Shone Makes History, Blends Tradition and Trap to Elevate Zimbabwean Hip-Hop

Zimbabwean hip-hop artist Shone blends traditional sounds with modern trap, achieving global milestones and redefining Zimbabwe’s presence on the international music stage (image source)

HARARE — Renowned hip-hop artiste Shone Panashe Quongo, known simply as Shone, has emerged as one of Zimbabwe’s most influential musical voices, fusing traditional sounds with contemporary trap to push the country’s music onto global stages.

Shone recently became the first Zimbabwean musician to perform before more than 500,000 people a milestone he describes as both humbling and affirming. The performance, he says, validated years of work and signalled Zimbabwe’s growing presence on the international music map. “Standing before that crowd was overwhelming. It showed me that our stories matter and that Zimbabwean music can hold its own anywhere,” Shone told the Southerton Business Times in an exclusive interview.

The artist credits local legends Oliver Mtukudzi and Thomas Mapfumo for shaping his musical foundation. Their influence, he says, taught him how to weave storytelling and cultural memory into modern forms. Shone’s pathway into music began in secondary school, when hip-hop offered a platform to narrate everyday struggles and triumphs. He recalls growing up amid diverse sounds that informed his approach: “Hip-hop gave me a voice to speak about real life love, pain, resilience. That’s what I try to keep in my music.”

His latest EP, Love & Trap, explores that balance. The project contrasts the harsh realities of trap culture with the sustaining power of love romantic, familial and self-love and pairs vulnerable lyrics with hard-hitting production. The result, Shone says, is music that resonates with listeners navigating complex social realities.

A career highlight came when Shone shared a stage with global act Coldplay during the band’s Music of the Spheres World Tour. The experience, he said, offered lessons in professionalism and crowd engagement. “Performing with Coldplay was surreal. Their energy is contagious… I learned so much about stage presence and crowd interaction,” he said.

Shone is deliberate about rooting his sound in Zimbabwean culture. He incorporates instruments such as the mbira and marimba, and uses local vernacular and storytelling to reflect history, unity and resilience. That fusion, he believes, honours heritage while allowing the genre to evolve.

Locally, headlining Shoko Fest remains one of his most memorable moments, a performance marked by electric energy and overwhelming support. Yet Shone is candid about the obstacles facing Zimbabwean musicians: limited infrastructure, scarce exposure and the business challenges of turning art into sustainable careers.

“My advice is to stay true to yourself and never stop learning,” he said. “The industry can be tough, but persistence, passion and originality go a long way. Learn the business side of music marketing, branding and audience engagement are as important as the art.”

As Shone continues to build his profile at home and abroad, his trajectory points to a broader shift: Zimbabwean artists are increasingly blending tradition with global sounds and demanding a seat at international stages. For Shone, that is only the beginning. Listen To Shone's EP, Love & Trap On Youtube:

Stream The EP on Spotify:

Or On Apple Music: