HARARE – Zimbabwe’s most iconic urban culture festival, Shoko Festival, is turning 15—and it’s throwing the ultimate celebration to mark the milestone. Set for Friday, September 26th, 2025, at Harare Gardens, the highly anticipated Mash Up Nights event promises to fuse nostalgia with fresh sounds in a tribute to Zimbabwe’s vibrant urban music legacy.

Headlining the celebration is Take Fizzo, the legendary producer whose fingerprints are on some of the biggest hits in Zimbabwean music history. Famed for pioneering the country’s urban grooves sound and shaping a new era of hip-hop and R&B, Take Fizzo’s set is expected to be a time-travelling musical journey through the sounds that defined generations.

Joining him on stage will be urban grooves trailblazers Mafriq and Trinity, whose timeless tracks laid the foundations of Zimbabwe’s early 2000s sound. Their reunion under the Shoko lights will not only excite nostalgic fans but also introduce new audiences to the architects of modern Zimbabwean music.

“This is more than a show—it’s a celebration of legacy,” said Vera Chisvo, Shoko Festival Coordinator. “Take Fizzo represents an era that laid the foundation for Zimbabwe’s music industry. His performance is the perfect way to celebrate 15 years of Shoko’s commitment to promoting urban culture and hip-hop.”

This year’s festival theme, #TheLegacyXV, reflects that commitment—highlighting Shoko’s journey from grassroots movement to cultural institution, and its role in giving youth culture, spoken word, and alternative art a national platform.

Alongside the headline acts, the Mashoko Tapes music residency returns for its second edition. Known as the creative heartbeat of the festival, the initiative brings together a diverse group of artists to produce an original collaborative album. This year’s lineup is a bold mix of genres, backgrounds, and artistic voices, signalling a bright future for Zimbabwe’s music scene.

The 2025 Mashoko Tapes features Afro visionary Segulm, Bulawayo hip-hop force Briza, genre-bending artist Paintafresco, rising Harare rapper Yadis, and soulful RnB singer Enhle. Together, they’ll spend time in residence producing genre-crossing music that blends storytelling, rhythm, and identity—cementing Mashoko Tapes’ role as a catalyst for musical innovation and cross-genre collaboration.

The result will be a collection of tracks that capture the pulse of Zimbabwe’s evolving soundscape, balancing traditional influences with forward-looking artistry. It’s a concept that resonates with Shoko Festival’s mission: to foster creative unity, amplify unheard voices, and embrace change while celebrating roots.

As always, Shoko Festival is about more than just music. It’s a statement—a platform for free expression, alternative youth culture, and digital innovation, proudly driven by the Magamba Network, Africa’s trailblazing creative and media organisation. For 15 years, it has brought together artists, comedians, poets, and changemakers to celebrate urban expression in all its forms.

This year’s Mash Up Nights promises not just world-class performances but a full sensory experience with immersive lighting, live visuals, and a carefully curated atmosphere that honours Zimbabwe’s musical past while pushing toward its creative future.

Tickets are now available online at www.flippintickets.co.zw and physically at Moto Republik, located at 3 Allan Wilson Avenue, Harare. Early bird tickets for Mash Up Nights are priced at $10 (versus $15 at the gate), while Comedy Night tickets are going for $15 (compared to $20 on the day). For the best deal, fans can grab a combo ticket for both events at just $20 in advance.