MILLICENT HUNGWE
When the lights dimmed and fireworks lit up the sky, the crowd at the second edition of the HKD Festival roared with excitement on October 25, a fitting celebration of a night that cemented Freeman HKD’s status not just as a musician, but as one of Zimbabwe’s most ambitious showmen.
Freeman HKD Boss aka Emegy Sylvester Chizanga spoke to the press expressing how happy he was.
“I’m pumped for more,” Freeman said with a confident smile after the event. “The first and second editions are always the hardest to tackle. So at this point, I’m confident!”
The festival, which attracted an impressive 8,500 attendees, exceeded all expectations.
From the very first beat to the explosive finale, it was a spectacle that brought music lovers together in a wave of unity and celebration.
“The fireworks were the highlight for me,” Freeman admitted.
“They captured the energy of the night perfectly,” he added.
Behind the seamless execution was months of meticulous planning.
“The actual planning took between two and three months,” he explained. “But we already knew exactly what we wanted to do this year since just after the first edition.”
Still, pulling off an event of that scale wasn’t without its hurdles.
“Funding was a major focus,” he said.
“Planning a big event like that needs money. It wasn’t really a challenge, but something that demanded our full attention.”
When it came to curating the star-studded lineup, Freeman kept things organic and fan-focused.
“We just sat down with my team and started listing those that we thought would entertain people that night,” he said. “It was an easy task.”
The response from fans and artists was overwhelmingly positive.
“They loved the whole thing!” he said with a grin.
“It’s a good thing when artists come together to achieve one goal, to entertain the audience. That’s unity!”
For Freeman, the HKD Festival represents something bigger than just music.
“It’s the live and energetic version of Freeman HKD, it’s a reflection of who I am and what my brand stands for,” he explained.
Looking ahead, the artist has even grander plans.
“My goal is to host a festival that stretches through the whole weekend maybe Saturday and Sunday where people can camp and enjoy themselves waiting for the next day,” he revealed.
If there’s one thing Freeman has taken away from the experience, it’s the power of collaboration.
“I learnt that teamwork is the real deal!” he emphasized.
As for how he’s celebrating the festival’s success? “I’m getting hyped to hit the road,” he said.
“We’ll celebrate in January during the offseason.”
And, of course, fans can already start looking forward to what’s next. “There’s definitely a 3rd edition,” Freeman confirmed with a playful smile. “But like the word says, surprises will always remain surprises.”
With passion, purpose, and a loyal fan base behind him, Freeman HKD’s journey continues to rise, proving that the HKD Festival isn’t just an event; it’s a movement.
