Online Reporter
Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
Aspiring DJs from across Zimbabwe are being invited to showcase their skills at the Carling Black Label (CBL) DJ Clash. Registrations are now open, with the first round of regional qualifiers scheduled for Masvingo at San Siro on Saturday. Dates and venues for other provinces are yet to be announced.
The DJ Clash, which debuted in 2023, has become one of Zimbabwe’s premier platforms for discovering new DJ talent. The inaugural competition attracted over 250 DJs from across the country, culminating in DJ Irvinex from Manicaland taking home the title at the Bulawayo finals, which featured electrifying performances by South African Amapiano stars Toss and Tyler ICU.
Last year, the title was claimed by Harare-based Joseph Ngonidzaishe Isaac, popularly known as DJ Joe, at finals held in Harare.
Winners of the national competition walk away with substantial prizes designed to support their craft, including US$3 000, a controller, an Apple MacBook, studio monitors, and a cordless microphone, while runners-up take home US$2 000, a studio monitor, and a cordless microphone.
Aspiring participants are required to submit a 90-second mixtape showcasing their skills via the competition’s WhatsApp number, which is available on the CBL Facebook page. Selected entrants will receive a US$100 participation fee before competing in their respective provincial rounds.
Organisers have emphasised that the competition seeks only the best in creativity and technical skill, saying they are looking for “sharp scratches, fresh transitions, and deep grooves.”
The judging panel for the 2025 edition is set to feature some of the country’s most renowned DJs, including Naida, Nospa, Tamuka, L-Roy, and Storm, ensuring that participants are evaluated by industry professionals.
