NEXUS · 2026
ZIMHIPHOP AWARDS
Where Legacy Meets the Future.
Africa is the world of expression, colour, adventure, music and warmth — the cradle of hip hop. The future of hip hop is young and African. Since 2011 the Zim Hip Hop Awards have celebrated excellence, nurtured talent and carried Zimbabwean hip hop onto regional and global stages.
Nominations open 21 September 2026
Voting is not open yet
The Institution
Zimbabwe's leading hip hop platform
The Zimbabwe Hip Hop Awards (ZHHA) is the nation's leading institution dedicated to celebrating excellence, fostering innovation, and driving the sustainable growth of Zimbabwe's hip hop industry.
Since its establishment in 2011, ZHHA has evolved into far more than an annual awards ceremony — it is a respected cultural platform that champions artistic excellence, empowers emerging and established creatives, and connects the music industry with brands, corporate partners, policymakers and audiences.
Through strategic partnerships, impactful community initiatives and year-round promotional campaigns, ZHHA is committed to building a vibrant creative economy and amplifying Zimbabwean talent on regional and global stages.
2011
Established
Africa's first hip hop awards platform.
29
Categories
Judged, fan-voted and honorary awards.
16+
Years
Connecting artists, brands and communities.
100%
Independent
Confidential, audited judging and voting.
The Awards
Categories
From Best Male and Best Album to fan-voted honours — every corner of the culture is recognised.
Best Male
The outstanding male hip hop artist of the entry period.
Best Female
The outstanding female hip hop artist of the entry period.
Best Collaboration
The strongest joint record between two or more artists.
Best Hip Hop Group
Excellence from a duo, crew or collective.
Best Producer
The producer whose body of work shaped the sound of the year.
Best Newcomer
The breakout artist making their mark for the first time.
Best Brand Supporting Hip Hop
A brand that has meaningfully invested in the culture.
Best Album
The finest full-length body of work released in the entry period.
Nominations open 21 September 2026
Opens in
00
Days
00
Hrs
00
Min
00
Sec
Nominations
Entries may be submitted by artists, managers, labels, distributors, producers or authorised representatives. All work must have been commercially released between 1 November 2025 and 31 October 2026.
View requirementsVoting is not open yet
Public Voting
Only designated fan-voted categories are decided by the public. One vote per person per category. ZHHA reserves the right to appoint an independent auditor to verify results.
View voting categoriesRelive it
Highlight reels & cyphers
Performances, acceptance speeches, red-carpet moments and the ZHHA cypher — the year's defining verses in one place.
Official Merch
Wear the culture
The NEXUS 2026 collection — tees and caps carrying the Ndebele ring, the trophy and the year that Zimbabwean hip hop connects its legacy to its future.
Partnerships
Shape the future of Zimbabwean hip hop
For more than 16 years we have connected artists, brands, media and communities through impactful events, creative programming and strategic partnerships. Join us.
