By MKHOKHELI ZIBENGWA
The anticipation is reaching fever pitch as the Zimbabwe Hip Hop Awards (ZHHA) gear up to announce the official nominees for the 2025 edition on Monday, 17 November.
The reveal, scheduled for 11AM, will stream live on Earground TV, giving fans, artists and industry stakeholders a front-row seat to one of the most important moments on the local hip hop calendar.
Organisers confirmed a slight delay in the release of the nominees but assured the public that the wait has allowed them to refine the process and deliver an announcement that reflects the integrity and growth of the awards. The 2025 ceremony, set for 12 December at Zimbali Events, will mark a historic milestone, 15 years of celebrating excellence, shaping talent and elevating Zimbabwean urban culture under the banner #CulturalEstate.
This year’s edition promises to be one of the biggest yet, with a star-studded lineup of performers including Bling 4, Runner Rulez, Raykaz, Yadis, Sane Wave and Muse. Fans have been urged to follow the buildup across social media as excitement builds ahead of the prestigious awards night.
Speaking to Byo Arts News Online, ZHHA Director Aldrian “Beefy” Harrison highlighted the significance of this year’s milestone and what people can expect from the ceremony.
“Every edition is different because it’s a step further to new achievements. We are celebrating 15 years as a brand, something many awards have failed to achieve,” he said. “People can expect a night of excellence as we honour those who worked throughout the year. Expect a star-studded lineup, the glitz and glam, and a night of cultural bliss.”
Harrison also shed light on the selection and adjudication process that determines who makes it onto the nominees list.
“We have rules, regulations, guidelines and criteria,” he explained. “Our adjudication team follows the criteria, which makes the process very simple. Music is subjective, but we make it a point to be very objective about the process.”
He added that the judging panel comprises respected industry figures with extensive knowledge of the hip hop ecosystem.
“Our panel consists of industry heads from all departments. They meet at a roundtable and break down each category and its nominees. As a brand, we attend these sessions to ensure every process is above board. We also consult personalities within the genre, and in the end we decipher every detail until we have a final list.”
With the awards now in their 15th year, the ZHHA continues to cement its status as the premier platform honouring Zimbabwean hip hop talent. Fans across the country are encouraged to tune in to the live nominees reveal and join the momentum as the countdown to the 12 December awards ceremony intensifies.
