Trust Khosa
JAZZ sensation Raven Duchess may not turn heads on the streets of Harare but she is a queen of the jazz scene across Eastern and Central Africa.
The diva is receiving rave reviews across East Africa, where she is currently on tour.
She has been staging a series of performances in Nairobi, alongside Kenyan rapper and spoken-word artist Checkmate Mido.
The pair first met in South Africa and their reunion in Nairobi has now blossomed into a creative collaboration.
Reflecting on her current tour, Raven said she was convinced that Zimbabwean music has a place on the international stage, because of its uniqueness. She said she intended to bring home lessons from her Kenyan experience and share them with local musicians.
“From my Kenyan trip, I’m bringing back the lesson of community as curation,” she told Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub.
“Music there is lived with people, not just performed for them. It affirmed my Indigo vision that healing is collective.
“I learned that my Nhare Mbira is a universal language – it connected without translation.
“I’m returning home more committed to creating participatory, inclusive live moments that turn audiences into a healing circle.”
Raven also praised Kenyan musicians for their authenticity. “Kenyan music pulses with diverse, communal polyrhythms and storytelling, while Zimbabwean music is anchored in the spiritual, cyclical trance of the Mbira. “Both are deeply rooted in ancestry and healing, but Kenya celebrates multiplicity, while Zimbabwe celebrates depth.
“After Kenya, I’m going into the studio to finish recording Indigo and launch its live tour across Zimbabwe and Southern Africa.
“Next, I will release new visuals, expand our healing music workshops and build on the Africa-Europe cultural exchange connections I made for future collaborations and festivals.” She added:
“After Kenya, I’m going into the studio to finish my collaboration with Malawian dancehall artist, Chizmo Sting, and release new music.
“This will be followed by a live tour across Zimbabwe and Southern Africa, new visuals, healing music workshops, and building on my Africa-Europe cultural exchange connections for future collaborations and festivals.”
Raven urged upcoming musicians who look up to her to remain focused and grounded.
“My advice is very simple – stay rooted and stick to your traditional instrument, your mother tongue and your story.
“That is your superpower, not your limitation.
“Be consistent, be professional, and protect your mental health. This industry will test you. Build community, not just contacts, and let collaboration grow you.
“And, don’t wait for permission – record, perform, teach, and share your healing with the world.” The diva’s tour is part of the Africa-Europe Partnership for Culture – Sub-Saharan Africa and Connect.
The folk-fusion artist’s tour is funded by the European union and implemented by Goethe-Institut, Expertise France and Institut Français.
According to Raven, the prestigious programme supports collaborative cultural exchange between Africa and Europe.
She has been using the opportunity to deepen Pan-African collaborations that began on international stages.
The songstress is famed for her refreshing brand of Zimbabwean folk-fusion and soul-healing music, which she describes as therapeutic.
Over the years, she has performed at several renowned festivals, including Music Imbizo in South Africa, Bayimba International Festival in Uganda, Afrofest Totonto in Canada, Lake of Stars Festival in Malawi, UMP Festival in Malawi, Tumaini Festival in Malawi, Good Seed and Food Festival in Zimbabwe, HIFA Festival in Zimbabwe, Shoko Festival in Zimbabwe, and the Victoria Falls Festival in Zimbabwe.
She has also staged sold-out Indigo healing tours in Harare and Victoria Falls.
Her work centres on mental health advocacy, community healing, and mentoring women and girls with disabilities through the arts.
Through this project, she continues to fulfil her mission of using music as a tool for healing, cultural dialogue and Pan-African unity.
