Just over a year after putting pen to paper on a two-year deal with Harare's Bridgenorth Music in March 2025, acclaimed Zimbabwean/Mozambican artist Sylent Nqo is celebrating a major career milestone.
The all black donning guitarist, composer, and singer/songwriter known as "The Guitar Sangoma" was presented with a gold plaque last Sunday at Bridgenorth Studios, commemorating over 10 million streams worldwide for his hit single, "Huya."
The ceremony drew a crowd of fellow artists and music stakeholders who gathered to witness the recognition.
According to a statement released by the record label recently, the achievement “marks a defining moment in what has been a stellar 2025 for the artist whose distinctive sound continues to captivate audiences across Africa and beyond.”
“Released to widespread acclaim, “Huya” has resonated deeply with listeners through its emotive guitar work, spiritual undertones, and genre-blending production, elements,” read part of the statement.
Speaking during the event, Sylent Nqo singled out the song as one of his personal favourites, reflecting on the different creative stages it went through before receiving an elevated boost from Bridgenorth Music, who have been running the label for only 18 months.
The gold plaque celebration comes on the heels of an exciting announcement for fans.
Just last week, the artist organised a concert at Alliance Française de Harare to mark the start of his nationwide tour where he will be backed by his band The Noise Makers.
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The show also featured a performance from fellow label mate Mary Anibal, highlighting the depth of talent emerging from the Bridgenorth roster.
In an interactive move, the artist has invited his fans to suggest the cities they would want him to tour.
Currently, the tour is set to include Harare, Bulawayo, and Mutare, with more dates expected to be added based on fan input.
Reflecting on his recent achievements, Sylent Nqo expressed gratitude to his team and supporters.
"I'm deeply thankful to the Bridgenorth team for standing with me every day as I pursue what I love. Reaching this milestone means everything, and it's only the beginning. We have powerful new music ready to share soon, and more wins ahead," he said.
Label executive Rob Burrell highlighted the synergy between the artist and the label's core mission during the event: "Sylent is an exceptional hard worker who truly represents what Bridgenorth stands for—local talent with global ambition. We are proud to support his journey and look forward to witnessing his continued growth.”
“We are always looking out for artists that can transcend Zimbabwe; that is kind of our mantra. Finding some musical currency that kind of crosses borders,” he said.
Fellow label head Keith Farquharson added, "Sylent's passion for his craft is extraordinary. This milestone reflects a strong collaborative effort and a truly deserved achievement for an artist whose dedication continues to inspire us."
The triple-gold success of "Huya" caps a remarkable run of releases in 2025, including Call Me Back, Denga featuring Suhn and Mhaw Keys, and Home Alone, further solidifying Sylent Nqo's reputation as one of the region's most innovative musical voices.
As momentum continues to build with both industry recognition and a growing tour, the artist is poised for an even greater global breakthrough.
Some of his accolades include being named the “Senior Solo Instrumental Grand Champion of the World” at the World Championships of Performing Arts in Hollywood in 2026.
He has worked with prominent musicians like Davido, Mr Eazi, Jah Prayzah, Shatta Wale, and DJ Cleo.
