Sylent Nqo's 'Huya' goes triple gold after 10 million streams

Acclaimed Zimbabwean/Mozambican artist Sylent Nqo is celebrating a major career milestone after his hit single "Huya" surpassed 10 million streams worldwide, earning triple gold status.

The achievement marks a defining moment in what has already been a standout 2025 for the guitarist, composer and singer-songwriter, whose distinctive fusion of Afro-fusion, contemporary soul and spiritually infused instrumentation continues to captivate audiences across Africa and beyond.

Released to widespread acclaim, "Huya" resonated strongly with listeners through its emotive guitar work, layered production and spiritual undertones. The track further cemented Nqo's reputation as "The Guitar Sangoma," a nickname inspired by the healing and meditative essence many fans associate with his music. Its global streaming success underscores his growing influence as a boundary-pushing instrumentalist and storyteller in contemporary African music.

Central to the milestone has been the support of his label, Bridgenorth, which played a key role in amplifying the release across platforms and markets throughout the year.

Label executive Rob Burrell praised the artist's work ethic and vision, saying Nqo embodies the label's commitment to nurturing local talent with global ambition. He added that the team looks forward to supporting the musician's continued growth.

Reflecting on the achievement, Nqo expressed gratitude to both his team and his fans, describing the milestone as deeply meaningful and only the beginning of greater things to come. He hinted at powerful new music set for release in the near future.

Fellow label head Keith Farquharson commended Nqo's passion and dedication, describing the triple-gold certification as the result of strong collaboration and an artist fully committed to his craft.

The 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 Nqo's standing as one of the region's most innovative musical voices.

Beyond his recent streaming triumph, Sylent Nqo has built an impressive career marked by collaborations with international and African icons such as UB40, Oliver Mtukudzi and Hugh Masekela. His versatility is also evident in collaborations with contemporary stars including Davido and Jah Prayzah.

Among his accolades are the "Senior Solo Instrumental Grand Champion of the World" title in 2016 and the "Best Alternative Musician" award at the Zimbabwe Music Awards in 2019, milestones that have helped shape a career defined by innovation and global ambition.