Zim Artists to Watch In 2016

A new year is upon us and with it comes a lot of expectations. From a musical perspective the following are the artists l believe Zimbos should keep an eye on. There are many artists on the local scene and choosing the ones to look out for is quite hard but tried my best, don't be offended if l left out some artists you may think deserve some mention. So less chatter and lets get down to the serious stuff:

Tehn Diamond 

Mr Tehn has been teasing us for some time now and l personally think 2016 will be the year The Perfect Tehn finally drops. The local Hip Hop landscape is like a yo-yo, one year it seems as if it's improving then the next its on the downfall, if it was not for Cal_Vin hip hop would have died in 2015. Tehn's album is much needed now more than ever as local hip hop is now hanging by Cal_Vin. Also Tehn is living on the reputation of his SOTG mix-tapes, he need to show us he still got it or else he will become the guy that was great. Bho Tsano was a great way to start the year, it was not jaw dropping but it a sign that there is something brewing. Begotten Sun stated on his FB page that the Perfect Tehn is done and we should brace ourselves...we waiting.

Nutty O

Nutty O di Bwoy Africa's Finest announced his arrival in 2015, as his label Kenako took center stage so did he. His songs are mostly in English mixed with a few Shona words and we all know that singing dancehall in English is a big risk in Zim as most of the ghetto youths prefer the local language. It took some time for Nutty O to get airplay and attention but towards the end of the year many Zimbos started taking interest in him and his stake started to rise. It rose significantly to the extend that quite a number of dancehall fans included Nutty O on their top 5 artists of 2015 lists. The lad is ridiculously talented though, reviewed a couple of his tracks and they were just on point. However he is still seeking his big crossover hit, listening to his tracks one can feel that the hit is nearby. This will be a defining year for Nutty O, he is following up on a great debut year whilst also searching for that crossover hit, l believe when he gets the formula correct the song will not only be big in Zim but it will make waves continental given he does not change his style.

Ammara Brown

Ammara has it all, the looks, the dances, the voice, the appeal...she is one of the few Zim artists who have that celeb aura around her. Despite having the voice she is yet to give us that defining album, that will take her from being the "sexiest Zim artist" to an all round modern icon. (Kind of like a Zim version of Madonna). She released her first track of 2016 Mukoko on which she collaborated with Tytan and yep, the track is amazing. I have a feeling that she is brewing something for us this year, and judging by Mukoko we should definitely brace ourselves.

Cal_Vin

Following up a such a fantastic year is usually a daunting task in which many failed. Cal_Vin has the hardest of all follow ups, he single handedly kept Zim Hip hop alive in 2015. He was appropriately rewarded for his efforts by winning 3 top awards at the Zim Hip Hop Awards 2015. Any award ceremony for 2015 which has a hip hop /music category you are surely guaranteed to find Cal_Vin's name on it. That shows how hard the lad worked. Also take in mind that he achieved all that from koBulawayo and not the capital Harare. #Respect. Some said he was successful because he had no competition, which is not entirely false. This year The Perfect Tehn is dropping, Karizma's NGNGv3 is dropping, Synik may also drop something, Cal_Vin himself is also dropping Bars Of Gold in July. This year we will see how he stakes up when all the other big guys are in the race, if he ends the year whilst still on top, he will definitely be an local Hip Hop icon and a Bulawayo Legend.

Hope Masike

Hope is ridiculously talented, like rilly extremely talented. She is adored by her fans like no other. With the passing of Sister Chi, Hope has inherited the mantle of Mbira Queen or Mbira Princess as her fans affectionately coin her. Such a title has expectations, the first Mbira Queen was the Legendary Mbuya Stella Chiweshe who is celebrated internationally for her mbira prowess. The baton stick was then given to the late Iconic Chiwoniso "Sister Chi" Maraire, who also attained international acclaim for her mbira skills and gave us one timeless album. Now Hope Masike holds the baton stick and despite already receiving some international recognition she still has to win the hearts of many local Zimbabweans!!....not that they don't like her, they just don't know about her. 2016 year started perfectly for her as she received a Kora Award nomination. That's Huge. Personally l do not doubt Hope's talent, she definitely will be an iconic Mbira Queen, what am curious about is how she is going to announce herself to the majority of Zimbos, will she give us an album greater than Chiwoniso's Ancient Voices...noone knows, time will tell!!! hopefully at the end of the year we will have a response on that.

