Online Reporter
Liberty Mutamba, [email protected]
IN an era where a song can travel across continents with a single click, young Gwanda artiste Ria Marrie is proving that talent, determination and smart use of social media can be a powerful combination.
The Afro-fusion singer, whose real name is Maria Beyonce Mutimwi, is steadily building a name for herself in Zimbabwe’s music industry, using digital platforms to reach audiences far beyond her hometown. Her latest single, Uzongithola, is gaining momentum online, attracting attention from music lovers through TikTok, Facebook and Instagram before its wider release on streaming platforms.
For many emerging artistes, breaking into the music industry can be a daunting task. Limited resources, fierce competition and a lack of exposure often stand in the way of success. However, Ria Marrie believes the internet has changed the game, creating opportunities for young musicians from smaller towns to compete on the same stage as established acts.
Her latest release is a reflection of that approach.
Instead of rushing to release Uzongithola immediately, the young singer chose to first create excitement around the song online. She shared snippets of the track, behind-the-scenes content and promotional videos across social media platforms, hoping to build anticipation among listeners.
The gamble paid off.
The song quickly began gaining attention, particularly on TikTok, where users started resharing clips and participating in dance challenges inspired by the track. Interest soon spread to Facebook and Instagram, helping the song reach audiences beyond Gwanda and introducing Ria Marrie to new listeners.
Produced by Jay D the Poet and 21 Banger, Uzongithola has become one of her most talked-about projects so far.
For Ria Marrie, the positive response is not simply about one song. It is the result of a journey that began several years ago while she was still a pupil at school.
Her musical breakthrough came during her Lower Sixth days at Gwanda High School.
Like many school pupils involved in arts activities, she enjoyed performing whenever opportunities arose. One such opportunity came during an arts competition where she performed alongside fellow artiste Panasonic T and her friend Mirriam.
Little did she know that the event would become a turning point in her life.
“Bry Eze saw me, Panasonic T and my friend Mirriam performing at an event at Gwanda High School during an arts competition, and he approached us to say he wanted to feature us on a song,” she recalled.
The invitation came from Bry Eze, one of Gwanda’s most recognisable musicians. Although Mirriam was unable to attend the studio session, the collaboration went ahead with Panasonic T and Ria Marrie.
The experience gave the young singer her first real taste of professional music production and helped her see the possibilities that existed beyond performing at school events.
“I was so excited because Bry Eze is one of the biggest artistes in Gwanda, and to be picked by him to record a song gave me a lot of confidence and made me take music seriously,” she said.
That confidence would prove crucial.
Inspired by the experience, Ria Marrie began working harder on her craft, developing her songwriting skills and exploring her artistic identity. The effort eventually led to the release of her debut single, Kumusoro, in 2024.
Produced by Kuda Kay, the song marked her official entry into the music industry and provided a platform on which she could begin building her career.
However, the singer soon discovered that making music was only one part of the journey.
In today’s digital age, creating good music alone is often not enough. Audiences need to know who an artiste is, where to find them and what makes them different from everyone else.
Recognising this reality, she decided to strengthen her brand.
In 2025, she underwent a major rebranding exercise, changing her professional name from Marie Josephs to Ria Marrie.
The decision was strategic.
She wanted a name that was unique, memorable and easier for fans to search for online. The rebrand also reflected her growing understanding of the modern music business, where visibility and identity can be just as important as talent.
The change marked a new chapter in her career and was accompanied by a more deliberate approach to marketing her work.
Rather than waiting for audiences to discover her music organically, she began actively engaging with fans online, posting regular content and building a stronger presence across various platforms.
That approach became particularly important during the promotion of Uzongithola.
“I decided to market the song first on social media and then release it, and I did exactly that,” she said.
The overwhelming response surprised even her.
“The reception I got brought tears to my eyes. Gwanda people are so supportive and so loving.”
Those words highlight the important role local support has played in her growth as an artiste.
While online audiences continue to expand, Ria Marrie remains deeply appreciative of the people who backed her from the beginning. She believes the encouragement she receives from her community motivates her to keep pushing forward and striving for greater success.
One group of supporters that particularly inspires her is young women.
She says seeing girls and women engage with her music gives her a sense of purpose beyond entertainment.
“Especially young girls, it makes me happy that girls my age and those younger and older than me support me, because I love the idea of empowering and inspiring others when I can,” she said.
For Ria Marrie, music is not only about performing and gaining popularity. It is also about encouraging others to believe in themselves and pursue their ambitions.
Her story reflects a wider transformation taking place within Zimbabwe’s music industry.
Social media has become one of the most powerful tools available to emerging artistes. Platforms such as TikTok, Facebook and Instagram now allow musicians to promote their work directly to audiences without relying entirely on traditional media outlets or radio stations.
For young artistes from towns such as Gwanda, these platforms have opened doors that were previously difficult to access.
Today, a song recorded in a small town can reach listeners across the country and beyond, provided it is supported by a strong digital strategy.
With the growing success of Uzongithola, Ria Marrie is now focused on sustaining the momentum she has created.
She plans to continue releasing new music, strengthening her brand and growing her online following. Her goal is to build a long-term career that extends beyond viral moments and temporary trends.
As part of a new generation of ambitious musicians emerging from Matabeleland South, she believes talent must be matched with consistency, smart marketing and a willingness to embrace new opportunities.
For now, the young singer’s star continues to rise.
And if the response to Uzongithola is anything to go by, Ria Marrie’s journey from Gwanda to bigger stages may only just be beginning.
