ZIMBABWEAN R&B singer and songwriter Denzel Diesel is carving his own lane in the local music scene, driven by passion, vulnerability and a deep love for romance.
With a sound rooted in the golden era of R&B and a vision set on international stages, the rising artist is determined to make his mark while making women feel seen, valued, and beautiful through his music.
Describing himself as “an R&B singer and songwriter driven by passion, smoothness and vulnerability,” Diesel says his connection to music began in childhood.
“To be honest, since I was a child,” he said.
“The dream and vision have grown and evolved with me as well, but it’s always been in my soul.”
Like many artistes of his generation, Diesel drew inspiration from watching global stars on television, which helped him realise his calling.
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“I would watch international stars on TV as a child and knew that we had something in common, and I decided to pursue it,” he said.
His musical influences read like a hall of fame of R&B royalty, including Joe Thomas, Maxwell, Ginuwine, Trey Songz, Keith Sweat, Brandy, Aaliyah and Tank.
“I’m really inspired by 1990s R&B and even the early 2000s era. It speaks to me. When I work with producers of our time, I try to create a mixture of the emotions of the 1990s with the energy of the 2020s,” he explained.
Diesel describes his sound as “romantic and intimate”, built on sincere expression and emotional storytelling.
“My goal is to make women feel as beautiful as they already are and show them that as men, we appreciate them in every single way,” he said.
His songwriting often reflects personal experiences.
One of his most heartfelt songs, God She’s Gone, explores the pain of losing someone you deeply love.
“It’s about losing a woman you really love and asking God why He’d allow something so beautiful to turn into dust. People relate to the message. It’s really personal,” he said.
Diesel has performed at several high profile events, including fashion shows and award ceremonies, where he says he has learned to connect deeply with audiences.
One of his most memorable moments came during a performance at the Shebeen Fest hosted by Moto Republik.
“I was performing my love songs and all the ladies started screaming. I genuinely felt the love of the audience. It was quite gratifying,” he recalled.
Over the years, he has refined his stage presence.
“When I started, I used to sing at the people. But over time, I began to sing to the audience, and that made them appreciate me more.”
Beyond music, Diesel places strong emphasis on image and presentation.
“Fashion, grooming, and etiquette are part of my package. It helped me develop into a gentleman,” he said, describing his brand as “classy but fun”.
However, his journey has not been without challenges.
He cites gatekeeping as one of the biggest obstacles up-and-coming artistes face.
“But thank God for social media because it has created opportunities for creatives to reach the world in powerful ways,” he said.
Despite the hurdles, Diesel remains optimistic about the future of Zimbabwean R&B.
“I see it growing and expanding. Zimbabwean music is breaking out, and we are discovering our power. It’s amazing to witness.”
He is currently working on his debut project titled Moonlight, which he describes as an exciting new chapter in his career.
Diesel also expressed admiration for local R&B star Trevor Dongo, saying: “I love how he writes and his choice of melodies. It suits his voice very well.”
With dreams of becoming a global superstar, Diesel’s ambitions stretch far beyond Zimbabwe’s borders.
“My biggest dream is to be an international R&B superstar, to travel the world and go on tours. I believe it’s possible, despite all the hardships life has shown me.”
He leaves aspiring artistes and fans with a message of hope and faith: “Dreams are real. Nothing is a coincidence, and everything works for the greater good, even when it looks like it’s all falling apart.”
As he prepares to release Moonlight, Diesel represents a new wave of Zimbabwean R&B one rooted in timeless emotion, authenticity, and a belief that love, in all its forms, will always have a place in music.