Towards Success or Precarity? The Tenuous Future of Zimdancehall as a Cultural Movement

In this brief conclusion chapter, I offer a music critic and writer’s sentiments concerning the future prospects of Zimdancehall as both a movement and genre. I argue that the verve with which the movement started has dissipated, and many other genres like Zim Hip Hop have gained currency, especially after the Covid-19 disturbances which saw artistes not holding shows for more than a year. Without performance, without the dance hall, Zimdancehall music suffered. At the same time, political appropriation has seen artistes opting for commercial successes at the expense of revolutionary potential. I see the future of Zimdancehall as connected to more innovation from Zimdancehall artistes. Beyond that, I argue, artistes need to resist the lure of politicians’ money and continue with the revolutionary focus that made Zimdancehall a relevant vehicle for the expression of ghetto people’s consciousness, hopes and aspirations.