Power FM Zimbabwe

Last updated
Power FM Zimbabwe
Broadcast area Zimbabwe
Frequency FM 99.6MHz in Bulawayo
Programming
Language(s) English
Format Urban contemporary
Ownership
Owner ZBC
Links
Webcast Listen Live
Website www.powerfm.co.zw

Power FM is a Zimbabwean state owned urban music radio station that broadcasts nationwide on FM. It was previously known as Radio 3 and later 3FM.

The station was set up soon after the country got its independence in 1980 to cater for the urban youth. [1] When it launched, it was broadcasting for 19 hours a day. It became a 24 hour station in the late 90s.

The station was renamed to Power FM in 2004, at the time when it was broadcasting 100% Zimbabwean music, a law that was enforced by the former Zimbabwe's Information and Broadcasting minister, Jonathan Moyo. Many Zimbabweans still criticise the former minister for dismantling the station and changing the format and names of all 4 national radio stations and the country's only TV station at the time. The sudden change of policies, which took place in 2002 saw the departure of many of Zimbabwe's finest broadcasting talents in all ZBC's stations.

Some Power FM legends like Kudzi 'Mr Cool' Marudza, Witness 'Chuman' Matema and Kennedy 'Kaycee The Gig Master' Masawi returned to the national broadcaster, but on the sister station Classic 263. Other legends like Kelvin Sifelani, George Munetsi, the late great Peter 'The Radio Driver' Johns and many others never returned. [2]

On May 2, 2020, history was made in Zimbabwe when the 3 national urban radio stations, Star FM, ZiFM Stereo and Power FM multicasted the tribute to the late veteran broadcaster, Peter Johns, The Radio Driver. [3] Power FM was the home of Johns before he relocated to London, UK is 2002.

It broadcasts mainly from the country's capital, Harare as well as the country's second capital, Bulawayo. It is accessible throughout the country on Frequency Modulation, and across the world via online streaming on various platforms. It is notable for pioneering the local music genre known as Urban Grooves, which is the country's local youth orientated pop music.

The station's main target audience is the urban youth, and its music library consists of a mixture of urban Zimbabwean genres and music from across the globe. Most popular music genres found in the station include pop, old school, house, reggae, dancehall and most notably the local Urban Grooves and Zim Dancehall. [4]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Music of Zimbabwe</span>

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Capital London</span> Radio station in London, England

Capital London is an Independent Local Radio station owned and operated by Global Media & Entertainment as part of its national Capital Network.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WBZY</span> Radio station in Canton–Atlanta, Georgia

WBZY – branded Z105.7 – is a commercial radio station licensed to Canton, Georgia, broadcasting a Spanish CHR format. Owned by iHeartMedia, WBZY serves the Atlanta metropolitan area. The WBZY studios are located in Atlanta, while the station transmitter resides in the nearby suburb of Marietta. Besides a standard analog transmission, WBZY broadcasts over two HD Radio channels, and is available online via iHeartRadio. WBZY formerly repeated over the 32.25 digital subchannel of Atlanta television station WANN-CD and previously did so on a number of occasions with sister station WBZW, the most recent lasting until November 5, 2021.

Pirate radio in the United Kingdom has been a popular and enduring radio medium since the 1960s, despite expansions in licensed broadcasting, and the advent of both digital radio and internet radio. Although it peaked throughout the 1960s and again during the 1980s/1990s, it remains in existence today. Having moved from transmitting from ships in the sea to tower blocks across UK towns and cities, in 2009 the UK broadcasting regulator Ofcom estimated more than 150 pirate radio stations were still operating.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation</span> State-controlled broadcaster in Zimbabwe

The Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) is the state-owned broadcaster in Zimbabwe. It was established as the Rhodesian Broadcasting Corporation (RBC), taking its current name in 1980. Like the RBC before it, the ZBC has been accused of being a government mouthpiece with no editorial independence.

A radio format or programming format describes the overall content broadcast on a radio station. The radio format emerged mainly in the United States in the 1950s, at a time when radio was compelled to develop new and exclusive ways to programming by competition with television. The formula has since spread as a reference for commercial radio programming worldwide.

