The HKD Festival is fast becoming a melting pot of Zimbabwean music, bringing together some of the country’s biggest names across Zimdancehall, afro-fusion, hip-hop, and Jiti. The second edition, set for 25 October at Glamis Arena, promises a vibrant showcase of local talent as different genres converge under one stage.
Zimdancehall powerhouses, Seh Calaz and Nutty O, soulful songbird Feli Nandi, and hip-hop sensation Voltz JT will lead the star-studded line-up. These artists were part of the inaugural HKD Festival held last year at Alexandra Sports Club, where Freeman HKD launched his 13th album Me vs. Me. That debut edition also featured Bazooker, Master H, Trevor Dongo, Nyasha David, Kayflow, Maggikal, and King 98, among others.
This year’s event takes the diversity a step further. Joining the already impressive line-up are Kana Ndanyura hitmaker, Killer T, afro-fusion artist, Nashie Zim — whose latest collaboration Kunge Ngirozi with Nyasha David is making waves — and hip-hop heavyweights Bagga and Bling 4. Jiti king, Baba Harare, Atenda Chinx, and Culture Love add more flavour to what promises to be one of the most memorable nights on the local music calendar.
Seasoned MCs Merciless, Gudo, and Godfather Templeman will host the event, backed by DJ Tanaman. The Don Family will make their return, while DJ King Her is set to make his debut appearance on the HKD stage.
Freeman HKD, the festival’s founder and main act, continues to show his influence and innovation within Zimbabwe’s urban music scene. In a recent Facebook post, the HKD Boss revealed plans to drop new songs just days before the show, a move that has heightened anticipation among fans eager to experience his fresh material live.
The HKD Festival follows a busy entertainment calendar that saw Freeman share the stage with Winky D and Jamaican dancehall icons, Christopher Martin and Busy Signal, at last weekend’s Kadoma Music Festival.
As anticipation builds for the Glamis Arena showdown, one thing is clear the HKD Festival is not just a Zimdancehall event. It has evolved into a celebration of Zimbabwean sound in all its diversity, proving that local music continues to grow stronger when artists from different backgrounds share one stage and one dream.