Bryan Kadengu

This one is a case of defying odds. I have came across a number of complains about the deterioration of local talent search shows, the major argument being that they competitions no longer produce stars, the winners eventually fade away into obscurity. Bryan Kadengu is one such winner and he is working hard to change that notion. Last year he announced his arrival onto the music scene with his album Nyaya Dzerudo, which is proving hard to find (if you reading this Brian, link up with me l need a copy). Heard the tracks on radio and ohh my ohh my..wow. amazing work. Bryan is fortunate to be groomed by the best artists in Zimbabwe, he is performing alongside guys like Victor Kunonga, Oliver Mtukudzi, Mokoomba...etc. This year is the year he proves to us that he is not a fluke and is here to stay, the afrojazz genre is already filled with many icons and greats so if he is to find himself a place he has to wow us....and we are waiting to be wowed.

Alexio Kawara
He has already solidified himself as one of the finest jazz artists in the country, he has won over the hearts of many of Zimbos. Frankly it won't affect him much if he does not drop anything this year, but it's been long since Tose (2011). Something new is now required and he has been dropping hints of a new project in the works. Tose is a brilliant album, 5 yrs later on it still sounds fresh and amazing. Another brilliant album will elevate him to iconic status, and a step closer to being a Jazz legend. Alexio is a great performer, great lyricist, great vocalist, is less controversial....the recipe for him to be a legend already present, now only the product is needed and hopefully it drops this year.

Prayersoul
Classy, Elegant, Talented, an Exquisite performer..he has it all. Despite singing a niche genre neo-soul, Prayersoul has managed to win the hearts of a section of Zimbos. He released his self entitled debut album Prayersoul in 2013 and the album slowly penetrated the radio waves and the hearts of many people, both local and international. Good music always finds a way to the top. The album still sound fresh and lovely, personally it took me time to realize that he was Zimbabwean, thought he was some foreign dude. He is just that good. He was also dropping hints of a new project in the works and it's most probably gonna drop this year...hopefully...fingers crossed.

Brythreesixty 
Started the year by winning Best Collaboration in Nigeria for his track with Lil Dizzie. Congrats and Zim is proud. Towards end of last year Bry stated that he is no longer a Christian Hip Hop artists but just a Hip Hop artist. Such a statement and move raised eyebrows and 2016 will be a defining year for the rapper. Will Bry have success as a secular rapper??? Can he match up the level of the big rappers, Gze, Cal_Vin, Tehn Diamond, Karizma, Stunner, Maskiri??? Time will tell.

Janet Manyowa
Ya l know it's selfish to even include her on this list, but l can't help it. Her debut 2015 album King Of Glory has been such a blessing to my life and many other Zimbos. Its arguably the best Gospel album of 2015, judging by the response from fans, it's dominance on the gospel charts and it has the most nominations of any album for 2015, (more than Jah Prayzah's Jerusalema or Killer T's Ngoma Ndaimba). It's selfish to expect another album so soon but well everyone is allowed to hope and dream. She is closely following in the shoes of the legendary Mai Suluma so ya  any new project  will be received with open hands. Most gospel tracks these days are about, prosperity, success, some tracks just make people dance with no actual  Godly message... so its refreshing and strengthening to hear an album which encourages/provokes people to worship and be grateful. If she releases another project this year, just as brilliant she will definitely be a gospel icon.

Notable Mentions :

• Prudence Katomeni Mbofana : She is immensely talented but rarely releases anything new. However that may all change this year as she hinted that she will be dropping an album later this year. We keep our fingers crossed.

• Dobba Don : Made his mark last year with possibly the dancehall song of the year; Mudendere. The big question now is will he be able to build on the success of Mudendere?? Will he be able to reach that level again?? He is in for a defining year.

• T-Gonz : Like Dobba Don he made a massive track in 2015; Zvenyu. The remix which went on to win best remix of the year at the Zim Hip Hop Awards. Will he be able to build on the success of Zvenyu??? Will he be able to  create another track at the same level as Zvenyu???

If you felt l have left other artists whom we should also keep an eye on, feel free to comment with the name.

Proud_Zimbo