.png)
Asante Mo’s story began in Bulawayo, where the three members met at a local art school. Their journey took an unexpected turn when Nkwali, a respected artist, introduced them to DJ Nqoe, a producer with a solid sound system.“We didn’t even know exactly what we were doing at first,” they admit. “But we saw something big coming.”
Their first-ever performance was under the name Afro Pith, but the audience felt the name didn’t match their act. After some soul-searching, they rebranded as Asante Mo, a name that now carries weight in the Zimbabwean music scene. At the heart of Asante Mo’s music is Afro-Tech, a genre that merges traditional African sounds with modern electronic beats. 2024 has seen the rise of Afro House in two of Zimbabwe’s largest cities Harare and Bulawayo as many artists are adding their voices to the movement. Asante Mo with their standout live performances are presenting a unique take on the genre many Zimbabweans are beginning to adopt.
“The music we play connects deeply with our culture,” they explain. “Afro-Tech was meant to modernize our cultural songs and rhythms. It’s about taking what we already know and making it fresh.” Influenced by legends like Djembe Monks, Black Motion, and Skyroot, Asante Mo crafts pulsating beats layered with live percussion and hypnotic dance moves, creating an immersive musical experience. And their roots run deep. One of the members, Norman Takawira, comes from a lineage of Zimbabwean artistic pioneers. They also credit legendary figures like Cont Mhlanga, Simon Mambazo Phiri, and Raisedon Baya for shaping their artistic vision.
The band grew from stride to stride as they refined their act. They largely recall their breakthrough moment as the day when they performed at Zimkids Orphanage in Bulawayo.
“We did a charity performance, and it paid off in ways we never expected,” they recall. It was at this event that they met Tinashe Bassa of Tizzie Studios, who saw their potential and promised to work with them. From that moment, the bookings started rolling in. Their first major show outside Bulawayo was at Alliance Française in Harare, and from there, it was one gig after another.
Since their debut, Asante Mo has taken over some of Zimbabwe’s biggest stages, leaving audiences mesmerized with their explosive performances. Their first-ever performance was at Credisi Party Online Show, hosted by Iyasa. “The audience was shocked, it was something completely new,” they recall. Then came Mapopoma Festival in Victoria Falls, a major milestone that helped them refine their instruments and stage presence.
And then there was Hinde, hosted by fellow Bulawayo native, international Afro House pace-setter Nitefreak. Asante Mo delivered a performance so intense they call it “the best one hour on Earth”. But perhaps their proudest moment came at Intwasa Arts Festival KoBulawayo, where they stole the show. “Bulawayo was proud of us,” they say with a smile.
Asante Mo thrives on collaboration. They’ve worked with some of Zimbabwe’s biggest artists, including: Gemma Griffiths, Nolizwe and Mawiza. They’ve also joined forces with local choirs and gospel groups, proving that their sound transcends genres and communities.
So, what can potential bookers expect from an Asante Mo live show?
“A clean, powerful, and energetic act that fits any occasion,” they promise.
Their performances are interactive, they introduce small percussion instruments, encourage audience participation, and even build beats live on stage, getting the crowd involved through clapping and call-and-response rhythms. The result? A hypnotic, high-energy performance that leaves audiences wanting Mo’.
Comments