Afro-acoustic outfit Gwevedzi Redefined is ready to spark a national awakening — through rhythm, tradition, and soul.
The band is gearing up for the release of their much-anticipated third album, “Hope,” on Friday, July 25, 2025, at Theatre in the Park — and fans are already buzzing.
The excitement doesn’t stop there. A follow-up live show is set for July 26 at the scenic Gava Restaurant, after which the group opens their calendar for bookings.
If there’s a soundtrack for dreaming again in Zimbabwe, this is it.
Titled “Hope” — an acronym for Hold On Pain Ends — the nine-track album is a stirring call for Zimbabweans to reclaim their dreams, ambitions, and identity.
It’s a message wrapped in traditional dance rhythms like shangara, dinhe, mhande, mbakumba, and amabhiza, making the music both reflective and electrifying.
“This album is about resetting the moral compass,” said producer Daves Guzha of Creative Native, a musical arm of Rooftop Promotions.
“We’re saying, ‘Aspire to inspire before you expire.’ We’ve normalized dysfunction — in leadership, society, even religion — and forgotten how to dream.
Through this music, we’re offering a reset. A way back.”
Recorded live at Theatre in the Park and mixed by Mbakie Muleya of Audio Academy, the album feels alive — full of percussion, vocal warmth, and a rawness that connects instantly.
Tracks to look out for include:
Kamwenje – A sharp critique of ego, greed, and jealousy
Rise – An anthem of perseverance and optimism
Zuva – A poetic reminder that the sun will rise again
Hi – A tender love song celebrating self-worth and connection
Harare – A rhythmic ode to the capital’s chaos and hustle, pulsing with layered percussion and deliberate “organized noise”
“We asked ourselves: how do we inspire again without preaching?” Guzha added. “Music used to unite us during liberation — it still can.”
What makes Gwevedzi Redefined stand out? It’s their innovative fusion of instruments — including the use of mortar and pestle in their percussion setup — and their powerful vocal harmonies.
The current lineup features:
Wilfred Nikisi (29) aka Dancing Strongs – Bass
LeeAnne “Matalamanda” Rukato (23) – Lead vocals & percussion
Tinashe Musangutsa (35) – Guitar
Joshua Msengezi (19) – Drums
Their name, Gwevedzi, is a Shona word meaning suitor, symbolizing the role of music in bringing people together — and they’ve certainly lived up to that purpose.
With past hits like “Vhunze,” “Daira Ndikuone,” and “Malaicha,” the group already has two solid albums — Tsambo and Nhungo — under their belt.
They’ve played everywhere from Mutare to Victoria Falls, lit up the Jacaranda and Amplifaya Festivals, and taken their sound as far as South Africa and Mozambique.
Now, with Hope, Gwevedzi Redefined isn’t just releasing an album — they’re launching a movement. One that calls Zimbabweans to reflect, reset, and rise.
If you’re tired of the same old mjolo-driven chart-toppers and craving something rooted, resonant, and real — this album is your next favorite listen.
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