As October 10 draws near, anticipation is building for the annual Kadoma Music Festival at The Odyssey, with Zimdancehall pioneer Winky D and Jamaican dancehall icon Beenie Man headlining a star-studded lineup.
The festival will also feature Awilo Longomba, Alick Macheso, Jnr Spragga, Feli Nandi, Sulumani Chimbetu and Selmor Mtukudzi, among other acts.
With two dancehall heavyweights sharing the stage, speculation is already mounting over whether Winky D and Beenie Man could release a new collaboration ahead of the festival.
The possibility is not far-fetched. Ahead of last year’s edition, Winky D teamed up with Jamaican star Busy Signal on Drink Up, which was released on the eve of the festival and quickly became its unofficial anthem.
The song went on to dominate the airwaves and charts, demonstrating how a pre-festival collaboration can generate excitement around an event and turn a concert into a wider cultural moment.
Busy Signal previously explained that the song’s melody and message attracted him to the collaboration.
“It was the melody. I loved the melody, the lyrical content, and the message of getting problems away.”
A fresh collaboration between Winky D and Beenie Man would revive a partnership that dates back eight years. The pair previously worked together on My Woman, showcasing Winky D’s ability to hold his own alongside international dancehall stars.
Another release ahead of October 10 would strengthen the connection between Jamaican dancehall and Zimbabwean Zimdancehall while generating significant buzz around the festival.
For festival director and Odyssey proprietor Tich Mharadze, the prospect of another high-profile collaboration could provide an additional boost to ticket sales and anticipation.
Located along the Harare-Bulawayo highway, The Odyssey has helped position Kadoma as an increasingly important entertainment and domestic tourism destination. The annual festival draws music lovers from across the country, benefiting hotels, guest houses, restaurants and other businesses.
Its appeal lies partly in its diverse programming, bringing together Zimdancehall, Sungura, Afro-pop, Rhumba and Dendera on one stage.
By consistently pairing local stars with international acts — including Busy Signal, Diamond Platnumz, Awilo Longomba and Beenie Man — the festival has also strengthened Zimbabwe’s position on the touring circuit.
Whether or not a surprise collaboration emerges before October 10, Winky D and Beenie Man sharing the stage promises to be one of the festival’s biggest attractions.