Winky D and Zimfest score IRAWMA nominations

Zimbabwean dancehall's global reach just got a major stamp of recognition with two IRAWMA nominations landing in the same awards cycle.

Winky D's fifth IRAWMA nomination

• Winky D is up for Best African Dancehall Entertainer at the 43rd annual IRAWMA.
• This marks the fifth time the Zimdancehall pioneer has been nominated on the platform.
• Past wins already have him in a strong position heading into the vote.
• Competitors include Uganda's Cindy Sanyu, Ghana's Shatta Wale, and Nigeria's Timaya.

Zimfest is in the running for Concert of the Year

• The UK-based Zimbabwean music festival Zimfest is nominated for the Concert of the Year (One Day) Award.
• Miami's Best of the Best and Jamaica's Intimate Jamaica Concert are among the competing events.
• Zimfest's 2025 edition caught the attention of Jermaine Young-Bushay, founder of Caribbeans Connects.
• Young-Bushay said the bass and crowd energy revealed a strong cultural overlap with Jamaican dancehall.

The cultural connection Young-Bushay spotted

• Shona lyrics didn't stop him from clocking the dancehall similarities immediately.
• Artists like Winky D and Jah Hanief drove that cross-cultural recognition home for him.

IRAWMA 2026 key details

• The 43rd edition carries the theme Jamaica Rise, saluting Hurricane Melissa relief efforts.
• Hon. Justice Shelvin L.M. Hall is being honored as the award's dedication this year.
• Fan voting runs until midnight on May 5, 2026.
• Winners get announced on May 17, 2026, at LPAC.