ZIMSPHERE
The Hot100 Zimbabwe has entered its first chart week of 2026, and shifts tracking movement, momentum, and emerging listening patterns across the country are now surfacing. While this week's rankings mark the first Hot100 Zimbabwe chart of 2026 (Week 1 January 2026), this is the second official chart week since the platform's launch, following the inaugural rankings compiled from Week 4 December 2025 data. This established the baseline from which week-on-week movement is now measured.
Published weekly, the Hot100 Zimbabwe ranks the Top 100 most consumed songs in the country using aggregated digital consumption data drawn from major platforms actively used in Zimbabwe.
At the summit of the chart, the key themes prevailing are continuity and challenge. At number one is Jah Prayzah's Ruzhowa, which has retained its position for a second consecutive week. Ruzhowa sits in a strengthened position, an attestation of how it is the most consistently engaged-with song during the current chart window. Its position is a signifier of broad-based listener commitment rather than ephemeral interest.
In general, the top four remains unchanged from last week. Positions two to four are occupied by Mr Attention's Handinyore, Nutty O's Too Much, and Enzo Ishall's Chibatamabvi (feat. Oskid). Some slight positional shifts in the top 10 come from Nashie Zim's Kunge Redhiyo, which climbed two places up to sit in fifth position; Raymar's Kapoto rose three places into seventh; Hulengende's Hovo Mupovo dropped two places to eighth; and Master H's Wakaluza is no longer in the top 10. Marginal changes in weekly engagement are meaningfully altering rankings at the top end of the chart.
The chart also sees huge shifts in upward trajectory, indicating organic growth. Makoti by Atenda Chinx rose 35 places to settle at 10th, and Muganhu by Holy Ten featuring Michael Magz climbed 27 places to occupy the 15th position. These songs are December releases, and their upward shifts point to repeated listening and widening discovery rather than sudden week-long spikes.
Other big climbs include Messiah by Minister Mahendere, which climbed an impressive 64 places to sit at number 35; Siya by Winky D, which rose 15 places to be at 57th; Huya Mweya Mutsvene by The Unveiled, which jumped 24 places to 76th; and Ndipeiwo by Vegah Milanoh which rose 49 places to 80th position.
This week offers an interesting array of new entries, proffering insight into what's starting to break through. Takura's Vendor, featuring Calvin Mangena, broke into the top 10 as a new entry, debuting at number 6.
Other new entries include Hauchada by Nisha Ts featuring Ninety6 (number 30), Ndinoda Iwewe by Blessing Jeduthun (number 67), Takayedza (Jeso Anogona) by Joyfull Praise Choir (number 68), and Mamvemve by Shane featuring Chillmaster. The new entries offer the earliest sign of potential future movement as awareness builds.
Interestingly, Simon Chimbetu's Tenda is a new entry sitting at 73rd position, and Gore Remix by Zim Celebs featuring various is also a new entry at 95th, showing how Zimbabweans were immersed in the festive mood and readying for the new year–hence the uptick in how these songs are being streamed, as they both talk about the new year and the attendant forward-looking themes.
We are also starting to see the tracks exhibiting noticeable staying power. Tracks such as Falling in Love - Freeman featuring Atenda Chinx, Bhiya - Killer T featuring Xiba, Door Ratovharwa - Donator Calvins, Mazambara - Prince Chigwida, and How Far - Jnr Spragga remain firmly placed in the top 40, suggesting continued listener interest rather than evanescent attention. Repeated presence is a sign of long-term impact.
Taken together, the second weekly chart release of the Hot100 Zimbabwe points to a listening public that is responsive and dynamic. The data suggests no singular dominant sound, but rather a landscape where different genres and artist profiles are drawing attention simultaneously, often across different platforms. There is an enviable coexistence of multiple genres in Zimbabwe. As additional weeks of data accumulate, these early signals will continue sharpen into clearer trends.
The full Hot100 Zimbabwe chart is available at zimbabwehot100.co.zw.
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