Draft:Enzo Ishall
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Comment: Some text here amounts to accusations, without being sourced. AI also appears to have been used to write this article. ChrysGalley (talk) 15:06, 26 February 2026 (UTC)
 | This article appears to incorporate text from a large language model, which is prohibited in Wikipedia articles. (July 2026) |
Enzo Ishall | |
|---|---|
| Born | Stephen Kudzanai Mamhare April 23, 1994 |
| Origin | Harare, Zimbabwe |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2018–present |
| Labels |
|
| Website | www |
Stephen Kudzanai Mamhare (born 23 April 1994), known by his stage name Enzo Ishall, is a Zimbabwean Zimdancehall musician and songwriter from Mabvuku, Harare. His 2018 single "Kanjiva" won the Outstanding Song award at the 2019 National Arts Merit Awards (NAMA).[1][2] At the 2024 NAMAs, he won both Outstanding Song (for "Raroorwa") and Outstanding Male Musician.[3][4]
Early life
[edit]Enzo Ishall was born on 23 April 1994 in Mabvuku, a high-density suburb of Harare.[5] He grew up near Mbare, where Chillspot Records is based, and has said he became interested in dancehall music at the age of six. He began writing songs while in primary school.[6]
Career
[edit]2018: Breakthrough
[edit]Enzo Ishall's first widely noticed song was "Chiita Kwacho" in 2018, produced at Chillspot Records in Mbare.[7] Later that year he released "Kanjiva," produced by DJ Tamuka and Levels on the Avion Tamulevel Riddim, which went viral on social media through an accompanying dance challenge.[7] The song topped the ZBC TV Coca-Cola Top 50 chart as Video of the Year.[8] At the 2019 NAMAs, "Kanjiva" won Outstanding Song of the Year.[1][2]
He released further singles through Chillspot Records in 2018 and 2019, including "Smart Rinotangira Kutsoka," "50 Magate," "Mhamha," and "Bhiza."[7] The Standard columnist Fred Zindi wrote that Enzo had "grown to be as big, if not bigger" than some established names in the genre by this period.[9]
2019–2020: Label changes
[edit]In September 2019, Enzo began working with clergyman Passion Java, who had reportedly paid R200,000 to Chillspot Records to take over his management.[10] The arrangement was short-lived. In January 2020, Java's spokesperson told Nehanda Radio they wanted compensation, stating they had purchased Enzo a car and paid his rent.[10]
That same month, Enzo signed a three-year deal with Teemak Promotions, led by Malaysian-based Zimbabwean promoter Taona Oswald Chipunza. At the signing press conference at Meikles Hotel, Enzo said there was no bad blood with Java and described his earlier support as charitable rather than contractual.[11] The deal was reported by NewZimbabwe.com as worth approximately US$100,000.[12]
Nehanda Radio reported that his comeback single "Urikutsvireiko" was well received by fans who saw it as a return to his earlier style.[13] In June 2021, Enzo confirmed on Power FM that his contract with Teemak had been mutually terminated.[8]
2021: Retirement and return
[edit]On 1 September 2021, Enzo announced his retirement from music and released the gospel track "Ehee" as a farewell single.[14] In an interview on Star FM, he spoke about personal struggles behind the stage persona.[9]
The retirement lasted about a month. On 11 October 2021, he released "Zuva Risingasvike," marking his return.[15] Writing in The Standard in January 2022, Fred Zindi noted that Enzo had continued performing at venues throughout the supposed retirement period and predicted he would not stay away permanently.[9]
2022–present
[edit]Enzo Ishall won Outstanding Song and Outstanding Male Musician at the 2024 NAMAs for "Raroorwa," making him the ceremony's biggest winner that year.[3][16] His music video for "Masahwira" was nominated for Outstanding Music Video at the 2025 NAMAs.[17]
