27 Listicle Series: Thando

Zimbabwean born, Melbourne based soul singer Thando returns with new single ‘Happy’, a track which hypnotises and constricts as effortlessly as a cobra seducing its prey. We asked Thando to tell us about Five Zimbabwean artists you NEED to know about right now.

1. Ruva

She’s an Afro-Pop artist born and bred here in Melbourne, a killer actress and dancer who has been in the Lion King, Dusty and is currently in Beautiful: The Carol King Musical. Her ability to go from theatre star to Afro-Pop princess is nothing short of incredible. I love how multi dimensional she is.

2. Kudzai

He’s just an all around legend, a modern take on Afro-Pop with a cross over to an international market I reckon. I turn up to his tunes before a night out; the absolute GOAT.

3. Ziimusic

Zii is a multi-instrumentalist, spoken word artist and producer who just knows how to reach into my heart, grab onto it for a few minutes and slowly let go as the song goes on. He represents Zimbabwe in a way that can resonate with all of us whether we’re part of diaspora or we grew up here as Aussies.

4. T$oko

Straight outta WA! Recently connected with him cause I hear his music online. I felt instantly drawn to this tune cause it made me remember watching VHS tapes from when I was 7 years old; riding in the back seat of our family car while talking complete camera. I remember cause it was dad was driving from Bulawayo to Harare after we visited my grandmothers in Luveve and Worringham. Super throwback.

5. Tkay Maidza

OMG I heard this and I was like… YES. We NEED this! We needed a bad bitch FEMALE rapper from Zimbabwe slaying in Australia! She’s just gone from complete strength to strength and it makes me super proud to see someone from Zimbabwe conquering a commercial market the way she is, and remaining unapologetically herself. Her music is also always on my turnup playlist, because she too is my GOAT.