The four-day, non-stop dance party has been banned and unbanned twice in four years.
Music
Arts, Culture and Sport Women behind the decks: The rise of South Africa’s female Amapiano DJs
A new music genre, originating from South Africa called Amapiano meaning ‘the pianos’ in Zulu language has taken the world by storm. Its popularity has also simultaneously witnessed a significant rise of female DJs in South Africa. We take a look at some of the female DJs making history in Amapiano.
Arts, Culture and Sport Lovemore Majaivana’s totem feast – A philosophy (Part 1)
Onai Mushava discusses the metaphysical dimension of Zimbabwean mbaqanga pioneer Lovemore Majaivana’s music in the context of Ndebele orature.
Arts, Culture and Sport Long Read | Musaemura Zimunya and Marshall Munhumumwe: How two cousins artistically defined Zimbabwean independence — Interview
Musaemura Zimunya and Marshall Munhumumwe’s culturally immersive and nationally minded writing and music have a foundational place in the Zimbabwean canon. The cousins not only found success in the early years of independence but also set the tone for others with distinctively Zimbabwean art. Zimunya remembers his great cousin, who died in 2001, in this wide-ranging interview with Onai Mushava.
Arts, Culture and Sport Alick Macheso is the last of the last but he could use more ambition
Leader of the People’s Band, Alick Macheso, is the humble hero of the workingman and the Harare scene’s most obvious father figure after the death of Oliver Mtukudzi. With more aggression than retrospection, he can take Sungura to new frontiers.
Arts, Culture and Sport Beyoncé has helped usher in a renaissance for African artists
With Renaissance, Beyoncé is again shaping pop culture, honouring black disco pioneers and Africa’s rise.
Arts, Culture and Sport Sungura cyberture – Mark Ngwazi on a mission to broaden Zimbabwe’s biggest music genre
Mark Ngwazi inherited a Sungura songbook which depended a little too much on folk wisdom and flat moralising. Humour, wordplay and counterintuitive observation could be Ngwazi’s strongest points but his charisma provides the binding virtue to the songs he is building from memes, jokes and wisecracks. Six albums in, his outdoor church is only growing.
Arts, Culture and Sport ‘Love, Damini,’ Burna Boy’s latest album is the highest charting Nigerian album in history
African Giant Burna Boy is topping international charts with his latest album. The personal letter to his fans inspired by his life, is a fusion of sound, featuring popular musicians. The project has expectedly catapulted him and ‘Afrobeat’ to new heights.
Arts, Culture and Sport Jah Prayzah’s history… As told through the Zimbabwean griot’s best albums
A roaring and smoking mbira song, one for the party animals, a Nollywood pity party to confuse the crush outside your league, and a two-season coup soundtrack – Jah Prayzah created the future by commanding the past. We look back to the career-defining moments of one of Zimbabwe’s greatest artists.