Top 10 Live Performers In Zimbabwe

Delivering a memorable live performance is an art only a few artists have managed to master. Giving people a lifelong memory when onnstage ensures your legacy will live for long, even after you have passed on. There is a certain level of awareness that one needs to tap into to deliver such a memorable performance, the mood, the vibe and the many hours of practice all perfectly meet. 

Have been fortunate enough to have witnessed many artists performing live, from greats such as Dr Thomas Mapfumo, Dr Oliver Mtukudzi, Baba Charamba, Alick Macheso, Amai Shingisai Suluma to the younger icons such as Jah Prayzah, Winky D, Freeman, ExQ, Janet Manyowa, Minister Mahendere, Seh Calaz, Soul Jah Love to even the current crop of young artists and today will be sharing with you the best ten artists that I have witnessed. These are the artists that I know will deliver a show that is worth your money and sometimes they will give you a show you will never forget. 

Personally the best show I have ever attended was the Big Bira by Dr Thomas Mapfumo, Mukanya to me is the GOAT, the best artist in the history of Zim Music and it was on my bucket list to watch him at least once. So went to the big bira with high expectations and he delivered more than I expected. The show was well tuned, the sound engineer did an amazing job, the Black's Unlimited band is one super outfit, I enjoyed myself. 

So on this list will only be sharing with you the best ten artists whom I have watched perform live, its a personal list so feel very free to disagree. Will only be sharing artist who are still alive as of today and those who are based in Zimbabwe, artists whom you can go and watch live this weekend or next weekend. So artists like Dr Mukanya, Mai Shingisai Suluma, Lovemore Majaivana will not be included. 

10. Seh Calaz

Has been the second best performer in dancehall after Winky D for years. Calaz hate him or love him is an icon and was a major player in making Dancehall the force it became. He also knows how to move the crowds and he has filling up the Mbare Netball Complex and City Sports center consistently, a testament of his expertise on stage. His shows are value for money and on some days he can get you into a serious frenzy. I believe for Calaz to take his performances to the next stage at the moment he needs to employ a live band, given he has successfully switched to reggae, a live band will take him to the next stage. 

9. Jah Prayzah  

Undoubtedly the most popular artist in Zimbabwe, has been for over 5 years now. Album wise he is unrivalled in Zimbabwe at the moment, JP now knows how to make beautiful & lasting music. On stage he is also a force to reckon with, delivering shows that are worth your buck and on his day can surpass every other artist. I however believe JP can become much better Live than he is now, I love that he no longer speeds up tracks as he used to do, now his band is more composed and with more practice will become a well oiled machine. Given the type of instrument he prefer ls he should get some tips from Dr Mukanya as they have a somewhat similar stage setup. 

8. Minister Michael Mahendere 

The Minister is an icon who is very much loved, and for good reason. He is an energetic and stylish performer, I love seeing him on stage he manages to blend modern vibes with gospel in a classy way. Be prepared to dance and sing along in praise and worship with the Minister. He will leave you feeling blessed and motivated. 

7. Mbeu & The Mhodzi Tribe 

Mbeu definitely took notes when he was being groomed by the late Dr Mtukudzi and Jah Prayzah. His stage work is very impressive, he has the right energy and his band is very good despite the few years they have been working together, they are putting in the hours of practice. Mbeu and his band are definitely moving in the right direction and as the discography grows the band will absolutely improve, in a few years he will be higher up the list. 

6. Janet Manyowa

Janet has less than 10 years in the music industry but the impact she has had over those years deserves respect. She has basically changed the course of the entire gospel genre, she has raised the bar in terms of concerts and continues to set the standard. Whenever she announce a show know it will be worth it, she always looks to improve, continual improvement is her special power. Janet is a powerful and fierce performer, she knows how to move the crowd, her performamces are always engaging as she switches expertly between  praise and worship, definitely value for your money. 

5. Alick Macheso

Ba Sharo is a legend who has been filling up shows for over 20 years. He has rewrote the Sungura handbook and in the 2000's he was the definition of a night out, in terms of performances then it was either him or Dhewa on the top spot. Currently despite Baba Sharo being a top act, he is no longer at his previous level, yes he is still a great entertainer but the level has lowered a bit hence the number 5 spot. 