Zimbabwean hip hop is a variety of hip hop music that is popular in Zimbabwe. It emerged in the early 1990s. Prominent artists include Young Gemini,Noluntu J, Voltz JT ,Br3eze, Ti Gonzi, Junior Brown, Calvin, Saintfloew, Holy Ten, Trey Heart, Asaph, Kriss Newtone, Suhn, Denim Woods, Hanna, Tanto Wavie, Tehn Diamond, Synik, Maskiri, T3rry Tempo, TreyXL, Munetsi, Bling4, Tha Bees, Bagga We Ragga, Yadish Da Chronic, Raykaz, Dough Major, Dingo Duke and Dilly1Buck.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WXB 102</span> Internet radio station

WXB 102 is a former Metro Manila FM radio station and current Internet radio station that plays new wave, punk rock, gothic rock, synthpop, electronic music, dance-punk, post-punk, classic alternative rock and more from the UK, US, Philippines and the rest of the world.

Radio enjoys a huge following in the United Kingdom. There are around 600 licensed radio stations in the country. For a more comprehensive list see List of radio stations in the United Kingdom.

WULM is a non-commercial radio station licensed to Springfield, Ohio, United States, and features a Catholic-oriented Christian format as a full-time owned-and-operated outlet of the "Radio Maria" network.

Filipino reggae or Pinoy reggae is reggae music created in the Philippines. The country has several bands and sound systems that play reggae and dancehall music in a style faithful to its expression in Jamaica. Reggae in the Philippines comprises the many forms of reggae and its subgenres, and at times combining traditional Filipino forms of music and instruments in their music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Absolute Radio Network</span> British digital radio network

The Absolute Radio Network is a network of ten radio stations owned and operated by Bauer Radio. Bauer purchased the TIML Radio Limited network of stations in 2013. Most of the Absolute Radio stations are decade-themed services, alongside the flagship station and classic rock and country-formatted stations. The network is aimed at 35 to 54 year olds.

Kenyan reggae is mainly a fusion of Jamaican reggae and local ethnic singing styles that incorporate benga and Kenyan hip hop.

Zimdancehall is a subgenre of reggae and dancehall music from Zimbabwe. The traditional way of message delivery is through chanting. Zimdancehall became more popular after the fall of the Urban Grooves genre. Popular pioneers of Zimdancehall include Winky D, Decibel, Sniper Storm, Bootkin Clan, Daddie Distress, Ras Tavonga, Freeman HKD, and Lewaz Skattah.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trace Africa</span> South African Afro-pop music channel

Trace Africa is an Afro-pop music channel dedicated to airing Africa's top music artists. Trace Africa, Africa’s number one music channel, is dedicated to playing and showcasing music of Africa’s top artists and genres including Afro-pop, coupé-décalé, Kwaito house, Afro-trap, makossa, and ndombolo through radio and live concert events. Trace Africa is a smaller section of the larger Trace brand, a company dedicated to spreading music, news and culture throughout the African Diaspora. Trace Africa premiered on DStv, on 1 September 2016 as a replacement to Trace Sports Stars through the continent and as of 2017 is also now on StarSat

ZiFM Stereo is a Zimbabwean private commercial radio station that is based in the country's capital, Harare. It broadcasts throughout the country on FM.

Star FM is a commercial urban radio station that broadcasts throughout Zimbabwe from the country's capital, Harare.

Freeman HKD Boss, born Emegy Slyvester Chizanga, is a Zimdancehall artist who rose to prominence after release of Joina City single.

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.

References

  1. ↑ "Hopewell Chin'ono: Tribute to Zimbabwe radio legend Peter Johns". Nehanda Radio. April 29, 2020.
  2. ↑ "Go well Radio Driver, Peter Johns". Nehanda Radio. April 29, 2020.
  3. ↑ "Radio stations unite for Peter Johns tribute". The Herald . May 1, 2020.
  4. ↑ "Is urban grooves a genre or culture?". NewsDay . June 5, 2019.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.