Sane Wav's 2025: The year confidence, sound, and vision finally aligned

TAKUDZWA HILLARY CHIWANZA

Taking the industry by storm is a phrase that may happen to be cliche in describing the phenomenal run that Zim Hip Hop artist Sane Wav enjoyed this year. Sure, if you are asked to give an account of how Sane Wav sprung into the limelight, you might indeed say he took the industry by storm. Justifiably so. For before Bhimu came out, not many cared enough to lend their attention to this awe-inspiring artist and what he had to offer. But therein lies the real thing: here is an artist who was resolutely confident in his sound such that he firmly knew in the untouched crevices of his heart that it was only a matter of time before his name would become a permanent fixture in national conversations regarding who the best artist in hip-hop circles is. So the fact that the breakout came in 2025 is not one that caught Sane Wav by surprise, unwary of the big moments that would gratuitously come his way. No. The breakout was a result of a confident approach to style and music that, in the grand scheme of things, had to bear fruit. One way or another.

So yes, 2025 was such a momentous year for Sane Wav, building on the work he was putting out in 2023 and 2024. His was a big cultural shift for the game, with a slew of hits that were pointedly intentional. The release of the video for Bhimu in February 2025 changed the trajectory of the young artist for the better. In ways that no one had anticipated. Here was something entirely new, yet not deviating from the coolness that makes hip-hop a quintessential genre. And who does not admire novelty in a music industry inundated with a knack for redundancy at times? The video had been teased for some months, and when it dropped, it was the singular piece of art in Zimbabwe’s rap sphere that was on everyone’s lips. Topical indeed.

‘Who’s this new kid on the block?’ seemed to be everyone’s question. Immediately after the release of that video, conversations of Sane being the best newcomer of the year started floating around. His superpowers and novelty were unleashed into the world there and then for all and sundry to bear witness.

Sane knew the moment was just around the corner. “2025 was a crazy year, but I wouldn’t say I wasn’t expecting the motion because the squad been working for the longest,” Sane revealed to this author. “I’d like to thank everyone who tapped into the Wav. It was a great year, the projectile went up,” he added.

And sure, the projectile skyrocketed. For who could resist his confident cadence, easily quotable lyrics, and marked social commentary punctuated with healthy doses of comic relief? Who could not fall in love with his irresistible aura and chic approach to style? Who could resist the new lingo “Maniggaland”? This is the package that Sane Wav was delivering to the game, and he has stayed consistent in that lane ever since.

Fully understanding the task at hand, he doubled down. Just as listeners were starting to get a grasp of the anatomy of his sound, he kept the space amply furnished with new releases that were accompanied by stunning visuals. And so we had Murungu, Bag RaMaloti, Madzimai, and Iyahoo – the latter solidifying his intention towards permanence in the game. There were some remarkable singles too that did not have visuals – Paniki, Billabong (featuring Kayflow), and the latest one, Shebeti featuring Bling4. The last one is pretty much interesting because it shows just how much a strong year 2025 was for Sane. He has had collaborations with noteworthy actors in the game: Voltz JT, Kayflow, Learn Shona, Saint Floew, and Bling4.

But perhaps what makes Sane Wav a unique artist, the one thing that makes him distinct from other new acts dominating rap discourse, is the fact that he is such an exquisite producer. He produces his own tracks under the tag ‘Usadaro’. It makes his sound wholesome, because he has an acute understanding of the sonic he intends to bring into the world and he executes that with a precision you won’t find anywhere else. Sure, there are many rapper-producers out there who are equally competent when compared with Sane. But Sane does it differently. And that factor has immensely contributed to the awesome year he has had. A year that was capped by him winning the Best Hip Hop Personality and Best Newcomer awards at the 2025 Zim Hip Hop Awards. He has proved very capable at live performances too, staging some of the biggest platforms in Zimbabwe, with the foremost being Shoko Festival in September and Unplugged in December. A phenomenal year beyond any inkling of doubt.

Affirming how huge of a year 2025 was for him, Sane had this to say: “My biggest highlights of 2025 were being nominated nine times for the Zim Hip Hop Awards and winning two; being on the Unplugged Zimbabwe stage and most big stages throughout 2025; and the breakthrough hit Bhimu in February 2025.” Owning his successes.

Speaking about the mindset he approached 2025 with, Sane remarked: “The 2025 Sane Wav did not owe anyone anything nor did he take any chances not worthwhile; the 2026 Sane Wav is taking over and evolving into the best version of his artistry.” Well, those are the words of a champ. The words of someone who is intentional about his work, and knows what he wants to achieve. It then becomes interesting to know what he has in store for us in 2026, in terms of the evolution of his sound. “In 2026, people are going to fully understand the sound - where it comes from and where it’s headed. It’s supposed to be a journey where we move together as we grow Zimbabwean youth culture,” the Wav concluded.

As he looks back on a wonderful year, he also has set his sights on greater things. Sane Wav embodies the exuberance of urban youth culture and he is determined to be one of the vital cogs in the game pushing the art to new frontiers. (And I hope he is going to release the video for the Afrobeat song Lena.) But in all this, one thing is for certain: Sane Wav is here to stay. So in as far as he ‘took the industry by storm,’ his was a meticulous and confident approach, buoyed by the concerted efforts of a team that understands his vision through and through. There is no doubt he will steadfastly continue in such a right path.