4. Progress Chipfumo 

Proggie is very very very underrated, your head will explode whilst trying to figure out why he gets overlooked this much. For starters Proggie is among the best lead guitarists we have in Zim, it has been so since the 2000's. Secondly he has amazing vocals. Thirdly the themes he sings about are on point.  Lastly on stage he is one hell of a performer, you can go to a Progress Chipfumo show without knowing any song of his and have an amazing time, you will dance your socks off. His band is solid, well oiled and that smile he is always wearing on his face as he does wonders with the guitar will be forever etched in your memory. His shows are worth it. 

3. Winky D

At the current moment there is no artist who can make the crowd jump and sing along as much as the Gaffa. Winky D knows how to make you sweat when he is on stage, attend his show and be prepared to return with a hoarse voice because you will be singing along very loudly. Have been to countless Winky D shows, the most compared to anyone on this list and he keeps on improving. He first announced himself as a master performer at the Beenie Man show (search for Winky Live at Beenie Man show and witness how wild the crowd went when he entered) and since then he has been killing shows. Once you attend his show you will understand why Winky is usually the last act on a show, performing after him is a suicide mission. His band the Vigilance band is now a well oiled machine, the band members now have strong understanding of each other and if they continue at this trajectory they will be entering the goat level of bands such as the Black Spirits, Orchestra Dendera Kings and Black's Unlimited level (Fun fact: did you know Simon Chimbetu & Orchestra Dendera Kings recorded the iconic album 2000 Dendera Blend in just one take, imagine such a a level of expertise, how many bands today can do that??!! ). Back to Winky D, I just hope going forward he switches to live recording with his band so that even those who are not able to attend his shows can experience how good the band has become.  

2. Victor Kunonga

Victor is a master performer.  When you watch him perform you will understand when they say some people are just gifted, you just get it. Like he will blow you away in the most satisfying way. You won't be jumping around or shouting but the music will hit you deep inside to an extent where you can just start crying with joy. The way the guitars will be talking to each other, the awesome lead guitar, the beautiful rhythm guitar, that dependable and sturdy bass guitar ohhhhh then the drummer Ohhh the drummer, the guy who does drums for Victor Kunonga is a national treasure. Victor knows how to move the stage, those subtle classy dances are super beautiful. The performances will get you lost in the rhythm. 

Honorable Mentions :

Djembe Monks

Flying Bantu

Hope Masike

MsizKay

Dhadza D

Joyfull Praise Choir

1. Mokoomba

This band is hands down the best, noone touches them when it comes to consistenly delivering memorable live performances. For four years prior to the Covid pandemic I could not afford to miss a Mokoomba show, why deprive myself of such goodness, also they have an average of 3 shows per year in Harare so its easy to attend all of them. I got to understand why they are Zimbabwe's biggest musical export and among the most impressive bands from Africa when I attended their show. The volume of talent, the expertise and understanding that these guys have is insane, insane!!!. I remember at one of my early Mokoomba shows, I suddenly stopped dancing and just stared at Mathias the lead singer, his voice filled the auditorium in a way I had never experienced, I was wondering how one can do that, then at that same show when Trust the lead guitarist was doing his solo part, I again stopped and just stared, how can one make sound that beautiful, I just started laughing in disbelief, how was that even normal. I love these guys so much that I took all my close friends one by one to their shows over those 4 years, I couldn't keep such goodness to myself, and now they are all big fans, they are now the first to notify me when Mokoomba is in town. I remember when I took my then girlfriend now wife to her first Mokoomba show, in the middle of the show she just stood there staring at Mathias and I was like excatly my reaction on my first show. Its now normal that when Trust Samende is doing solo parts the whole auditorium just stops dancing and soak the guitar in. Whatever you pay watching Mokoomba is always a bargain. 

So ya thats my personal list of the best live performers in Zim from the shows that I have experienced in my slightly over 10 years of attending shows.

Feel free to share your top 5 list in the comments section below.

Proud_Zimbo