Bio
Zeke Manyika is a drummer, singer and songwriter whose work connects Zimbabwean musical traditions with British post-punk, soul and dance music. He came to prominence with Orange Juice and contributed drums and vocals to The The, including the chant on “Giant.” Manyika describes his natural approach to drumming as soulful and rolling, although working with Matt Johnson also pushed him towards a harder attack. His solo work includes Call and Response and Mastercrime, while collaboration has remained a substantial part of his career. A partnership with Faze Action began with “Kariba” in 1998 and has continued across their Afro-disco and Balearic productions. On the 2026 single “Batanayi,” his Shona vocals carry a message of unity, placing his voice at the centre of music shaped by live instrumentation and dancefloor rhythms.
