Blessing Shumba
Blessing Shumba is an award winning and popular Zimbabwean gospel artist who rose to prominence in 2010 with his second album 'Ndimwari'. The album carried the hit song 'Mufaro' which made waves on local stations and in public transport.
Background
He was born in Buhera in 1979. He is married to Pauline Chipakatira and the couple is blessed with two set of twins, Levious and Levite (boys), Elite and Eli.
Music career
As the son of a church, Shumba used to be taught to sing church hyms at their Mugodhi Apostolic sect. With little experience, Shumba decided to test the waters by forming an apostolic choral group called 'Vakushi veShoko' in 2001.The six member group went on to release an album titled 'Tumai Mweya' which was a big flop.[1] The group was short-lived as it soon dismantled after some of the members relocated to South Africa to seek greener pastures when the country experienced an economic meltdown. Shunba's passion however, made him write his first song 'Kurwa Kwakanaka' in 2008. That is when he approached Metro Studios in Mutare who refused to sign him because of the type of music he used to sing. He however recorded three songs, 'Kurwa Kwakanaka', 'Varombo Vachaiteiko' and 'Handina Mhaka' at VOJ studios were a National FM presenter Nathaniel Ncube, passed through the studio and picked the latter which he played on radio. That is when he realised his potential and the airplay gave him reason to finish the project and released a six-track album called 'Ishe Wazvoshe' in January 2009. He then kept the album for nearly two years not knowing what to do until a church mate advised him to present it to recording stables.[2] He followed up with a banger, 'Ndimwari' which made an impact and propelled the soft-spoken musician to national stardom.
Collaboration with Inmates
In 2011 he did a collaboration album with Mutare Prison Remand Prison inmates and prison officers. Shumba produced the album and featured on some of the songs with the group which comprised of 16 inmates and 8 prison officers.[3] This is when rumour started circulating that Shumba, was once arrested.
As an Ambassador
Shumba was in 2013 appointed brand ambassador for the Manicaland National Blood Services Zimbabwe (NBSZ) to encourage a culture of donating blood regularly. Shumba joined a host of other artists such as Sandra Ndebele and Tryson Chimbetu who had joined NSBZ.[4]
Albums
- Ishe wazvose (2009)
- Anoita Minana
- Ndimwari
- Shongwe (2012)
Awards
His album 'Ndimwari' was voted Outstanding Album at the 2012 National Arts Merit Awards (NAMA).
References
- ↑ Jairos Saunyama, A peek into Shumba’s life, career, 'The Zimbabwe Mail', Published: 29 May 2013, Retrieved: 10 Apr 2014
- ↑ Tawanda Marwizi, Inside Blessing Shumba’s territory, 'Herald', Published: 4 Feb 2014, Retrieved: 10 Apr 2014
- ↑ Showbiz Reporter, Blessing Shumba’s prison collaboration, 'The Zimbabwean', Published: 18 Jan 2012, Retrieved: 10 Apr 2014
- ↑ Edgar Moyana, Blessing Shumba appointed ‘safe blood’ ambassador, 'Herald', Published: 5 Jun 2012, Retrieved: 10 Apr 2014
