SONGS OF THE YEAR

Langalihle Mhiti

AS the first half of the year comes to an end, music lovers are reflecting on the songs that have dominated conversations, play lists and trends across Zimbabwe. While dozens of tracks have been released this year, only a few have managed to leave a lasting impact on listeners.

Music critic, Bryan Zhawi, recently shared his thoughts on the songs which have stood out the most, highlighting songs that have shaped the country’s musical landscape over the past six months.

Leading the discussion is Nyasha David’s hit single ‘Tsvodi’, a song credited with setting the tone for the love season.

Since its release, the track has maintained its popularity and continues to be one of the most talked-about songs in the country.

“Tsvodi remarkably kick-started the love season and since its release it has remained one of the most talked about songs,” Zhawi said.

Another release earning praise is ‘Wakabaka’, the collaboration between Nutty O, Nyasha David and Holy Ten.

Bringing together three of Zimbabwe’s biggest music stars, the song quickly captured public attention and became one of the year’s most successful collaborations.

“Adding to that wave of successful releases, ‘Wakabaka’ has also made a strong impact.

“Bringing together three of Zimbabwe’s most influential voices, the collaboration quickly captured the attention of listeners and further cemented their status as hitmakers,” Zhawi said.

The dance scene has also enjoyed a strong year thanks to ‘Bhura Dhanzi’ by Hulegengde and Madedido.

The song has become a favourite at parties and entertainment venues, helping the duo maintain their momentum in the industry.

Zhawi also singled out ‘Chingonzwisisa Babe’ by Hulegengende, saying the song received the attention it deserved despite generating controversy.

“Despite the drama, it’s a movement you need to understand the wave.

“’Chingonzwisisa Babe’ received the attention it deserves,” he said.

Among the year’s major successes is ‘Pane Achachema’, the collaboration between Nutty O and Buffalo Souljah.

Zhawi described the song as an undeniable hit and praised the artists for continuing to deliver successful music.

“Pane Achachema is undoubtedly a hit. The duo has come from afar in the industry,” he said.

The conversation around music trends has also been influenced by the rise of artificial intelligence in music production.

Zhawi pointed to ‘Kure Kure’, an AI-prompted military-themed song by Magic Wacho, as an example of how technology is beginning to reshape the creative process.

“What Magic Wacho did in ‘Kure Kure’ could actually match the greatness of Ghost Magician,” he said.

Elsewhere, Sane.wav has continued to gain recognition through his breakthrough hit ‘Mazvokuda’, while Atenda Chinx’s ‘Makoti’ has become a favourite among couples and wedding planners.

In the gospel category, ‘Zvichaita Chete’ by Unveiled.zw has enjoyed strong support from listeners, with its inspirational message helping it perform well across streaming platforms.

However, Zhawi believes the biggest gospel song at the moment is ‘Ndakainamatira Nyaya’, an AI-generated track that has sparked conversation across the industry.

“Whether the industry fully embraces this new technology or not, ‘Ndakainamatira Nyaya’ is undoubtedly the song of the moment and a perfect example of what a hit record sounds like,” he said.

With several months still remaining in the year, debate continues over which song will ultimately be remembered as Zimbabwe’s defining hit of 2026.