Online Reporter
Zimbabwe-born, UK-raised R&B and soul singer-songwriter Rumbi Tauro has opened up about an unexpected chapter in her creative journey, one that saw her move beyond the stage and into the world of broadcasting, interacting with audiences across the United Kingdom through BBC Radio 4’s Prayer for the Day programme.
Tauro has steadily established herself as one of the emerging voices on the UK’s contemporary soul scene. While music remains at the heart of her career, her recent collaboration with BBC Radio 4 has allowed her to connect with listeners in a different way.
She first gained attention in 2020 with the release of her debut EP, The Process. Her profile continued to rise in 2021 following performances at the Tramlines Festival in Sheffield and the Long
Division Festival in Wakefield. Those appearances helped expose her music to wider audiences and opened doors to support from major British broadcasters. Since then, her music has received airplay on BBC Radio 1Xtra, while she has also featured in interviews on BBC Radio 5 and BBC Radio Sheffield.
Yet one of the most significant opportunities of her career emerged from a chance encounter after a live performance. In 2024, Tauro was supporting acclaimed singer Izo FitzRoy at Band on the Wall in Manchester when a BBC Radio 4 producer happened to be in the audience. What seemed like an ordinary performance would soon become a turning point.
Reflecting on the moment, Tauro said the meeting unexpectedly changed the trajectory of her career.
“In 2024, I was supporting an artiste called Izo FitzRoy at Band on the Wall Manchester. A BBC Radio 4 producer was there in the crowd when I was performing. We spoke after the show and that was the start of a wonderful journey with BBC Radio 4,” she said.
The conversation led to Tauro and her band recording six live songs for the broadcaster, which were aired between August and December 2025. Impressed by both her artistry and thoughtful outlook, BBC Radio 4 later invited her to present six editions of Prayer for the Day in June this year.
One of the station’s longest-running and most respected programmes, Prayer for the Day offers short reflections rooted in faith while engaging with everyday experiences and contemporary issues.
Rather than simply delivering scripted messages, Tauro drew on her own life experiences and beliefs to share reflections that resonated with listeners across the country. Her contributions explored themes such as patience, wisdom, perseverance through faith and discovering purpose in ordinary moments, offering encouragement to audiences navigating the challenges of daily life.
Although the experience differed greatly from performing before a live audience, Tauro embraced the opportunity to communicate in a new way.
“Being in front of a microphone but in a different way. I was speaking but I couldn’t see anyone! Usually when I’m singing, I’m in front of a large crowd. This was a nice difference to my usual live set-up,” she said.
The experience has also sparked an interest in broadcasting, which she views as another avenue for creative expression alongside music.
“I’d love to see what life on air could look like alongside my other creative outlets. I don’t think it’s possible for me to ever just do one thing. I fly better when I have a few plates spinning at the same time,” she said.
Looking ahead, the singer is preparing for a busy period. She revealed that fans can expect new music in 2026. Her forthcoming single, Never Let You Go, is set for release in the coming weeks, with two additional singles and a series of festival appearances across northern England also in the pipeline.
