Ma9Nine Set to Release Debut Album Big Ndebele and Champion Matabeleland Talent

Ndebele dancehall king Ma9Nine is set to mark an important milestone in his music career with the release of his maiden album, Big Ndebele, on Saturday, August 15. The highly anticipated project represents a major step forward for the Zimbabwean artiste as he takes greater ownership of his sound, identity and creative direction. The 10-track album is designed to introduce audiences to Ma9Nine in a more complete way while showcasing the distinctive Ndebele flavour he wants to bring to Zimbabwe’s dancehall scene. Its release also comes at an important time for the artiste, who has expanded his work beyond performing through the establishment of Wazin Family Studios in Magwegwe North. Through his music and studio, Ma9Nine is positioning himself as both an artiste and a platform builder for talent from Matabeleland.

Big Ndebele arrives after Ma9Nine established Wazin Family Studios, a recording facility created with the goal of helping artistes from Matabeleland gain stronger links with Zimbabwe’s mainstream music industry. The studio is based in Magwegwe North and is intended to bring acclaimed producers from different parts of the country closer to musicians in the region. This approach could give emerging artistes access to production expertise and industry connections that are often difficult to secure without travelling to major music centres. For Ma9Nine, the studio forms part of a wider vision that extends beyond his own career and focuses on creating opportunities for other musicians. His decision to release an album produced entirely by himself also allows him to establish the Wazin brand through a project with a clear and consistent creative identity.

The introductory track on Big Ndebele is the Ndebele version of Amagetsi, a song that pays tribute to the late dancehall musician Souljah Love. The late artiste remains an influential figure among many emerging musicians in Zimbabwe’s Zimdancehall movement, making the tribute a significant choice for the album’s opening statement. By presenting the song in Ndebele, Ma9Nine adds his own cultural and linguistic identity to a piece connected to an important figure in Zimbabwean dancehall. The track also reflects the influence that established artistes can have on the next generation of musicians. Starting the album with a tribute gives Big Ndebele a strong connection to the history and evolution of the genre while introducing listeners to Ma9Nine’s interpretation of that legacy.

The 10-track album features a varied selection of songs that further explore Ma9Nine’s musical identity and creative approach. The tracklist includes Everything Nice, Jericho, Cresenzisa, Malume, Morning Class, Wonku Muntue Mayela, Kholeka, Dem Dead and Dai Ukafa, which features Uncle Slim. Each song contributes to a project that Ma9Nine hopes will give listeners a broader understanding of his artistry rather than relying on a single hit or style. The inclusion of Uncle Slim on Dai Ukafa also adds another voice to the album and creates a collaborative element within the largely self-produced project. With 10 tracks carrying the Big Ndebele title, the album presents itself as a focused introduction to the artiste’s sound and ambitions.

Ma9Nine has explained that the album is intended to show audiences who he is and what he can contribute to Zimbabwe’s music industry. He wants to bring a different Ndebele flavour to the country’s dancehall landscape while demonstrating the talent he believes he possesses. His decision to produce all 10 tracks himself was deliberate because he wanted the project to have what he describes as the signature feel of the Wazin brand. That level of creative control gives him the opportunity to shape the production, sound and overall identity of the album according to his own vision. He is also hopeful that his fans and followers will connect with the songs and find something relatable across the project.

The release of Big Ndebele is closely linked to Ma9Nine’s broader efforts to develop a stronger music ecosystem in Matabeleland. Through Wazin Family Studios, the artiste is attempting to create an environment where local musicians can record, develop their sound and gain exposure without being overlooked by the wider industry. His plans recognise a challenge faced by many emerging musicians, namely the difficulty of finding platforms that can help them move from local recognition to national visibility. By bringing established producers into the region, the studio could help close some of the gaps between musicians based in Matabeleland and the country’s mainstream music networks. Ma9Nine’s own career therefore becomes part of a larger effort to demonstrate that the region has both talent and creative potential.

As part of that vision, Ma9Nine has launched the Uluju Riddim challenge to give emerging and unknown artistes an opportunity to showcase their abilities. The initiative is designed specifically to expose talent from Matabeleland and contribute to the growth of the local music industry. Riddim projects have historically provided opportunities for multiple artistes to record over a shared production, allowing new voices to reach audiences alongside more established performers. For musicians who struggle to find platforms for their first major releases, an initiative such as Uluju Riddim could provide an important avenue to introduce themselves to listeners. Ma9Nine’s goal is to identify artists with potential and help them take the first step towards establishing themselves in the industry.

The motivation behind the Uluju Riddim challenge is rooted in Ma9Nine’s belief that significant amounts of talent remain undiscovered because aspiring musicians lack opportunities to make their breakthrough. His approach seeks to turn Wazin Family Studios into more than a conventional recording facility by making it part of a talent development network. If successful, the initiative could help create a pipeline through which emerging artistes receive exposure, production support and opportunities to build their careers. It could also strengthen Matabeleland’s position within Zimbabwe’s broader music industry by encouraging more local musicians to develop and release their work. Ma9Nine’s ambition is to become a person who helps open doors for talented musicians who might otherwise struggle to gain recognition.

The release of Big Ndebele therefore represents more than the arrival of Ma9Nine’s first album. It is a statement about his identity as a Ndebele artiste, his confidence as a producer and his determination to build a recognisable Wazin brand. The album allows him to take full ownership of his music while his studio and Uluju Riddim challenge extend that vision to other musicians from Matabeleland. His tribute to Souljah Love also places the project within the broader story of Zimbabwean dancehall and the artists who have influenced its development. As fans prepare for the August 15 release, Big Ndebele has the potential to become an important milestone in Ma9Nine’s career and another step in his effort to put Matabeleland talent firmly on Zimbabwe’s music map.