The award show will be running under the theme "Cultural Estate", a statement about how the platform is a beacon for everything hip hop stands for in Zimbabwe: creativity, identity, and legacy. A fitting statement for Africa's longest running hip hop award showcase.
This year’s edition will see Desmond “Stunner” Chideme receive the Lifetime Achievement Award, cementing his role as one of the architects of Zimbabwean hip-hop. The awards will also pay tribute to the late Babongile Sikhonjwa, honouring his contribution to cultural commentary and community building.
This year's list of nominees spotlights rising names and a new crop of stars for the genre. Leading the way are Bling4 and Sane Wav with 8 nominations, followed by Runna Rulez and Bhanshee on 5, with the latter being the most nominated female.
Here is the full list of nominees for 2025:
Best Male
Bagga
Bling4
Sane Wave
Runna Rulez
Voltz JT
Best Female
Noluntu J
Yadis
Millz Million
Swazy
Bhanshee
Best Collaboration
Voltz JT ft Sane Wave – Cannabis
Micky Black ft Holy Ten, Jake Miles, Banks – Bhema Bhema
Bling4 ft Runna Rulez – Boyz Rangu
Scripmula ft Runna Rulez, Holy Ten – Bhururuka
Yadis ft Hooksmith – Kepele
Best Hip Hop Group
Luminous & Curtis Dee Rovar
Briza & Klyve Beats
Mulanation
A99
Benefit Tanaka & Phoenix Beats
Best Producer
Nag Beats
Calvinmadeit
Klyve Beats
The Curator
Caleb Beats
Its Don’t Worry
Best Newcomer
Hooksmith
Yadis
Briza
Sane Wave
Micky Black
Trap Dee
Best Brand Supporting Hip Hop
A99
Bulawayo Connect
Sukhavad Apparel
3rd World Entertainment
Voice of Zim Hip Hop
Best Album
Kwela Initiative
Runna Rulez – Skunyu
RayKaz – Those Around Me
Bling4 – Hosana
Benefit Tanaka & Phoenix Beats – Pana Mwinga
Best Promoter
Brintz and Farai
Shoko Festival
Bulawayo Connect
That Boy Cader
3rd World Entertainment
Best Diaspora
Tidech
Dimitri & The Scarecrow
Mlue Jay
Mr Nyamz
Mas Genesis
Don Dada
Best Gospel Act
Bhanshee
Swazy
Reap3r
Churchboi Gee
Teqmula
216 Whiskey
Calvinmadeit
Jason Gwanzura
Best Underground
Benefit Tanaka
Gambit Ilmind
Leodale
Gilmore
Tidech
That Boy Cader
Best Alternative
Wes The Rapper
Mugaratia
216 Whiskey
Banshee
Paintafresco
Planet Dodger Online Media
Riddim and Raps
PD – Kulture Kontrol
Mumhanzi Media
Clout-base
EarGround
ZimSphere
Best Journalist
EarGround
PD The Ghost
Tawanda Chari
Takudzwa Manando
Malcom Mufunde
Song of the Year
Sane Wav – Bhimu
Bling4 ft Runna Rulez – Boys Rangu
Mr Nyamz – Mutupo
Micky Black – Bhema Bhema
Young Gemini – Dhe Nhanha Dhe
Video of the Year & Video Director
Sane Wave – Madzimai
Mr Nyamz – Mutupo
Bagga – Zvandinonamatira
ScripMula – Bhururuka
Noluntu J – Skelem
Briss Mbada – I Wish
Best Live Act
Bling4
Bagga
Paintafresco
Noluntu J
Sane Wav
Best Hip Hop Hustle
Mr Nyamz
Voltz JT
Bling4
Bagga
Sane Wav
That Boy Cader
Best Hip Hop Verse (Sweet 16)
Yadis – Sunday Morning Cartoons
RayKaz – Ray's Insomnia
Paintafresco – Don't Know
Hooksmith – Kepele
Malcom Mufunde – Harare
Hip Hop Personality of the Year
Sane Wav
R Peels
Donne Jovi
Briza
Bling4
Bagga
Kurry Suave
People’s Choice
Runna Rulez
Voltz JT
Sane Wav
Bling4
Bagga
Mr Nyamz
Lifetime Achievement
Stunner
Positive Social Impact Award
Kwela Initiative
Jason Gwanzura
Mike Cibeh
Bhanshee
Voltz JT
Spoken Word (Poetry)
Thee Ammartian
Kuda Rice
Bhanshee
Sholare
Dimitri and The Scarecrow
Honorary Award
Babongile Sikhonjwa