- Controversy erupted at the 24th National Arts Merit Awards (NAMA) in Harare over intellectual property (IP) rights.
- Hip-hop artist Stunner accused fellow artist BaShupi of performing his hit song “Godo” without consultation or credit at the NAMA event.
- Gary Tight condemned Dino Mudondo and NAMA organizers for allegedly excluding his late father Willom Tight’s legacy during a performance of their collaborative song “Chirangano Chedu.”
- The incidents have sparked a national debate on collaboration ethics and respect for artistic ownership in Zimbabwe’s music industry.
The glitter of the NAMA ceremony was overshadowed by a heated dispute concerning artists’ performance rights and acknowledgment. Stunner’s viral social media post launched a scathing attack after witnessing BaShupi perform his song “Godo” without permission. He questioned the awards’ oversight and emphasized the need for respect for intellectual property on national platforms, distinguishing national events from casual club gigs.
Parallel accusations by Gary Tight further intensified the controversy, bringing to light complex issues surrounding collaborative works and proper credit. Tight insisted that his late father Willom Tight’s contribution to “Chirangano Chedu” demanded acknowledgment. Dino Mudondo, however, asserted sole ownership, stating he featured three artists and could perform it alone, raising critical questions about erasing collaborative history on national stages.
NAMA organizers have yet to clarify their vetting process for musical performances, fueling public scrutiny and demands for transparency from the music community and fans alike.
Timeline
- March 3, 2026: The 24th National Arts Merit Awards (NAMA) ceremony is held at the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC).
- March 3, 2026: Hip-hop artist Stunner posts a viral social media attack after BaShupi performs his song “Godo” without credit at NAMA.
- March 3, 2026: Gary Tight publicly criticizes Dino Mudondo and NAMA for excluding his father Willom Tight’s legacy during a performance.
Key Players
- Stunner: Zimbabwean hip-hop artist, initiated the viral controversy over IP rights.
- BaShupi: Artist accused by Stunner of performing “Godo” without permission.
- Gary Tight: Son of late sungura legend Willom Tight, condemned NAMA and Dino Mudondo for exclusion.
- Dino Mudondo: Artist who performed “Chirangano Chedu,” asserting sole ownership.
- NAMA Organisers: Under scrutiny for their handling of performance rights and artist acknowledgments.
