Nadia Nakai, Master H, Tamy Moyo to headline 14th Shoko Festival

One of Zimbabwe’s longest-running urban culture festivals, Shoko Festival, has unveiled Nadia Nakai, Master H, and Tamy Moyo as part of the headline acts for its 14th edition.

The festival will be held from the 26th to the 28th of September in Harare and Chitungwiza. This year’s festival theme, #BothSidesOfSamora, shines a light on the road that has historically separated different social classes.

Shoko Festival coordinator, Vera Chisvo, said this year’s all-star line-up seeks to celebrate diversity.

“Festival-goers are in for a treat with South African-based award-winning hip-hop queen Nadia Nakai set to grace the Shoko Festival stage, promising an exciting homecoming performance. Nadia Nakai has grown to be a household name in South Africa’s hip-hop scene. Music fans can also look forward to electrifying performances from Zimdancehall’s newest star, Master H, who is currently topping music charts and trending online with his anthems like ‘Dhanzi’ and many more sing-along songs.

“Afro Pop Fusion sensation Tamy Moyo is set to dazzle festival-goers with her strong catalogue of hit songs, including her latest single titled ‘Kelly Kelvedhura’ which features Master H and is nearing a million views online in just three months. Her performance at Shoko Festival marks her second appearance, having performed at the Shoko 2016 edition alongside music giants like Jah Prayzah, AKA, Winky D, and Amara Brown,” said Chisvo.

Chisvo said Shoko 2024 will continue to happen on both sides of Samora, building a unique platform that showcases the bubbling urban culture from uptown to downtown, and from the suburbs to the hood.

“The theme #BothSidesOfSamora pays homage to the young cultural pioneers shaping Zimbabwe’s future and turning dreams into reality through their daily acts of creative resistance. This year we are so amped to celebrate the diverse backgrounds of young people who are joined together through the love of music and performing arts. Our star-studded line-up is a true reflection of that, and we’ll be announcing more acts in due course.

“The festival promises to bring together a diverse array of hip hop, dancehall, stand-up comedy, and spoken word through its various events over three days, including Mashup Night and Shoko Comedy Night, both in Harare, and the main event, the Peace in the Hood Concert in Chitungwiza.

“Shoko also offers an inspiring programme of talks and boot camps on digital media, tech, and the creative economy at its Hub Unconference event, which will happen in the lead-up to Shoko on the 24th to the 25th of September at Moto Republik.”

Over the years, Shoko Festival has hosted a powerful line-up of African urban culture pioneers like Cassper Nyovest, HHP, AKA, Tehn Diamond, Tumi Morake, Kikky Badass, and Winky D. It is a celebration of free expression, cutting-edge urban art, and alternative youth culture. It is a project of Magamba Network.

– @mthabisi_mthire