A GIRL FROM H-TOWN, SHA SHA IS EXPLODING

LONDON. – Charmaine Mapimbiro, better known as Sha Sha, is a powerhouse artist who is currently dominating Amapiano.

Dubbed the ‘‘queen of Amapiano’’ by a growing global fan base, the 28-year-old’s voice features on just about every major contemporary Amapiano track; from collaborations with South African industry figures DJ Maphorisa to Kabza De Small, Sha Sha is truly commanding her space in the field.

It is hard, then, to imagine that Amapiano was not Sha Sha’s first choice when her career started or even her second.  While working in an artist development programme in Harare, Sha Sha experimented with country, rock, and EDM sounds, all in an attempt to find what style worked for her.

But, eventually, it was Amapiano that stuck out as the genre to focus on; she was fascinated by the expanding wider culture around the sound, and knew she had to create “music that matched that vibe”, she tells New Musical Express, a British music, film, gaming and culture website and brand. In 2020, Sha Sha made history by becoming the first Zimbabwean artist to be named Best New International Act at the BET Awards, an award that has previously been won by the likes of Tems and former NMEcover star, Bree Runway.

It made for a pivotal moment for an artist that has spent years pioneering the Amapiano sound, and all that hard work will come to fruition on her debut album, ‘I’m Alive’ (due September 23), a collection powered by strong drum patterns blended with lively flourishes of saxophone notes and percussion.

Ahead of its release, Sha Sha meets NME to talk about her Zimbabwean heritage, the recent surge in popularity of both Afrobeats and Amapiano, and her dream of Latin superstar J Balvin featuring on an Amapiano track.

NME: How has your Zimbabwean background influenced your sound?

“I grew up listening to Zimbabwean artists like Oliver Mtukudzi and Thomas Mapfumo, so I have always been exposed to those types of sounds. Now, when I tap into Amapiano, and when I create my own music, I bring in my Shona – my culture – because it represents where I have been.

I have lived in Zimbabwe, Botswana, and South Africa, and the exposure to these cultures are put into my songs. I like to play around with them and merge them into my music.

“Yet I haven’t felt any different as a Zimbabwean in the music industry. I’m just a female in the industry, trying to push my work and trying to do what I want to do. I have been accepted with open arms, and people have treated me amazingly. The fans and the industry welcomed me as their own.”

You were part of an artist development programme in Harare. How has that shaped your approach to music?

“When I look back at it, I actually see how badly it was needed because back then, I was such a shy person. I was really in my shell, I was an introvert, and I used to have such serious, crippling stage fright.

“Through the programme, I was introduced to Audius Mtawarira, a radio personality, who then became my mentor. I worked with them for a good four years, working on my energy and my presence – just getting the hang of being an artist.

“I spent so many hours in the studio working that I even lost count. I spent time without dropping any music because we were working on finding my voice and coming out of my shell. It was a very important part of my career.”

Amapiano is quite a young genre, in that it has not necessarily been around for as long as some other African music genres out there. How did you first discover it?

“I discovered (the genre) in late 2018. I had just met (producer) DJ Maphorisa, and he really has a gift of just knowing what is going to be big. He was already bumping the sound, so when I listened to it I knew it was fire. It was just so crazy.

“I listened to it more and more, and it grew on me. Eventually, I knew I had to jump on this. It was exactly what I needed to be creating. When I look back at my career, I realise Amapiano was what I needed to grow and evolve as an artist. This is the music that I embraced as being Sha Sha.”

Winning a BET award must have been such a memorable moment in your career. What did it mean for you?

“It was so unexpected. At the time I had just dropped my EP (2019’s ‘Blossom’) and was still working towards that type of recognition and success. So, when I heard I was nominated?  I could not believe it. I told my colleagues, “You must be joking”. I was so excited about the nomination, but I thought that’s where it would end because I didn’t think I would win it. Me? Win? That was a whole different level of joy and happiness. It was insane.”

You were also the first Zimbabwean artist ever to win the award . . .

“Isn’t it crazy to think about that? I remember after I won, people back home reached out to share how proud they were of me. And when I went back (to Zimbabwe) on tour, the love I received was just insane. It was a very beautiful moment.”

In recent years, the biggest genre to come out of Africa has been Afrobeats, yet Amapiano is starting to gain exposure, and is becoming a clear rival. Do you think it could ever be bigger than Afrobeats?

“I feel like it might be at a par, because Afrobeat is so timeless. That genre evolves and morphs into all these different sounds which are the same in Amapiano.  They can both live at the same time. I know people will be against this, but both [genres] have that same element of being timeless. And with Amapiano, more and more people are jumping on to the sound. Imagine if J Balvin was on an Amapiano track? It will continue to grow, but for now, both genres can exist together.”

◆ Sha Sha’s debut album ‘I’m Alive’ will be released on September 23. – nme.com.