The Star FM Listener's Choice Awards, with the theme "It's All About the Artist", took place on May 3rd, 2023. The annual event, established in 2019, recognizes exceptional Zimbabwean musicians on Star FM and is broadcasted live on Facebook.
Steve Vickers, the Head of Programming at Star FM, highlighted the station's commitment to recognizing and rewarding the station's local artists. "We want to honour and reward our local artists, who are the stars of Star FM. We will also create a unique and exciting experience for our listeners, with live performances from the nominees."
Leo Magozz, Takura, and Quonfuzed emerged as the leading nominees, each receiving four nominations. Freeman, Leo Magozz, and Feli Nandi were among the top winners of the 5th edition of the Star FM Listener's Choice Awards.
Freeman HKD, for instance, won the Best Male Artist, Best Album, and Best ZimDancehall categories, expressing his appreciation to the fans, producers, featured artists, and team in an Instagram post. "Thank you ma Gallis, The Star FM listeners awards are awarded by you the fans!! I’d like to appreciate all of you, for continuing to vote and request my songs on air!!! Thank you to all the producers, featured artists and my team as a whole for all the blessings."
In accepting the Best Female Artist and Best Alternative awards, Feli Nandi took the time to thank the listeners for their continued support, acknowledging that it was their votes that brought the awards home. "Thank you for taking the time to listen and to appreciate our music. Your votes brought these home." she said.
Zimbabwe Star FM Listener's Choice Awards 2023 Winners: Full List
BEST HIP HOP SONG
Leo Magozz – Fire Emoji [Winner]
Mile – Rasta
Holy Ten – Mbuya Vana Munya
Voltz JT – Shamwari Yangu
Saintfloew – Silas Mavende
BEST R&B SONG
Takura – Haarore [Winner]
Kae Chaps – Gehena
Nyasha – David Ikoko
Innomuno – Good Intentions
Trevor Dongo – Love story
BEST NEWCOMER
Saintfloew – Silas Mavende [Winner]
Annatoria – Stay With Me
Mugaratia – Ndeyekwavo
Andrea The Vocalist – Uhambo
Cleo Arie – Jah Bless
BEST HOUSE/AMAPIANO
Shasha – Ungowami [Winner]
Roki – Moto
Chengeto Brown – Love You More
Nox – Stay With Me
Valee Music – Mali
BEST ZIM IN DIASPORA
Quonfuzed – Kamunamato Kekubhawa [Winner]
Sha Sha – Ungowami
Valee Music – Mali
Charlie Kay – Solo
Innomuno – Good Intentions
BEST PRODUCER
Nicky Genius – Lola [Winner]
Vincent Goodbeats – Fire Emoji
Chiweddar – Gogoride
Nigel Nyangombe – Tangai Neni
Spirit Fingerz – Team Hombe
BEST GOSPEL SONG
Janet Manyowa – Vaudze
Minister Michael Mahendere – Tangai Neni [Winner]
Andre The Vocalist – Uhambo
Everton Mlalazi – Ndokutevera
Mambo Dhutere – Datan NaKora
BEST DUO OR GROUP
Fusion 5 – Maria
The Vine – Imbirai Jehovah
The Unveiled – Hold On
Zimpraise – Ndiri Mweya [Winner]
Purple Pride – Musandikanganwe
BEST ZIMDANCEHALL SONG
Enzo Ishall – Ahoyi
Freeman – Vakomana Ve Drip [Winner]
Quonfuzed – Kamunamato Kekubhawa
Nutty O – Shoulder
Tocky Vibes – Chama
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Freeman – David and Goliath [Winner]
Feli Nandi – Izwi
Minister Michael Mahendere – Getting Personal With God
Voltz JT – Life of Muvhimi
Baba Harare – Zimbabwean Giant
BEST FEMALE ARTIST
Feli Nandi [Winner]
Sha Sha
Janet Manyowa
Valee Music
Dorcas Moyo
BEST ALTERNATIVE
Feli Nandi – Ndoona Iwe [Winner]
Jah Prayzah – Ticheneke
Mwenje Mathole – Shasha
Mary Anibal – Gogoride
Fusion 5 Mangwiro – Maria
BEST COLLABORATION
Ishan and Annatoria – Lola
Leo Magozz and Friends – Fire Emoji [Winner]
Tamy Moyo and Soul Jah Love – Rudo
Quonfuzed and Bazookah – Kamunamato
Nyasha David and Takura – Ikoko
BEST MALE ARTIST
Freeman [Winner]
Takura
Kae Chaps
Leo Magozz
Holy Ten
SONG OF THE YEAR
Leo Magozz – Fire Emoji [Winner]
Takura – Haarore
Ishan Feat Annatoria – Lola
Quonfuzed – Kamunamato Kekbhawa
Saintfloew – Silas Mavende
BEST AFRICAN POP
Ishan feat Annatoria – Lola [Winner]
ExQ - Paya Paya
I Am King – Vibration
Gemma – Ava
Poptain – Team Hombe
BEST SUNGURA ARTIST
Alick Macheso – Tinosvitswa Nashe [Winner]
Mark Ngwazi - Nharo Nezvinenharo
Sam Sando Hombe – Kukwatidza Gwati
Simon Mutambi – Uchatura Zvese
Romeo Gasa – Phone YaBaba Imhiripiri