The Future Billionaire".
Mudiwa Hood is a Zimbabwean hip hop/gospel artist and actor.
Rhyme Assassin, born Tichaona Monera, is a London-based Zimbabwean hip-hop artist who rose to prominence in Zimbabwe with his song Party People in 2014.
McDonald Sheldon, known professionally as Qounfuzed is a Zimbabwean singer and songwriter. He rose to prominence in 2011 when he released Chimbovarega single which became a radio hit.
