Reason AKA Sizwe Alakine and UK Rapper OneDa to Headline Shoko Festival

Zimbabwe’s longest-running celebration of urban culture, Shoko Festival, has revealed two major international additions to its highly anticipated Mash Up Night, set to take place at Harare Gardens on Friday, September 26.

For its landmark 15th edition, the festival announced that South African Hip Hop legend turned Amapiano sensation, Reason AKA Sizwe Alakine, and UK award-winning rapper OneDa will headline the event.

Reason AKA Sizwe Alakine, a South African Music Awards (SAMA) winner and nominee for Best South African Hip Hop Album of the Year, is renowned for his transition from hip hop to Amapiano. Festival organisers say he will deliver a unique “Hip Hop vs Amapiano” Sound Clash, taking the audience on a journey through his evolution as an artist, blending socially conscious lyrics with contemporary beats.

Adding international flair is Manchester-born rapper, producer, and poet OneDa, whose career has been supported by BBC 6 Music, 1Xtra, and BBC Radio 1. Recently named BBC Introducing’s One to Watch by the AIM Independent Music Awards, OneDa will collaborate with rising Zimbabwean urban artists Yadis and Enhle during her visit, further highlighting Shoko’s commitment to fostering cross-border artistic partnerships.

Shoko Festival Director Samm Farai Monro, known as Comrade Fatso, said: “Reason embodies what this year’s festival represents – building an urban culture legacy. He has been influential in South African hip hop for two decades and now pushes boundaries in Amapiano. OneDa’s collaboration with Yadis and Enhle demonstrates our commitment to creating international growth opportunities for Zimbabwean urban artists.”

The Mash Up Night line-up also features local hip hop star Sane Wav and legendary producer Take Fizzo. Fizzo will headline with performances from urban grooves pioneers Mafriq, Trinity, MC Chita, Mau Mau, Tererai, and Nembo Bwoy, taking the audience through Zimbabwe’s urban music evolution.

Further highlights include a collaboration between Kenyan spoken word artist Mufasa and the Arundel School Music Department, blending spoken word, jazz, choir, and orchestra. Additionally, Zimbabwean artists Segulm, Briza, Paintafresco, Yadis, and Enhle will debut new material created under the Mashoko Tapes residency, a festival initiative encouraging genre-crossing collaborations and experimentation in Zimbabwean urban music.

The 2025 festival will also feature Comedy Night on Thursday, September 25, headlined by Zimbabwe’s King Kandoro and Kenya’s satirical sensation Justine Wanda, alongside local talents Mike Chipere, Munya, Mbongeni Ignatius Ndlovu, and DJ Iroq. The festival will close with Peace In The Hood in Chitungwiza, a free event showcasing performances by Zim Hip Hop giant Bagga, Young Fantan, 2024 Best Newcomer Runna Rulez, rising dancehall artist Madedido, and chart-topper Jnr Spragga.

Tickets for Mash Up Night are available online at www.flippintickets.co.zw
and at Moto Republik box office, 3 Allan Wilson Avenue, Harare. Early bird tickets are priced at $10 for Mash Up Night, $15 for Comedy Night, with a combo ticket for both events available at $20.

Shoko Festival, organised by Magamba Network, celebrates Zimbabwean urban culture, free expression, and alternative youth art, remaining the country’s premier platform for cutting-edge creativity.

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