Zimbabwean music producer Young DLC has released a new Afro-house single, “Ngoma dzeNhau”, a track built around one of the country’s most recognisable sounds – the iconic drums that have introduced ZBC television news bulletins for generations.
Released today, the song is now available on major streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music and other digital music services.
Rather than simply sampling a familiar broadcast sound, Young DLC says the project was conceived as a celebration of Zimbabwean cultural identity, using music to bridge nostalgia and contemporary African electronic dance music.
A sound every Zimbabwean knows
For many Zimbabweans, the opening drums of the ZBC news have become part of everyday life, instantly signalling the start of the evening bulletin.
Young DLC says the idea emerged from reflecting on just how deeply embedded the rhythm is in the country’s collective memory.
“As a music producer, I’m always searching for sounds that tell a story,” he explained.
“Sometimes inspiration comes from a melody or a rhythm, but in this case it came from something every Zimbabwean has heard for decades, the ZBC television news intro drums.”
He described the famous introduction as more than a television jingle.
“Growing up in Zimbabwe, those drums became more than just a television jingle. They became part of our national identity.”
Whether families gathered around the television for the 8pm news or children heard the broadcast from another room, the producer believes the rhythm has become one of Zimbabwe’s most instantly recognisable audio signatures.
From newsroom to dance floor
The concept for “Ngoma dzeNhau” first appeared as one of Young DLC’s social media production experiments.
“I found myself wondering what would happen if those drums were taken out of the newsroom and placed on a dance floor,” he said.
That simple idea evolved into a polished Afro-house production.
Instead of dramatically altering the original rhythm, Young DLC says he deliberately preserved its identity while surrounding it with modern house production.
“My goal was to build a modern House record around the drums while preserving the emotion and nostalgia that generations of Zimbabweans associate with them.”
He stressed that the project was never intended to parody or replace the original news intro.
“It wasn’t about making a remix of the news intro; it was about showing that a sound deeply rooted in our culture could inspire something entirely new.”
Research before release
One aspect that distinguishes “Ngoma dzeNhau” from many sample-based productions is the amount of research that preceded its release.
Young DLC says he wanted to ensure the project respected both the legal and cultural significance of the original recording before making it publicly available.
He visited the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC), consulted the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO), made enquiries with the National Deeds Registry and engaged copyright authorities to understand the ownership and status of the recording.
“Throughout the process, I remained committed to respecting the creators and preserving the cultural significance of the original work,” he said.
The journey itself became part of the story, with the producer documenting the process online as he searched for answers.
Zimbabweans embraced the journey
According to Young DLC, audiences became invested not only in the music but also in the conversations surrounding it.
Social media users shared childhood memories associated with the ZBC news drums, while others expressed interest in the challenges of clearing a sample connected to Zimbabwe’s broadcasting history.
“It showed me that Ngoma dzeNhau had become bigger than just another release,” he said.
The discussions expanded beyond music to include Zimbabwean heritage, intellectual property, music production and the preservation of cultural identity.
Celebrating Zimbabwean sounds
Young DLC believes Zimbabwe possesses a rich archive of sounds capable of inspiring contemporary music.
“As someone who has spent years producing music for artists, television, film and international audiences, I believe Zimbabwe has an incredible catalogue of sounds that deserve to be celebrated in contemporary music.”
He argues that artists often search abroad for inspiration while overlooking the country’s own musical heritage.
“Ngoma dzeNhau is my contribution to that conversation,” he said.
The producer hopes listeners will appreciate both the music and the story behind it.
“It is a celebration of Zimbabwean identity through modern African House music, a bridge between nostalgia and the future.”
He added that if the project encourages more musicians to explore Zimbabwe’s musical heritage creatively and responsibly, it will have achieved something beyond commercial success.
Where to stream Ngoma dzeNhau
Ngoma dzeNhau is now available worldwide on leading music streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music and other major digital services.
The release marks another example of Zimbabwean producers drawing inspiration from local culture while introducing familiar sounds to new audiences through contemporary African dance music.
