The Awards
Categories
Competitive categories are published annually. ZHHA reserves the right to introduce, merge, suspend or retire categories based on industry developments.
25 awards
Judged categories
Decided by the independent judging panel using the ZHHA scoring matrix.
Best Male
JudgedThe outstanding male hip hop artist of the entry period.
Best Female
JudgedThe outstanding female hip hop artist of the entry period.
Best Collaboration
JudgedThe strongest joint record between two or more artists.
Best Hip Hop Group
JudgedExcellence from a duo, crew or collective.
Best Producer
JudgedThe producer whose body of work shaped the sound of the year.
Best Newcomer
JudgedThe breakout artist making their mark for the first time.
Best Brand Supporting Hip Hop
JudgedA brand that has meaningfully invested in the culture.
Best Album
JudgedThe finest full-length body of work released in the entry period.
Best Promoter
JudgedThe promoter driving live hip hop forward.
Best Diaspora
JudgedZimbabwean hip hop excellence beyond our borders.
Best Dance Act
JudgedMovement, choreography and performance within the culture.
Best Radio DJ
JudgedThe radio voice championing Zimbabwean hip hop.
Best Club and Event DJ
JudgedThe DJ commanding the club and festival circuit.
Best Gospel Act
JudgedFaith-driven hip hop at its highest standard.
Best Underground
JudgedRaw, independent excellence away from the mainstream.
Best Alternative
JudgedGenre-bending work that expands what hip hop can be.
Planet Dodger Online Media
JudgedThe digital platform serving the culture best.
Best Journalist
JudgedReporting and criticism that moves the industry forward.
Best Video
JudgedThe most compelling music video of the entry period.
Best Video Director of the Year
JudgedThe director behind the year's strongest visuals.
Best Live Act
JudgedCommand of the stage, crowd and performance craft.
Best Hip Hop Hustle
JudgedEntrepreneurship and enterprise built around the culture.
Best Hip Hop Verse — Sweet 16
JudgedSixteen bars that stopped everyone in their tracks.
Spoken Word (Poetry)
JudgedExcellence in spoken word and performance poetry.
Positive Social Impact Award
JudgedUsing the platform to create real community change.
3 awards
Fan-voted categories
Decided entirely by public voting, subject to independent audit.
Song of the Year
Fan VotedThe record that defined the entry period.
Hip Hop Personality of the Year
Fan VotedThe figure who shaped the conversation this year.
People's Choice
Fan VotedDecided entirely by the fans.
1 awards
Honorary awards
Conferred by the ZHHA Executive Committee — not open to public nomination.
Lifetime Achievement
HonoraryAwarded by the ZHHA Executive Committee for a career of service to the culture.
Rule book §11
Further honorary awards
ZHHA may also confer the following honours at the discretion of the Executive Committee.