Political activity
[edit]Enzo Ishall has performed at rallies held by ZANU-PF, Zimbabwe's ruling party. The Standard reported in February 2022 that the party was using Zimdancehall artists including Enzo, along with Chillspot Records producers DJ Fantan and Levels, to draw crowds to rallies.[18]
In March 2023, he stood as a candidate in ZANU-PF's primary elections for Sunningdale constituency in Harare, under his legal name. He received 7 votes out of 1,385 cast.[19]
Awards and nominations
[edit]| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Coca-Cola ZBC Top 50 Awards | Best Video | "Kanjiva" | Won |
| 2019 | NAMA | Outstanding Song | "Kanjiva" | Won |
| 2024 | NAMA | Outstanding Song | "Raroorwa" | Won |
| 2024 | NAMA | Outstanding Male Musician | — | Won |
| 2025 | NAMA | Outstanding Music Video | "Masahwira" | Nominated |
Selected discography
[edit]Compilations
[edit]- The Hits (2019)
Singles
[edit]- "Chiita Kwacho" (2018)
- "Kanjiva" (2018)
- "Smart Rinotangira Kutsoka" (2018)
- "50 Magate" (2019)
- "Mhamha" (2019)
- "Bhiza" (2019)
- "Urikutsvireiko" (2020)
- "Ehee" (2021)
- "Zuva Risingasvike" (2021)
- "Raroorwa" (2023)
- "Masahwira" (2024)
References
[edit]- 1 2 "Full list of NAMA 2019 winners". Nehanda Radio. 15 April 2019. Retrieved 26 February 2026.
- 1 2 "Thrills, spills, surprises at NAMA 2019". NewsDay. 15 April 2019. Retrieved 26 February 2026.
- 1 2 "Here is the winners list for the 2024 NAMA Awards". Enthuse Magazine. 27 February 2024. Retrieved 26 February 2026.
- ↑ "NACZ calls for Nama entries". NewsDay. Retrieved 26 February 2026.
- ↑ "7 Things You Didn't Know About Kanjiva Hitmaker Enzo Ishall". iHarare. 23 October 2018. Retrieved 26 February 2026.
- ↑ "Enzo Ishall real name, age, education, career, Networth". Southern African Celebs. 6 April 2023. Retrieved 26 February 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Lessons from Ishall's musical journey". The Standard. 26 January 2020. Retrieved 26 February 2026.
- 1 2 "Enzo Ishall". Pindula. Retrieved 26 February 2026.
- 1 2 3 "In the groove: Has Enzo Ishall rescinded his decision to quit?". The Standard. 30 January 2022. Retrieved 26 February 2026.
- 1 2 "Passion Java to sue Enzo Ishall". Nehanda Radio. 22 January 2020. Retrieved 26 February 2026.
- ↑ "Nothing happened between me and Java – Enzo". The Zimbabwe Daily. 23 January 2020. Retrieved 26 February 2026.
- ↑ "Enzo Ishall signs with Teemak Promotions... deal includes monthly allowances & upkeep". NewZimbabwe.com. 23 January 2020. Retrieved 26 February 2026.
- ↑ "Enzo Ishall reinvents himself after disastrous flirtation with Passion Java". Nehanda Radio. 5 February 2020. Retrieved 26 February 2026.
- ↑ "Enzo Ishall Quits Music, Drops Last Track". NewZimbabwe.com. 1 September 2021. Retrieved 26 February 2026.
- ↑ "Enzo Ishall Bounces Back From His Mini Retirement, Releases A New Track To Mark His Return". iHarare. 11 October 2021. Retrieved 26 February 2026.
- ↑ "Full List | NAMA Awards 2024 winners, controversy". RosGwen24 News. 27 February 2024. Retrieved 26 February 2026.
- ↑ "2025 NAMA awards winners and nominees (Updated list)". IBZim. 21 June 2025. Retrieved 26 February 2026.
- ↑ "Zanu PF turns to Zimdancehall to boost crowds". The Standard. 13 February 2022. Retrieved 26 February 2026.
- ↑ "Enzo Ishall suffers humiliating defeat in Zanu PF primary elections". Nehanda Radio. 28 March 2023. Retrieved 26 February 2026.
External links
[edit]- Video on YouTube
- Enzo Ishall on Spotify
Category:Living people Category:1994 births Category:Zimbabwean musicians Category:Zimbabwean male singers Category:People from Harare Category:Zimdancehall musicians Category:21st-century Zimbabwean singers
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