Proud Zimbo's Top 5 Zimbabwean Albums of 2025

This has been another impressive year on the music scene, local artists have been racking up huge views on streaming sites, arguably the best year when it comes to streams, views and like to date for local artists. On the singles side it had been a huge year but when it comes to albums its a different story, many artists fear making albums and prefer to stick to singles. I partly can understand them as making an album requires an artist to dig deep, an album is when an artist invites listeners into their world, take them on a tour how they see the world, how they interpret certain things, or address certain issues...etc. 

Making an album is not necessarily about making hits, an album can be coveted and successful without any runaway hit track, its the journey which the album takes you on that pushes it to success. The journey takes precedence, that is why you hear artists say I did not think this song was gonna be this big, sometimes it may even be that track they wanted to leave out of the album. In this current world where most artists feel they have to release a consistent thread of hit songs to remain relevent, few take the route of making an album. However what they lose out on is the connection album create between the listeners and the artist/band. When you enjoy a certain album you will feel as if you personally know and artist because you will have experienced a piece of them. That does not happen with singles, fans move from one hit to the next, little connection is made. 

Over the year have managed to review a couple of projects and have listened to a couple other that I did not get to do reviews of and as we conclude the year will be sharing the 5 I found the most impressive of 2025. Without delaying much, lets get into the 5:

5. Dzimwe Nguva - Kurai Makore & The Black Lions

Kurai has shown some serious maturity over the past few years, after few years of doing his thing under the radar this year he could not hide and had to prove he is capable of carrying the torch from Dr Thomas Mapfumo. The legend officially retired and blessed Kurai to take over and keep the torch of Chimurenga alive. That's such a big responsibility and as you would expect a lot of exposure and scrutiny was put upon Kurai. Despite the pressure he has so far manage to give Chimurenga fans hope, this album Dzimwe Nguva is a well made project, it proves he is capable of delivering solid Chimurenga jams and also is not afraid to innovate and improve the sound. Was one of those who looked at him with a pinch of salt but after listening to the project, I was truly impressed and my fears eased away. He has also assembled a solid band, the members of his Black Lions band are top quality and that has ensured is live shows are always top notch.

4. Tsapo - Sulumani Chimbetu & Orchestra Dendera Kings

This is probably the most overlooked album of the year, its did not get talked about that much but have been one of my favorite projects of the year. Every time I come back to this project I am impressed and an reminded of how good Sulu. This project has shows a level of maturity that many were expecting from Sulu for years, hope he dials down the drama and continues on this steak. As you listen to this album, you get reminded of why Dendera is so highly regarded in Zimbabwe, listen to the track Timba and you will get what I am saying. Definitely among the best albums of 2025. 

3. The Notebook - Freeman

The HKD boss is undoubtedly the most consistent artist we have in Zimbabwe. Freeman has over the past 10 years released a respectable project each year, the albums may not necessarily be undisputed top pick but he is nearly always in the top 5, he is always part of the conversation. This year was no different, The Notebook is another solid offering from the Freeman. He now knows how to make use of his strengths and you feel it as you listen to this project, he is comfortable in his style. There is no bad song on this project, the tracks are easy to follow and sing along to. The collaborations are spot on, the instrumentals are solid, its just a good project to listen to. 

2. Yadeuka Yadeuka - Simon Mutambi & Cobra Kings

Simon Mutambi has been one of the most impressive artists in the Sungura genre for the better part of a decade now but recently you can feel he has entered a new level. This album was a well made project, balanced and the guitar work throughout this project is sublime. The major weakness that Mutambi had for years was the way his vocals were recorded but he has however worked on that and you can now hear his vocals clearly. This album has been a favorite of many and has singlehandedly ensured Sungura remains in the conversation this year. This project has given me so much joy over the year, cannot skip any track on the album. Wenyasha featuring Madzibaba Nicholas Zakaria is such a beautiful beautiful jam, the guitarwork on that album is insane. If it were not for the album in top position this would have been the outright best, its leagues above all those below it. 

1. Ndini Mukudzeyi - Jah Prayzah & 3G Band

Ndini Mukudzeyi comes as no surprise, it has dominated the playlists across all demographics and classes. Did a review of this project when it dropped and I was thoroughly impressed, its JP's best offering to date and over the past months it continuously impressed, it's aged very well and its dominance increased with each day that passed. Its been years since Zimbabwe has experiecned an album that has this momentum, depth and weight. This year I have seen die hard naysayers believing, have seen people who swore to never listen to JP just get carried away with this project. This album earned JP a seat at the table of the greats, Ndini Mukudzeyi doesn't feel out of place when you mention it alongside top projects from giants like Dr Thomas Mapfumo, Leonard Dembo, Oliver Mtukudzi...etc, its a worthy project. Undoubtedly the best project of 2025 and probably also for the past decade. 

So those are Proud Zimbo's top 5 albums of 2025, those are the albums I feel showcased the best Zimbabwe has had to offer for the year. Jah Prayzah dominated the airwaves this year, this album is a master piece, that one projects that shuts everyone up.

I know many of you will have a thing or two to say about this list, I am waiting to hear your views and also share your top 5 local projects of 2025 in the comments section below or on social media platforms.

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