Langalihle Mhiti

ZIMBABWE’S urban music scene is set for a major celebration as the Changamire Festival Awards 2026 gears up for its 11th annual ceremony.

Founder and director, Tafadzwa E Muchechetere, said the awards have remained true to their founding vision of promoting Zimbabwean hip-hop and the broader urban culture ecosystem.

Unlike other awards, which largely recognise recorded music, the Changamire Festival Awards place emphasis on performance-based excellence.

“We look at performing artists. Throughout the year, there are festivals and concerts, so we analyse event flyers and identify names that consistently appear,” Muchechetere said.

“That’s how we determine nominees, artists who are actively engaging audiences on stage.”

This year’s nominations reflect a competitive and vibrant hip-hop landscape, with leading names such as Runna Rulez, Bling 4, and Saint Floew dominating multiple categories.

Runna Rulez leads the pack with 10 nominations, followed by Bling 4 with nine and Saint Floew with eight.

Categories span across the full spectrum of urban culture, from Best Male and Best Female to technical and creative fields such as Best Producer, Best Hip Hop Lyricist and Best Fashion Brand.

The awards also recognise emerging talent through the Best Newcomer category, highlighting the industry’s continued growth.

Among the standout categories is Hip Hop Song of the Year, which features hits such as PaHarare by Bling 4, Wicked Weekend by Saint Floew and Crisis by Voltz JT, reflecting the diversity and evolving sound of Zimbabwean hip-hop.

Businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei will receive the Community Champion Honorary Award in recognition of his support for artists and youth empowerment initiatives.

Other honorary recipients include socialite and entrepreneur Pokello Nare, whose brand influence earns her the Cultural Impact Product Award, while Tate Da MC will be celebrated with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his role in commercialising Zimbabwean hip-hop.

“We are seeing more people investing in artists providing resources like funding, equipment and even life-changing support such as housing and vehicles,” he said.

“That level of backing is helping artists focus on their craft and grow.” He also acknowledged the rise of artificial intelligence in music production, describing it as a tool rather than a threat.

“AI is coming in, and while some fear it may disrupt jobs, I believe it can work hand-in-hand with artists and producers to enhance creativity and improve sound quality,” he said.