Shebeen Fest Marks 1-Year Anniversary with Explosive “Super vs Nyathi” Edition

By Panashe Julian Chengeta

Harare, Zimbabwe – June 21, 2025 — What began as an underground gathering of artists, thrift vendors, and hip-hop heads has evolved into a cultural movement. This past Saturday, Shebeen Fest celebrated its one-year anniversary with a high-octane edition themed “Super vs Nyathi”, pitting two of Zimbabwe’s most beloved opaque beer brands against each other in spirit — not through beer sales, but through vibe, energy, and cultural allegiance.

Held at its spiritual home behind Moto Republik, the June edition transformed the venue into a dynamic open-air space filled with street food, art, fashion rails, laughter, and live performances that spoke to the pulse of urban Zimbabwe.

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DJs, Hosts & Vibes Before Sundown

The event kicked off with Shebeen Fest’s resident turntablist DJ Shumba, who set the tone with genre-hopping transitions that carried the early crowd through Afro-house, mbira remixes, and hip-hop deep cuts. DJ Krystal and DJ Smallz followed, each bringing their own sonic signature and keeping the courtyard energy simmering.

Hosting duties were taken up by the vibrant duo of JBoss and Kurry Suave, whose natural chemistry, crowd engagement, and cheeky Super vs Nyathi references had attendees in stitches and locked in from the first mic check to the last call.

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A Line-Up That Spoke Volumes

The artist line-up, known for blending fresh voices with established names, delivered one of Shebeen Fest’s most cohesive showcases to date.

Simms opened the stage with a mellow and heartfelt set that built the emotional foundation for the day. He was followed by Takunda, whose experimental sound and confident delivery confirmed his growing status in the alt-R&B lane.

Ckanyiso Dat Guy brought comedic energy, fusing rap with theatrical flair that had the crowd laughing while still vibing. Naishe K then flipped the switch with an amapiano-infused house set, her vocals riding the beat with grace and groove that got the courtyard dancing in sync.

As the afternoon matured, Saiiren, accompanied by Waheed on drums, took the stage with a performance that was both sonic and visual. Known for her ethereal voice and artistic presence, she also painted live during the show, blending performance with process in true Shebeen style.                                        

Bush Baby X pulled the crowd deeper into street folklore with a raw, spiritual performance channeling the sounds of Machemedze. His unapologetic delivery and grounded charisma made him one of the standout acts of the day.

In a moment of unfiltered creativity, ProBeatz and Blakk3st joined forces for a hybrid dancehall and beatboxing set that electrified the audience. The two fed off each other in a call-and-response dynamic that felt both rehearsed and spontaneous.

One of the most talked-about performances came from Bhanshee, who recently released two EPs and took full command of the stage with sharp lyricism, effortless swagger, and visible gratitude. Her set was a declaration: She is not rising — she’s here.

The festival’s founding crew, affectionately known as The Shebeen Boys including Dough Major, Dingo Duke, Dilly1buck, and Ndonzi Beatx — gave a performance that felt more like a ritual than a show. From Ndonzi’s intro to Dilly1buck’s unreleased gem featuring Boy Tricky, the crowd didn’t just listen — they carried him on their shoulders like a championship coach. This was family business.

Wes brought raw energy and a crowd-surfing stage presence that blurred the line between punk and hip-hop. When he jumped on stage, the audience surged forward in a frenzy, fully surrendering to the moment.

Toward the end of the night, Raykaz, supported by his brothers VR4T, Lucretius, and Fuse, capped things off with a high-energy set that showcased lyrical prowess and crew unity. Their chemistry was undeniable, and their hunger was audible in every verse.

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Vendors, Influencers & the Culture Economy

Beyond the music, Shebeen Fest’s anniversary edition stayed true to its mission of creating a full-spectrum cultural experience. Vendors sold everything from street eats to zines, art, and DIY fashion. Saiiren’s live painting drew a crowd of its own, while Taks the Designer displayed his original threads on rails, giving the event that distinct fashion-thrift flavor.

Influencers showed up too. Malume Blackman, known as Mr. Nyathi, repped his camp loud and proud. Super Muno was spotted dancing mid-crowd, sparking impromptu Super vs Nyathi debates that played out in good fun and creative rivalry.

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A Movement, Not Just a Moment

The spirit of Shebeen Fest has always been more than entertainment. It’s about reclaiming urban space, documenting the present, and making culture from the bottom up. What began as an experimental gathering has now become a platform where music, fashion, food, and community intersect unapologetically.

As Shebeen Fest enters its second year, one thing is clear: the streets are watching, listening, and showing up — in Super or Nyathi colors — to celebrate us, by us, for us.

images @casualsmoke/ @hiphopgazine @shebeenfestzw @munyabloggo