Online Reporter
Maria Chiguvari
FIVE years after the success of his debut album “Mustard Seed”, Zimdancehall and Afro-fusion star Nutty O is preparing to release his second project, which he describes as “bigger, deeper and more polished”.
He said he has spent years refining his music, driven by the belief that his fans deserve nothing short of quality.
For now, however, the singer is keeping the finer details of the project a closely guarded secret.
“The goal is to give the people good music; that is the only way I can show my utmost gratitude to fans who have stood by me thus far,” Nutty O said.
“The consistency is a result of hard work and an endless pursuit of growth — and that is what Ability Xtention (ABX) is all about.”
Some industry insiders feel that a five-year gap between albums is risky in today’s fast-paced streaming era. However, Nutty O argues that taking his time has always been central to his formula for success.
While “Mustard Seed” (2021) was about planting, growth and establishing his versatile sound, he says the upcoming project reflects “the harvest”, as it is characterised by deeper lyrical introspection and sonic fusions.
This time around, the album launch journey will kick off in the United Kingdom in August — a move motivated by a desire to cement his international presence.
“The goal is to dominate the space. I want the world to recognise this talent rising from Zimbabwe. My music already has fans across borders and deserves a place on the world stage,” he said.
According to the artiste, the UK launch is not just about performing, but about opening doors and proving that a boy from Mbare can stand shoulder to shoulder with global stars.
“My music has an international appeal, so I can comfortably perform anywhere across the world,” added Nutty O.
“Furthermore, UK fans are an important niche that has been overwhelmingly supportive, so I want to honour them by giving them the first privilege of sampling it. I am casting my musical net wider beyond Zimbabwe and Africa, the goal being to conquer all four corners of the world.”
Operating under his own creative movement, ABX, Nutty O has built a career rooted in evolution rather than repetition.
Since entering the music scene in 2013, he has steadily transformed himself into one of Zimbabwe’s most recognisable musical exports, seamlessly blending Afro-dancehall with Afro beats, reggae, pop and trap dancehall.
The willingness to experiment while maintaining his signature vocal identity has allowed him to remain unique.
While fans eagerly await the second album, Nutty O has kept them fed with a steady dose of chart-topping singles and strategic collaborations.
From the explosive success of “Too Much” in 2025 — a track that scooped Song of the Year accolades at both the Star FM Listeners’ Choice Awards and the National Arts Merit Awards (Nama) — to fan favourites like “Normalise”, “Heavy Weight” and “Makanonoka”, the artiste has continuously supplied the streets with anthems.
This followed his 2023 mixtape “Cornerstone”, which helped maintain his powerful momentum.
“My sound is a fusion of different genres and vibes,” Nutty O explained.
“If you look at contemporary music, it revolves around these genres, so the goal is to tap into these sounds and let the evolution of my music orbit around their interplay.
“The album is currently being refined and polished. I do not want to ruin the vibe by pre-empting too much, so in due course, I will share the nitty-gritty. All I can say is that this project is going to set the musical scene ablaze.”
Collaborations have played a vital role in his artistic growth.
Working alongside heavyweights like Winky D, Gemma Griffiths, Kikky Badass and Buffalo Souljah has allowed him to cross-pollinate different creative energies.
Notably, the “Handipere Power” hitmaker featured in the high-profile remake of Bob Marley’s 1979 classic “So Much Trouble in the World” alongside Winky D.
In 2024, he also teamed up with Europe-based Caribbean artiste Triniboi Joocie on the track “Substance”.
“These collaborations promote synergies within the industry — remember, you cannot do it alone,” he noted.
Nutty O’s recent 2026 duet “Pane Acha Chema” with Buffalo Souljah has already become one of the standout songs of the year, while “Wakabaka” (featuring Holy Ten and Nyasha David) further demonstrates his unique ability to blend mainstream commercial appeal with raw lyrical energy.
A track record of excellence
The singer’s journey to the top has been marked by milestone achievements:
2014: Released his breakthrough debut single “Kwandabva Kure”, which aired on BBC 1Xtra, marking his first major international nod.
2015-2016: Joined the Military Touch Movement (MTM) label and dropped “Bugatti”, which peaked at number 5 on Norway’s iTunes Reggae chart.
2017: Scooped the Best Newcomer Award at the Zimdancehall Awards.
2020: Released the infectious dancehall track “Kokai”, featuring Poptain, winning the Song of the Year accolade at the 2021 Star FM Listeners’ Choice Awards and pulling over three million streams.
2021: Released “Mustard Seed”. The breakout motivational anthem “Handipere Power” topped local charts, achieved over five million streams on Spotify and won the Song of the Year accolade at the 2022 Zimbabwe Music Awards (ZIMA).
2022: Dominated the local award circuit, securing seven ZIMA nominations and winning Outstanding Male Musician and Album of the Year accolades at NAMA, triumphing over industry giants.
Despite the awards, international tours and growing fame, the core of Nutty O’s philosophy remains unchanged.
“The consistency is a result of hard work and an endless pursuit of growth,” he said.
