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Mthabisi Tshuma and Bongani Ndlovu, Showbiz Correspondents
The year 2020 is one year that most people would want to quickly forget due to the Covid-19 pandemic’s disruptions of every facet of life.

Countries worldwide were forced to enforce lockdown restrictions meant to curb the spread of the pandemic thereby forcing people to change their way of life.

Artistes were the most affected as entertainment activities were among the first to be suspended.

What is however, encouraging is that to some artistes, the Covid-19 challenges were in fact opportunities. The forced confinement gave them ample time to work and perfect their craft. Interestingly, this was also a year that most underground and up-and-coming artistes made names for themselves through sharing their works online.

Most people spent greater part of their time at home browsing the Internet thereby giving artistes a good opportunity to showcase their works online. The artistes were therefore guaranteed audiences on various social media networking sites as people spent many hours browsing the Internet daily.

Below are some of the up-and-coming artistes in the Matabeleland region who were unearthed this year.

Who can forget the Wadiwa Wepamoyo online local drama that captivated the hearts of many Zimbabweans at the start of the lockdown? One of the lead characters that online audiences loved was Mai Noku, a role that was played by Afro pop songstress Lee McHoney. The Bulawayo-based artiste exchanged the mic for an acting career this year and it worked well.

If you watched most of the major virtual shows be it Credisi or the Roil Bulawayo Arts Awards, you would have come across the bubbly presenter and media personality, Pat Phiri. She was one of the people who shone during the lockdown period.

The Germany-based rapper went viral after she shared a video clip of her spitting rhymes on social media. The clip caught the attention of thousands, among them rappers Mudiwa, Takura, Chengeto Brown, DJ Tamuka and legendary South African hip-hop star Zakwe. The video clip that was shared on her Twitter amassed over 200 000 views.

This was generally a good year for Msiz’kay. Towards the end of the year, a song he features in, Happy, reached more than two million views on YouTube and he won a RoilBAA, featured on one of the biggest hip-hop hits in Zimbabwe Aspheli’moya with Asaph and the two collaborated again on a December tune, Back to December.

Ma9Nine (real name Hansel Ndlovu) through his Windi Womtshova and Ngonana Nce hits became an overnight sensation. While at it, he made people appreciate Zimdancehall in Ndebele language. Recently, he trended once again following the release of Chimuti, a track which features Zimdancehall sensation Enzo Ishall.

Using stage name Nate (real name Natalie Manzungu), the Afro-pop/house musician was unearthed through her performances on the Fusion Media Group (FMG) live sessions that were held on Facebook during the lockdown. She became a hit and regularly got slots on the show leading her to record singles. Recently, she landed a spot on Nash Nation Vibes through her track Party All Night.
Zenzo and Aleck

Two veterans of the stage and television acting, Zenzo Nyathi and Aleck Zulu reinvented themselves through online skits. The duo used their comedy skits as satire for topical issues, be it politics, sport or entertainment. These skits have garnered them a following online.

If you patronised Smokehouse this year, you can attest that the lanky DJ was the tonic of the nights. He kept the place grooving and even had his own lockdown parties that many people watched online when bars were closed. He also released an EP, Less is More that is doing well.

Puzzle Moment Pictures

As people were bored during the lockdown, high resolution and beautiful pictures of songstress-cum-dancer Sandra Ndebele that broke the local internet surfaced. People were blown away by the images that were brought out by PuzzleMoment Pictures. The man behind the camera, Ricky Kamota also did impressive shoots of former Miss Tourism Zimbabwe Samantha Tshuma and the late businessman Genius “Ginimbi” Kadungure.

South Africa-based, Esigodini-born DJ Zandimaz (real name Zandile Mazithulela) shot to fame this year with her song Emathandweni that features Kalawa vocalist Nokwazi. In line with the Amapiano craze, the song became one of the festive hits, shooting her to prominence. This month, she was invited for an appearance at a local club in Bulawayo.

Hailing from Nkayi, maskandi musician, Clopas Sikhosana (Sikhosana Band) became an Internet sensation in May after his video clip of a Covid-19 song went viral. This was after 14 years of strumming his guitar in Gwamba Village but with little acclaim. Through support he received online, he was able to release his debut album titled Kumnandi with the help of Madlela Skhobokhobo. To cap it all off, he won his first award, a Roil Bulawayo Arts Awards in the Outstanding Newcomer of the Year category.

Victoria Falls High School twins Nkosilathi and Nkosenhle Ncube who use the stage name, Top Kings gained popularity during the lockdown as the closure of schools gave them ample time to work on their music. A few months back, they released a singles collection of nine songs and bagged a spot on the Nash Tv Color Vibes show. Their hit single Amakhekhekhe had its video going viral on YouTube.

Reggae and dancehall artiste Mandie Mae was a revelation this year. Her recent work, What Did I Say is doing wonders in terms of airplay and her performance at the RoilBAAs left many asking who this magnet is. At the awards, she was also nominated for Outstanding Newcomer of the Year award.

Sweet Mobby

The talented dancer, DJ and singer (real name Moreblessing Khumalo) had a breakout year. Apart from performing in almost all of the online shows, she managed to stage her debut performance in South Africa where she left revellers in awe. The house and Gqom artiste also performed alongside Jah Signal in the neighbouring country.

A protégé of Cal Vin’s Kontrol Tribe, the 19-year-old R&B songstress Tadiwa Helen Nyati managed to claim a spot in the cut-throat industry. She is now preparing to launch her debut 10-track album next year titled Galaxy.