Online Reporter
Bruce Ndlovu, [email protected]
WHEN Sylent Nqo takes to the stage in Bulawayo on 8 March, the second stop on his national tour, many of his fans will see it as a coming-of-age moment.
Over the past few years, the man affectionately known as the Guitar Sangoma has quietly built a reputation as one of Zimbabwe’s most vibrant musicians.
Together with his band, The Noise Makers, he has emerged as that rare breed of young artiste who keeps the pulse of modern sound alive without forsaking the roots and traditions of Zimbabwean rhythms.
His ascent was underlined recently when his song Huya reached 10 million streams — a feat few local artistes can boast of.
A national tour might seem ambitious from the outside, but given the momentum he has gathered, it feels less like a gamble and more like perfect timing. The tour is not just a showcase of his celebrated guitar fluency; it is also a statement on how much his sound has matured over the past decade.
So, when he steps onto the stage at Chill & Gin, set for Cotton as part of a tour that began in Harare last week, Bulawayo will once again experience the sounds of a musician poised on the brink of superstardom.
“I have been building a fan base, releasing music, and the energy’s been crazy everywhere I go,” he told Sunday Life in an interview.
“I want to feel that live connection with people, especially in Zimbabwe, because it’s my home. It is not just about the music; it is about the experience, the community and the healing. If not now, then when?”
For Sylent Nqo, the national tour — particularly the Bulawayo stop — is an opportunity to rekindle camaraderie with fans who have supported him as he painstakingly built his career brick by brick.
Life on the road, he said, has revealed as much about himself as it has about his audience.
“It has been an absolute eye-opener. I have learnt that my fans are passionate, loyal and hungry for live music. They come out, sing along, and vibe with my music. It is an undeniable connection.
“As for myself, I have discovered I thrive under pressure, and there is no better fuel than a crowd full of people who are aligned with you. It is like we are one big family, and I am just the one with the guitar and the mic.
“I have also realised how music can bridge gaps and bring different people together. I am grateful to my band, The Noise Makers, who make our sound even bigger,” he said.
For many Zimbabweans, their first encounter with Sylent Nqo was as a masterful guitarist — a rare virtuoso in a country where many musicians have tested themselves on the instrument.
Yet, as he has blossomed into a fully-fledged solo artiste, he has revisited other instruments from his childhood, expanding his sonic palette and deepening his artistry.
“I had different first loves before the guitar. I started on marimba, mbira and percussion, but the guitar felt like home. That is where I go when I want to get raw and real. Now, though, I experiment with layers and sounds, stepping outside my comfort zone. I even coached myself to sing and now singing is part of how I express myself.
“The bottom line is; I do not think anyone should be boxed in. I went from being a kid who played marimba in high school to a storyteller, songwriter, composer and healer — the Guitar Sangoma,” he said.
In an era where some artistes chase fleeting trends and tailor their sound for viral, TikTok-ready snippets, Sylent Nqo has chosen the slower, more deliberate path of craft and authenticity.
Yet, despite this — or perhaps because of it — he remains remarkably in tune with the social media generation.
“Maybe it resonates because people hear themselves in the lyrics, rhythms, and energy,” he reflected.
“Zimbabweans are hungry for music that speaks to our struggles, joys and culture. Alternative does not mean disconnected; it is just a different way of expressing the same things that matter — God, family, love, hope and faith.
“At the core, my music is authentically African. I am not trying to fit into a box or genre. I am just telling my stories — our stories — in a way that feels honest.”
For the Chill & Gin showcase, organised by Matobo African Gin, Sylent Nqo will be backed by South African musician Phila Dlozi, with whom he has been collaborating.
One of his key requests for the Bulawayo show was the inclusion of local supporting acts — a reflection of his own early struggles in search of opportunity.
“I believe in lifting others as I climb. There’s space for everyone. Zimbabwe’s got insane talent and I want to share my platform. Supporting local artistes is not charity — it is about building a movement and a functional industry.
“When I was starting out, there were not many opportunities, so I had to create my own. Now, I want to share the little space I have and shine the light on other artistes. Most importantly, it is about keeping the vibe local and authentic. Why listen to one person in a country full of geniuses?” he said.
Dr Langalakhe Moyo of Matobo African Gin said the partnership was a natural fit.
“Chill & Gin has always been a marketing tool for Matobo African Gin and it also leads up to the Matobo Gin Festival. This is our fourth edition and partnering with Sylent Nqo during his national tour gives us something unique.
“He is coming with Phila Dlozi, so people will get to hear some of the music they have been working on. We were also encouraged that he requested local artistes to support him. Their upliftment is something we care about as well,” he said.
