By Princess of Harare, Princess Eugene Majuru
The annual Kadoma Music Festival has once again cemented its status as a flagship event on Zimbabwe’s entertainment calendar, with this year’s edition being hailed as a resounding success that showcased a perfect blend of top-tier international standards and powerful local talent. The festival, held at the Odyssey venue, benefited from a key partnership with Surrey Group, which reportedly helped execute preparations that met global benchmarks, ensuring a flawless experience for the thousands of dedicated fans.
The success of the festival highlights the continued trajectory of Zimbabwean music, proving that the local scene is soaring to new, unprecedented heights.
Chimurenga Legacy and Genre Diversity
The lineup was a rich tapestry of genres, giving fans a spectacular and diverse musical journey. A key highlight was the enduring legacy of Chimurenga music, powerfully carried forward by Kurai Makore. Following the semi-retirement of the genre’s founding father, Thomas Mapfumo, Makore demonstrated that the music “runs in the blood,” assuring Zimbabweans that the revolutionary sound will never go thirsty. His performance of the hit single “Vanhu Vatema” was particularly electric, keeping the audience on their dancing feet and singing along to the conscious lyrics.
Adding to the diversity were equally compelling performances from other local stars:
Jualian King delivered an impressive set, including a well-received performance of his hit song “One By One”.
Feli Nandi captivated the crowd, with her stage presence and vocal prowess likened to a “fine wine.” Her popular song “Varume Vatema” was a crowd favorite, perfectly rocking the massive festival.
Freeman HKD and Jamaican star Christopher Martin put on a stellar joint display, getting the entire crowd jumping with energy and synergy.
The UK Diaspora Challenge and Home Soil Triumph
The festival provided a vital stage for diaspora talent, notably the UK-based artist Quonfused. His performance on home soil was exceptionally well-received by the Zimbabwe-based fans, standing in sharp contrast to the perception that he is often “under-rated” by the UK-Zimbabwean fan base.
This disparity underscores a persistent challenge for Zim UK-based artists, who often struggle to secure the necessary support from promoters and fans in the UK to achieve mainstream success. The warm reception for Quonfused in Kadoma served as a poignant reminder that, for many, the true heart and starting point of their musical journey and their ultimate validation “happens in Zimbabwe.”
Big Man Status and International Explosions
The closing sets featured undisputed superstars who underlined the festival’s international magnitude.
Winky D, the “Big Man” of Zimdancehall, once again proved his enduring dominance and professional pedigree. His performance was described as “pro and super,” showcasing a mastery of the stage that left no doubt as to his status as one of the country’s most phenomenal performers.
The night reached its crescendo with the arrival of Jamaican dancehall megastar Busy Signal. Making a “hot, electric, action-packed entry,” Busy Signal was true to his name, maintaining a whirlwind of energy that captivated the audience from start to finish. His commanding stage presence and high-octane delivery ensured the crowd remained “busy,” turning the final act into a memorable piece of music history that solidified Kadoma’s place on the global dancehall circuit.
The Kadoma Music Festival continues to be a crucial platform for both homegrown stars and global icons, driving Zimbabwe’s dynamic and burgeoning music scene to ever-greater heights.
Kutai Makore
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