I don’t claim to be an expert in predictions, but I can comfortably say who are the likely artistes to dominate this year’s music charts in Zimbabwe. Having watched the trend in the just ended 2024, it is natural to think that the same artistes will prevail in 2025. There might be one or two new players but the competition is getting tougher.
First up is music, so get ready to discover which artistes and trends will be dominating the airwaves in 2025.
This article is full of insider info from people in the know!
The biggest genre of music in 2025 probably won’t be a genre at all. In the era of streaming and social media, musical categories are breaking down and fusing, turning some of Zimbabwe’s music into Amapiano or Afro-beats leaving behind the likes of Sungura, Jiti, Zim Hip Hop, Zim Gospel, Jazz and Zimdancehall.
Artistes who will dominate the scene in 2025 include Winky D, despite his challenges with some authorities for expressing his thoughts about Zimbabwe’s situation freely. He was in the charts last year with Iyeye , This year, there will also be Jah Prayzah who also showed us his dominance in 2024 through songs like Furuwa and Nyeredzi .
Freeman came up with the hits Handikurove and Zvemafirimu before his counterpart, Nutty O delivered Chamuvhiriri.
Not to be outdone, Saintfloew who fought hard to remain in the charts the whole of 2024 gave us Parikuda Munhu and Banga while Holy Ten also brought the hit Delilah.
Killer T who rules the ghettos of Harare and other parts on Zimbabwe,not to be left behind, threw into the ring, a popular song known as Kana Ndanyura. The song is still trending right now.
In gospel circles, Minister Michael Mahendere gave us Guta Rehutiziro while Mambo Dhuterere countered this offering with another gospel scorcher,. Ndiye Manuwere.
I am certain that they will deliver more chart-topping gospel tunes this year.
In Zimdancehall, Master H’s Dhanzi also cracked the 2024 charts. Enzo Ishal hit the charts with Masahwira. Chillmaster came up with Dai Tangosiyana Nazvo and Hapasikuda Nharo while Voltz JT scored with Kutidzorera Mushure. With the innovativeness of these charismatic Zimdancehall artistes, I bet my bottom dollar that 2025 will continue to shine light on them.
Of course, Alick Macheso who released Zvichada Hama on the Kupa Kuturika album in August 2024 will continue to rule the roost in Sungura circles.
Having looked at and analysed the chart-topping music on the year 2024, it is my belief that the same artistes listed above, will be competing for the same space in 2025.
Predictions are usually statements about what one thinks will happen in the future. As the above artistes compete for space, there is no doubt that the same musicians will dominate the charts in 2025.
Let’s take a look back at the year 2024 then go out on a limb for what could happen in 2025. We are in unpredictable territory for a bunch of reasons, but there are encouraging trends in the music industry. We know that Jah Prayzah and Winky D will remain at the top of the Zimbabwean charts in 2025.
It’s undeniable that 2024 has been the year where a lot of musicians have been more creative online and have used live streaming platforms like TikTok, Instagram or X to provide high quality content to audiences and very often by incorporating licensed music in their streams. Last year, streaming accounted for around 90% of music consumption.
In 2025, this trend will continue for many consumers. This year, we will see more and more creators and artistes showcasing their own music creations with streaming in order to promote their content, attract new followers, and engage with their fans online.
The live streaming space will become incredibly noisy as every band and singer searches for new ways to provide a live music experience during 2025.
With the advancement in technology, music consumption through CD sales is going to be a thing of the past in the year 2025.
TikTok will become even more dominant. TikTok is an absolute monolith.
The opportunity for virality and social media explosion on TikTok is huge for artistes despite the threat of it being banned in the United States by President-elect, Donald Trump.
This makes it one of the most important digital platforms for music in 2025.
Gone are the days when one would simply walk into a record shop and buy a vinyl disc to play on a gramophone at home. Today’s kids do not even know what a record player looks like, let alone a 12-inch vinyl record.
Over the last few years, consumption habits have been slowly changing.
It’s here now and figuring out how to smash short form TikTok style content for our music is how artistes can meet this growing demand.
The industry is fighting back with new ways to monetise music consumption and innovative models: It is easy to host a live concert using online platforms that will attract millions of live viewers,
but how to monetise this phenomenon is another mountain to climb.
Album launches will be fewer in 2025. So far only Jah Prayzah has announced his yet-to- be titled album launch which will be held in May 2025. Podcasts will be the new trend that will be competing more and more for fans as podcasts do not really require the artistes to get paid. A lot of music consumers will try to download music for free, which is a big disadvantage to the creators of such products.
Despite this, there are going to be several new kids on the block in 2025.
Out of desperation for something to do, many unemployed youths will soon surface onto the music scene.
The landscape for artists is changing every single day.
So how does 2025 look for the music industry, and how can independent artistes stay ahead of their game? No doubt, there will be a huge increase in prices for music products just like there has been increases in prices of other goods in the supermarkets, in electricity and fuel.
Consumers will try their best to avoid paying for music as they struggle with other bills. More marketing strategies need to be thought out.
Here are more music industry predictions and upcoming music business trends to look out for in 2025.
The first one is that the thirst for live concerts becomes greater this year.
Keeping fingers, toes and everything else crossed, 2025 should be one of the biggest years for live concerts and gigs as people crave the booming return of the live music industry.
We are already seeing this with the rise of Tik Tok/Spotify canvas and consumption. I think there will always be artwork but there will also be versions for Apple/Spotify and more.
We hope that 2025 will bring a happy new year and better fortunes for musicians.
nFeedback: frezindi@gmail.com