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.
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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.
FRI 17 AUGUST | Newport Hotel | Fremantle, WA
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SAT 18 AUGUST | Amplifier Capitol | Perth
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FRI 24 AUGUST | Oxford Art Gallery | Sydney, NSW
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SAT 25 AUGUST | Transit Bar | Canberra
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SUN 26 AUGUST | Oxford Art Gallery | Sydney, NSW
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FRI 31 AUGUST | Black Bear Lodge | Brisbane, QLD
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SAT 1 SEPTEMBER | Black Bear Lodge | Brisbane, QLD
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THUR 6 SEPTEMBER | BIGSOUND | Brisbane, QLD
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FRI 21 + SAT 22 SEPTEMBER | Wollombi Music Festival | Wollombi, NSW
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FRI 28 + SAT 29 SEPTEMBER | Wallaby Creek Festival | Rossville, QLD
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