Winky D Opens Up About His Journey, Emotional Scars And The Secret To His Zimdancehall Longevity!
Original Piece By: Stanley Kilonzo (Deeds Magazine) | Adapted For: Sona Headlines | 7 min read
What does it mean to speak to a continent through music while remaining rooted in the experiences of one country? The answer can best be experienced through the lens of Winky D’s latest album, TÊTE-À-TÊTE (HELLO AFRICA).
Born Wallace Chirumiko and emerging from Kambuzuma, Harare, Winky D became one of the defining voices of Zimdancehall, helping shape a genre that took inspiration from Jamaica’s Dancehall tradition and made it speak to Zimbabwean realities. Two decades into his journey, he occupies a distinctive position: influential enough to have shaped the culture, yet still actively testing what his music can do.
Reshaping a Caribbean Sound
Winky D's emergence in 2004 coincided with Zimdancehall developing its own identity. It was a time of taking a global Jamaican sound and making it profoundly local.
"Reggae and dancehall offered a language for struggle, confidence, humour and celebration. Growing up in Kambuzuma, I could recognise those things around me. The opportunity was to make music in which someone from our neighbourhoods could hear their own life."
— Winky D
The Cultural Shift
A sound travels with its history, but in Zimbabwe, it encountered Shona, local street expressions, and unique ways of finding humour in difficulty. Winky D notes that a genre truly takes root when "its phrases enter everyday conversation."
When asked about the artists who followed him—like Killer T, Soul Jah Love, and Enzo Ishall—Winky D respects their unique contributions. "I admire their willingness to bring their own voices... Each artist contributes a particular language and perspective."
The Man Behind the Music
One of the most striking things about Winky D’s career is how deliberately private he has remained while being one of Zimbabwe’s most recognizable artists. He rarely engages in social media drama, using his platforms strictly with purpose.
Longevity in a Fickle Industry
Surviving over two decades in music requires more than just talent; it requires a willingness to evolve and a profound respect for the audience. Winky D has consistently pushed the boundaries of what Zimdancehall can achieve musically and thematically.
"Longevity means walking a journey whilst sustaining a relationship of trust. Every generation of listeners brings different experiences, and you must remain attentive to those changes. One lesson has been that I can evolve without losing the foundation of the music."— Winky D
The Legacy of The Gafa
This piece was adapted from an original interview by Stanley Kilonzo for Deeds Magazine.
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