Zimbabwean music is heavily reliant on the use of instruments such as the mbira, Ngoma drums and hosho. Their music symbolizes much more than a simple rhythm, as the folk and pop style styled music was used as a symbol of hope for Zimbabweans looking to gain independence from Rhodesia.Music has played a significant role in the history of Zimbabwe, from a vital role in the traditional Bira ceremony used to call on ancestral spirits, to protest songs during the struggle for independence. The community in Zimbabwe used music to voice their resistance to their oppression, as one of the only weapons they had available to fight back with. In the eighties, the Music of Zimbabwe was at the center of the African Music scene thanks to genres such as Sungura and Jit. However, several performers were banned by state TV and radio leading to the closing of several music venues. here are the Top 10 Sungura artists of all time
Alick Macheso
Alick Macheso (born 10 June 1968), is a Zimbabwean musician. He came onto the music scene as a solo artist in 1998, with his debut album Magariro, which carried “Pakutema Munda “, probably the least noticeable from that album. From the first album he received recognition from fans, he did the album Vakiridzo the following year. His third album was Simbaradzo which made waves across Zimbabwe.
Tongai Moyo
Tongai Moyo (12 March 1968 – 15 October 2011) was a contemporary Zimbabwean musician, often referred to as Dhewa. Born and raised in Kwekwe, Dhewa rose to fame in the late 1990s as a solo artist and with the band Utakataka Express. Highly successful singles including “Samanyemba”, “Naye”, and “Muchina Muhombe” led to his national, regional and international fame; he produced 14 albums in a career of over twenty years.
Mark Ngwazi
Mark Ngwazi is a Zimbabwean musician who was born on Independence day in 1988. He is a band leader, composer and choreographer. He is the leader of Njanja Express group.
Simon Chimbetu
Simon Chimbetu (23 September 1955 – 14 August 2005) was a Zimbabwean guitarist, vocalist and composer. He was the founding member of his band Orchestra Dendera Kings. He was known by many stage names, including “Chopper, “Mr Viscose” (before imprisonment), “Cellular”, “Simomo” and “Mukoma Sam”.
Leonard Zhakata
Leonard “Karikoga” Zhakata (born . 25 June 1968) is a Zimbabwean musician and singer. He writes and sings mainly in his native Shona tongue. Zhakata, who adorns trademark glittering outfits, is best known for his hits Hupenyu Mutoro, Batai Mazwi and “Gomba Remarara”. However, it was his 1994 smash hit Mugove, from the album Maruva Enyika, which evaded government censorship and propelled him to national stardom.
Nicholas Zakaria
Nicholas Zakaria is a Zimbabwean musician who fronts sungura outfit Khiama Boys. He sometimes referred to as Senior Lecturer and is credited as being the man behind the nurturing of musicians such as Alick Macheso and System Tazvida. He is also known as Madzibaba based on his apostolic beliefs and his hairstyle and long beard.
Leonard Dembo
Leonard Tazvivinga Dembo, also Musoro We Nyoka (born Kwangwari Gwaindepi; 29 December 1959 in Chivi – 9 April 1996), was a Zimbabwean guitar-band musician and member of the bands Barura Express and The Outsiders. Incorporating traditional Shona sayings in his lyrics, his musical style was sungura-based, played on electric guitars tuned to emulate the characteristic sounds of the mbira. Was married to Nyasha for 3 years.
John Chibadura
John Chibadura was one of the best sungura and reggae artist in Zimbabwe. He was popularly known as “Mr Chitungwiza” for being the first musician to own a house in Chitungwiza at a time when the suburb was sprawling and when he was basking in glory. His music genre was a blend of sungura, jit, rhumba and reggae.
Sulumani Chimbetu
Sulumani Chimbetu is a Zimbabwean Dendera Music vocalist, guitarist, composer, stage performer and businessman. He is the frontman for the Orchestra Dendera Kings and son of the late Dendera music icon Simon Chimbetu.
Tryson Chimbetu
Tryson Chimbetu is the son of legendary dendera maestro, Naison Chimbetu, and a popular youthful singer, song writer and instrumentalist, who hogged the musical limelight in 2008 after launching his debut album ‘Marxist Revival’.
