United Kingdom-based artiste and emerging Afro-pop sensation Chashe Musarurwa McTaggart will showcase at Hifa on Saturday before heading for her maiden Zim Achievers’ Awards (ZAA) performance in London on May 9.
By Entertainment Reporter
The Zvekupenga singer is excited to be performing for the first time at Hifa which kicked off yesterday.
She is excited to be meeting for the first time Tinashe Makura, the artiste she collaborated with on Zvekupenga, who will share the stage with her at Hifa.
The two artistes collaborated on the song via the Internet. Makura was based in Malaysia.
“I’m very excited, of course, and honoured to be performing at these events,” Chashe said in an interview.
“This will be my first performance at an awards event like ZAA and I can’t wait to get up on that stage.”
Chashe added that she had learnt that Carl Joshua Ncube would be hosting the event in London and that she was looking forward to some good laughter there.
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The Harare-born Chashe says her music explores the themes of falling in and out of love, and mixes both English and Shona lyrics to create her own definition of Afro-pop.
ZAA executive director Brian Nyabunze said his team was finalising preparations for the event, with more performers set to be announced in the next few days.
“Guests to our previous events know that we have a track record of bringing exciting new artistes to their attention and this year is no different. We are pleased to introduce the sassy, soulful and vibrant Chashe to our guests at this year’s event,” Nyabunze said.
Events co-ordinator Colline Muchechetere, who oversees recruitment of performers for the awards, added: “Chashe is a wonderful addition to the growing pool of young female talent, such as Pah Chihera, Cynthia Mare, and Tariro neGitare, who have emerged from Zimbabwe in the last few years.”
Muchechetere said in 2013 the ZAA introduced Zimbabweans to the funky Afro-soul of London group Soneni and The Soul as well as the then relatively unknown R&B sensation Tinashe Kachingwe.
“Since then, Tinashe has literally exploded into a global star with her critically acclaimed debut album Aquarius and the hit singles 2On and All Hands on Deck. In 2014 we brought you the Afro-fusion sound of Farai and The Forest Dawn, who brought the house down with their funky and energetic set,” Muchechetere said.
In 2012, Chashe released her debut album Dhi, a vibrant and uplifting work that was well received in Zimbabwe and got commercial radio airplay in the top 40 charts. She has recently moved from Boston to London and has a new album almost ready. “My next album is still in the pre-production phase, but it will definitely be out before the year’s end. I am over the moon about it so far,” she said.
Chashe added that her biggest artistic influences at present were Stromae, Sam Smith, Calvin Harris and Dr Seuss.
“I have been completely swallowed into the world of these writers lately and can only hope some of their atmosphere bleeds into my work. Stromae’s timeless melodies and electric dance grooves with touches of Afro-beat, to Dr Seuss’ definitively unique flow of rhyme and morality, to Sam Smith and his wonderful vulnerability inspire me,” she noted.
For four years Chashe worked as a professional musician and writer in the United States, mainly in the Boston area. She’s played with award-winning band Zili Misik, written material for commercially released albums Crossroads by Zili Misik, and In The Flow by Ayumi Ueda.
She has performed at venues such as the House of Blues, Hynes Convention Centre and many more.
Following two years of studying Jazz Performance at the South African College of Music, the singer/songwriter attended Berklee College of Music in the US, studying voice as a principal instrument.
This year the ZAA celebrates its fifth anniversary with yet another polished gala dinner at the five-star Royal Garden Hotel in Kensington. The ZAA has established itself as the leading platform for recognising the achievements of people of Zimbabwean heritage.
Chashe’s tracks like Zvekupenga, Dhi and Azonto have become favourites of many.
