Beenie Man to Perform in Zimbabwe for the Third Time at Kadoma Odyssey Festival

Jamaican Dancehall King Beenie Man Returns to Zimbabwe for the Third Time

Jamaican dancehall icon Beenie Man is set to make a massive return to Zimbabwe for the third time, headlining the highly anticipated fifth edition of the Kadoma Odyssey Festival.

Massive crowd at a lively music festival
A DANCEHALL HOMECOMING: The King of the Dancehall is heading to Kadoma, bringing with him a deep historical connection to Zimbabwe and its artists.

The festival, which has rapidly grown into one of the country's premier entertainment events, is pulling out all the stops this year. Joining the Jamaican superstar will be Congolese rhumba legend Awilo Longomba, alongside local heavyweights Alick Macheso and Winky D, promising an unforgettable fusion of dancehall, rhumba, and sungura.

The Event Kadoma Odyssey Festival (5th Edition)
International Headliners Beenie Man (Jamaica) & Awilo Longomba (DRC)
Local Legends Winky D & Alick Macheso
Rising Stars Jnr Spraga & Feli Nandi
Festival Director Prince Mharadze
Historical Note Beenie Man's 3rd performance in Zimbabwe (2010, 2017, 2026)

Bringing Back The King

Securing Beenie Man for the Kadoma Odyssey Festival was a deliberate move by the organizers to tap into a rich vein of nostalgia and mutual respect. Festival Director Prince Mharadze explained that the Jamaican star’s return was driven by his longstanding connection with Zimbabwe and his deep appreciation for the country’s music and people.

Focusing on the Fans "We always focus on the fans. We like to bring international artists who have a connection and appreciation for Zimbabwe, our music and our people," Mharadze stated.
Collaborative History "Beenie Man’s history of coming to Zimbabwe and already having collaborated with Zimbabwean artists is an exciting prospect for us," the director added, highlighting the ease of integrating him into a locally rich line-up.

A Continental and Local Feast

The fifth edition of the festival is not just relying on Dancehall to pull the crowds. The organizers have curated a diverse line-up designed to cater to multiple generations and tastes across the nation.

Awilo Longomba Brings Rhumba The legendary Congolese rhumba star will feature prominently. Mharadze noted: "Awilo Longomba is a very exciting part of the line-up given the love of rhumba music in Zimbabwe."
Winky D & Alick Macheso Both artists have featured in two previous editions. Praising the legends, Mharadze said: "Despite their years of service, they are always reinventing and redefining themselves with their creativity and electrifying performances. Expect magic."
The New Wave The festival will also provide a massive platform for emerging musicians. "This year we’ve seen the growth and rise of new stars in Zimbabwe such as Jnr Spraga and Feli Nandi," Mharadze emphasized.

Beenie Man's Zimbabwean History

Beenie Man is no stranger to the Zimbabwean stage, having previously delivered two highly memorable performances that cemented his status among local dancehall fans.

The 2010 Debut During his first visit, Beenie Man thrilled the crowd by performing three of his biggest international hits—"Girlz Dem Sugar", "Feel It Boy", and "Dude"—alongside local Urban Grooves star Cindy Munyavi.
The 2017 Return & Winky D Praise His second visit in 2017 became legendary when he shared the stage with Winky D. Impressed by the local star's commanding performance, Beenie Man famously declared to the crowd: "When Winky D was performing, I thought I was in Jamaica."

Sona Verdict: Kadoma Takes Center Stage

The announcement of Beenie Man and Awilo Longomba as headliners for the fifth edition of the Kadoma Odyssey Festival proves that Zimbabwe's entertainment epicenter is no longer exclusively confined to Harare or Bulawayo. The Odyssey in Kadoma has aggressively and successfully established itself as a premier destination for continental and global acts.

Beenie Man’s return is particularly nostalgic. His past interactions with Zimbabwean artists—from singing with Cindy Munyavi in 2010 to heavily endorsing Winky D in 2017—show an artist who respects the local culture rather than just viewing the country as a quick payday. By combining his dancehall legacy with Awilo Longomba’s infectious rhumba, and grounding the event with local heavyweights like Macheso and Winky D, the organizers have masterfully catered to almost every musical demographic in the country.

As Director Prince Mharadze promises, fans should indeed "expect magic." This line-up is set to make the fifth Kadoma Odyssey Festival one of the defining entertainment events of 2026.

Source: Sona Headlines Entertainment Desk

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