Zim Hip Hop Awards also known as Zimbabwe Hip Hop Awards (abbreviated as ZHHA) is an annual awards event created to recognise outstanding Zimbabwean hip hop artists in Zimbabwe as well as diaspora based hip hop artists. The awards are presented in December each year.
History Zimbabwe Hip Hop Awards were established in December 2011 and the first edition was held at 7 Arts Theater in Harare becoming the first awards ceremony for hip hop artists in Zimbabwe. The awards have been key to putting Zimbabwean hip hop on the national and regional map.
Entry For nomination, an artist’s music has to be released on radio or public media platforms from the previous cycle of November which runs to October in that current year. An artist must provide credible work and supporting articles as references to show actual release of material. The ZHHA panel will select nominees and the list of nominees is publicised in press a month before the event.
The awards are presented every second week of December and the winners' list is released to the press. Winners receive a framed plaque at the ceremony.
Categories The ceremony presents 24 award categories.
Best Male Best Female Best Newcomer Best Hip-Hop Duo/Group Best Album Song of the year Best Producer Best Collaboration Best Brand Supporting Local HipHop Best Promoter Best Diaspora Best Radio DJ Best Club DJ Best Gospel Act Best Dance Act Best underground Best alternative Best Online Media Best Journalist. Video Of The Year & video director of the year Best hip hop hustle. Best hip hop verse (sweet 16 award) Hip hop personality of the year People’s choice
Awards editions Zim Hip Hop Awards 2011, 7 Arts Theater, Harare Zim Hip Hop Awards 2012, 7 Arts Theater, Harare Zim Hip Hop Awards 2013, 7 Arts Theater, Harare Zim Hip Hop Awards 2014, Wing Wah International, Harare Zim Hip Hop Awards 2015, Club 1+1, Long Cheng Plaza, Harare Zim Hip Hop Awards 2016, Club 1+1, Long Cheng Plaza, Harare Zim Hip Hop Awards 2017, Zimbabwe Music Academy, Bulawayo Zim Hip Hop Awards 2018, Pabloz, Sam Levy's Village, Harare Zim Hip Hop Awards 2019, Club 1+1, Long Cheng Plaza, Harare Zim Hip Hop Awards 2020, Rainbow Towers Hotel, Harare
Past winners Category 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 NotesBest Hip Hop PromoterOutspokenMagambaMark VusaniPrezoJackson ZimboyZimboyCottage47Magamba NetworkBest ProducerBegotten SunTake FizzoSimba tagzAnonzi XndrFun FTake FizzoRayo BeatsJamalJonn The ProducerTha DawgBest Star Fm freestyle artistAlka NemoAward only awarded in the inaugural year of ZHHA, 2012.Best Album"Syn City" by Synik"The Feeling Ain’t Fair" by Few Kings"Blood Money" by Jacob Poy"Year of The Vin" by Cal_Vin"Sharky" by Soko Matemai"Better than Your Album" by Noble Stylz"Mariachi" by MuzukuruKing 98Jungle Loco – Bata Ma Streets"Risky Life" by Holy TenBest newcomerSynikMarcquesPeekayGuluva 7TakuraTulk MunnyTanto WavieN Jay OhHoly TenVoltz JTBest collaboration"Power cut" by Synik ft Metaphysics, Junior Brown and MC ChitaZvidhori remix"Zvenyu" by Ti Gonzi (feat. Baller Mandizha)"Mainini" by 8L ft Tocky "Get Mine" by Myke Pimp ft Jnr Brown and TRK"Mambo" by Asaph ft Tha Dawg and F Mcswag "Wacko" by King 98 feat. Nasty C & Laylizzy"Ginde" by Crooger ft. Asaph & Ti Gonzi "Rasta" by Mile (feat. Marques) Best radio DJDavies Mugadza (Power FM)Davies