The band emerged in the early 1980s, a time when Zimbabwe was forging its post-independence identity, and quickly established itself as one of the country’s most distinctive musical voices. Their sound — a vibrant fusion of reggae, traditional rhythms, brass arrangements, and mbira-inspired guitar — helped define what would become known as Chigiyo, a genre named after a traditional dance from the Chimanimani region. Formed in Kwekwe under the mentorship of Robson Kadenhe and led by guitarist Gil...
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The band emerged in the early 1980s, a time when Zimbabwe was forging its post-independence identity, and quickly established itself as one of the country’s most distinctive musical voices. Their sound — a vibrant fusion of reggae, traditional rhythms, brass arrangements, and mbira-inspired guitar — helped define what would become known as Chigiyo, a genre named after a traditional dance from the Chimanimani region. Formed in Kwekwe under the mentorship of Robson Kadenhe and led by guitarist Gilbert Zvamaida, the band crafted a bold, original style. With intricate guitar lines, infectious dance rhythms, and raw, soulful Shona vocals, they pushed beyond genre boundaries. While many contemporaries opted for commercially safer routes, Zig-Zag remained fiercely independent, committed to authenticity and innovation.
