- The 24th National Arts Merit Awards (NAMA) in Zimbabwe have been overshadowed by a raging intellectual property (IP) rights controversy.
- Prominent artistes are accusing organisers and peers of sidelining original creators during high-profile performances.
- Hip-hop artiste Stunner launched a scathing social media attack after BaShupi performed his hit song ‘Godo’ without consultation or credit.
- Gary Tight condemned Dino Mudondo and NAMA for excluding his late father Willom Tight’s legacy from a performance of their collaborative classic ‘Chirangano Chedu’.
The glitter of Zimbabwe’s National Arts Merit Awards has quickly faded, replaced by a heated national debate surrounding intellectual property rights within the music industry. The controversy erupted following several performances at the recent weekend event at the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC), where original creators claim their contributions were overlooked or uncredited. Social media has become the primary battleground, amplifying the voices of disgruntled artists and sparking widespread discussion among fans and industry stakeholders.
The core of the dispute revolves around the ethics of collaboration and performance rights, particularly when featured artists’ contributions are integral to a song’s identity. While NAMA organisers have yet to issue a comprehensive response, the incident underscores a long-standing tension within the industry regarding fair recognition and compensation for creative work. This firestorm is prompting a critical re-evaluation of how artistic ownership is respected and managed on national platforms.
Timeline
- **March 3, 2026:** Zimbabwean hip-hop artist Stunner posts a viral social media message, criticising NAMA for allowing BaShupi to perform his song ‘Godo’ without credit or consultation.
- **March 3, 2026:** Gary Tight publicly criticises Dino Mudondo and NAMA for excluding his late father Willom Tight’s legacy during a performance of ‘Chirangano Chedu’.
- **March 3, 2026:** Dino Mudondo responds, asserting sole ownership of ‘Chirangano’ despite collaborative history, intensifying the debate.
Key Players
- **Stunner:** Hip-hop artiste who initiated the social media outcry.
- **BaShupi:** Artiste who performed ‘Godo’ at NAMA, sparking Stunner’s criticism.
- **Gary Tight:** Son of late sungura legend Willom Tight, who criticised NAMA and Dino Mudondo.
- **Dino Mudondo:** Artiste involved in the ‘Chirangano Chedu’ dispute, claiming sole ownership.
- **NAMA Organisers:** The National Arts Merit Awards organisers, facing scrutiny over their vetting process and handling of IP rights.