Mugadza (Power FM)TbassEmmitty SmoothMox (Star FM)Lady K & PD The Ghost for The Fixx ZiFM StereoLady K & PD The Ghost for The Fixx ZiFM StereoThorneLady K & PD The Ghost for The Fixx ZiFM StereoDJ MoxBest female artistTrae YungTrae YungBlackbirdBlacperlAwa KhiweKikky BadassNatasha MuzPhreshyKikky Bad AssKikky Bad AssBest Male artistMaskiriTehn DiamondPeekayCal_VinTiGonziStunnerTakuraTi GonziR PeelsHoly TenBest Video"H town" by Tatea da Mc ft Crimson Blu"10/10" by Mudiwa Hood"Hamuko" by Schingy"Handivhundustwe" by Nastro"Inna Me Head" by Stunner (feat. Sir Ford)"Slayin" by Mudiwa Hood"Mambo" by Asaph Scrip Mula & SimDoc with King Santa"Ginde" by Crooger"Chini Juu" by King 98 (From 2020 category is called Video of the Year and Video Director of the year)Best Gospel hip hop artistMudiwa HoodMudiwa HoodMudiwa HoodCourtney AntipasMudiwa HoodCourtney AntipasCaespidorCourtney AntipasNTAPeople’s choice awardStunnerMudiwa HoodTricky jStunnerKikky BadassBrythreesixtyMudiwa HoodHoly TenHoly TenLife time achievement awardMetaphysicsChiwoniso MarairemizchifBest Hip Hop GroupFew KingsMMTArt DepartmentBurg BoyzFew KingsMula NationMula NationCrisswiss & The DotCrooger & Kikky (Winner)(From 2021 the category is named Best Hip Hop Group/Duo)Best Online MediaMcpotarThe Lounge –KronicZimbuzzKeep it Real FridaysThe ZimTainmentRed NationZimsphereZazise MediaBest HustleJnr BrownMudiwa HoodTakuraKing 98R PeelsTashamiswaBest UndergroundDoc FreezyPsyko TektonicIndigo SaintH-filesGunx Da PharaohProzacMalcom MufundeBest DiasporaKapital KRhyme AssassinRhyme AssassinKarizmaHillzyYung TyranGT BeatsMlue JayAwa KhiweBest Hip Hop VerseGze – Imhandu 2nd verse"Ngena ka1" Guluva Sev7nTi Gonzi – ‘Misi Haifanane’Ti Gonzi (Kure)‘Ginde’ – AsaphIndigo Saint - 93 Till Infinity FreestyleBest Dance CrewAntivirusHood CrankersDNASuper GeeksSuper GeeksAntivirus(Category was called Best Jibilika dance act in 2012 Edition)Best AlternativeTytanSimba TagzIndigo SaintDough MajorBest Local Family Supporting Hip HopHip Hop 263 by Naboth RizlaBest TV MediaTrey Ncube – Basement CyphersBest JournalistSindiso Dube (NewsDay)PrometheusSindiso Dube (NewsDay)Bongani NdlovuMike ShokoTakudzwa KadzuraMthabisi TshumaBest Positive Social ContributionJibilikaBest Solo DancerAdrean Zinasitanaka rokiJohn ColeBest Corporate Brand Supporting Hip-hopArizona SpurZvanhuwa FashionsChangamire Hip Hop FestivalKingsville ClothingBig BassBest Album ArtRoad to FameBest High SchoolOverdoseBest Club DJP StylesRaydizzLinsay the dudeRaydizzRaydizzDJ KrimzBest FreestyleAlka NemoMVPJnr BrownSong of the Year"Madrinks" by Jnr Brown"Ma1" by Peekay"Zikhupani" by Cal_Vin "No Stress" by Tehn Diamond"Mambo" by Asaph "Kure" by Ishan (feat. Ti Gonzi)"Ndaremerwa" by Holy Ten"These Days" by Voltz JTBest BrandVoltHip Hop Personality of the YearMudiwa HoodStunnerAsaphR Peels
Special awards +YearAward nameRecipientNotes2019Honorary Award from the Zim Hip Hop FamilyOliver MtukudziPosthumous award2020Artist of the DecadeStunner
Controversy The Zim Hip Hop Awards has had some controversies surrounding its presentation and nomination criteria with several reporters and fans expressing concern when nominees are released.
Other Awards +YearAward nameRecipientNotes2019Best Male Hip hop ArtistAsaphBulawayo Arts award2023Artist of the YearD Craze Pumula Awards
References