Zimbabwe Music Awards (ZIMA) were recently held on the 3rd of June in Harare, with many talented artists vying for the coveted awards. The nominees and winners covered 25 categories ranging from Song of the Year, Best Female Artist of the Year, Best Male Artist of the Year, Best Group/Duo of the Year, and Producer of the Year, among others.
Notably, Saintfloew, Leo Magozz, Freeman HKD, Feli Nandi, and Gemma led the pack with the highest number of nominations in various categories. Saintfloew and Leo Magozz were nominated in four categories, while Freeman HKD, Feli Nandi, and Gemma were nominated in three categories.
Saintfloew and Leo Magozz competed for the Best Hip Hop and Song of the Year categories. Freeman HKD, Feli Nandi, and Gemma were nominated in the Best Album of the Year, Best Afropop/Afrofusion, and Best Collaboration categories, among others.
Fusion 5 Mangwiro, The Vine, Vabati VaJehova, Indosakusa, and Alick Macheso all received nominations across different categories. Fusion 5 Mangwiro and The Vine were nominated for Best Group/Duo of the Year and Best Jazz, while Vabati VaJehova received a nod for Best Group/Duo of the Year.
Alick Macheso, on the other hand, was nominated for Best Album of the Year and Best Sungura. Meanwhile, Indosakusa received a nomination for Best Group/Duo of the Year and Best Traditional.
The top five awards categories namely Best Female Artist of the Year, Best Male Artist of the Year, Best Group or Duo of the Year, Best Newcomer of the Year and Best Album of the Year are closed which means nominees are selected by ZIMA while the rest were submitted by artists from March 13, 2023 to April 14, 2023 for music released from January 1 to December 31, 2022.
The Zimbabwe Music Awards 2023 winners and nominee list features a diverse range of categories, including Best Zimdancehall, Best Hip Hop, Best Contemporary Gospel, and Best Dance. The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony, which promises to be a celebration of Zimbabwean music and talent.
Here are the winners of the Zimbabwe Music Awards 2023
Song of the Year
- Leo Maggoz - Fire Emoji Remix
- Saintfloew - Silas Mavende
- Vakomana VeDrip - Freeman HKD [WINNER]
- Ndoona Iwe - Feli Nandi
- Lola Ishan
Best Male Artist of the Year
- Mark Ngwazi
- Freeman HKD [WINNER]
- Saintfloew
- Leo Magozz
Best Female Artist of the Year
- Feli Nandi [WINNER]
- Dorcas Moyo
- Janet Manyowa
- Gemma
Best Group/Duo of the Year
- Fusion 5 Mangwiro
- The Vine
- Vabati VaJehova
- Indosakusa [WINNER]
Best Album of the Year
- Izwi - Feli Nandi
- Tinosvitswa Nashe - Alick Macheso
- David & Goliath - Freeman HKD [WINNER]
- Bvudzi Rangu Ramera - Docus Moyo
Best Zimdancehall
- Guspy Warrior
- King Shaddy
- Freeman HKD [WINNER]
- Ricky Fire
Best Sungura
- Leonard Karikoga Zhakata
- Mark Ngwazi [WINNER]
- D.T BIO Mudimba
- Alick Macheso
Best Afropop / Afrofusion
- Feli Nandi
- Msizkay
- Gemma
- Ishan [WINNER]
Best Hip Hop
- Saintfloew [WINNER]
- Leo Magozz
- Hillzy
- Scripmula
Best Collaboration
- Freeman HKD Featuring Chris Martin - Zimbabwean Queen
- Gemma Featuring Enzo Ishall - Huya Tinamate
- Leo Magozz Featuring Various Artists - Fire Emoji Remix [WINNER]
- Ishan Featuring Annatoria - Lola
Best Contemporary Gospel
- Andrea The Vocalist
- Janet Manyowa [WINNER]
- Everton Mlalazi
- The Vine
Best Traditional Gospel
- Vabati VaJohovha
- Dorcas Moyo [WINNER]
- Benny Hadassah Muzanamombe
- Mannerz
Best RnB & Soul
- Nox
- Blue Rose
- Kim Makumbe
- Nyasha Timbe [WINNER]
Best Jazz
- Agga Nyabinde
- Breeze Music
- Josh Meck [WINNER]
- Fusion 5 Mangwiro
Best Dance (House, Amapiano, Kwaito, EDM)
- La Dee
- Leslie Kampila [WINNER]
- King 98
- Master Zhou
Best Music Video
- Gemma - Huya Tinamate
- Janet Manyowa - Vaudze [WINNER]
- Freeman - Robbery
- Hillzy - Nharo
Best Videographer
- Mitch Uta
- Sly Pro
- Studio Art Pictures [WINNER]
- Director AM
Best Diaspora
- Nox
- Dr Chaii [WINNER]
- Vusa Mkhaya
- Mlue Jay
Best Tshibilika
- Clement Magwaza
- Madlela Skhobokhobo
- Ezokubhimba
- Insimbi Zezhwane [WINNER]
Best Traditional (Chinyakare, Chimurenga)
- Brity Yonly
- Mazarura
- Mary Anibal [WINNER]
- Othnell Mangoma Moyo
Best Folore Traditional (Chinyakare, Chimurenga)
- Ndosakusa
- Skhosana Bhuhlungu
- Amaqaqa [WINNER]
Best Alternative
- Jeys Marabini
- Msizkay
- MJ Sings
- Feli Nandi [WINNER]
Producer of the year
- Alicious
- Nyasha Timbe
- Chillspot Records
- Oskid [WINNER]
Lifetime Achievement Award
- Tymon 'Whitehorse' Mabaleka