adminMbongeni Msimanga Sunday Leisure Correspondent
WHEN someone is doing what they like and enjoy, they seldom think of awards but because they are driven by their passion — that emotional attachment to what they do, recognition always follows them in the form of rewards at times when they least expect it.
This is true for the young and beautiful Zimbabwe hip-hop sensation, Tinashe Jorgensen Kachingwe who has been nominated for the prestigious Black Entertainment Television awards (BET) under the Best New Artist category.
The awards are set for 28 June this year.
The Zimbabwean artiste will face stiff competition in a category that features prominent artistes Sam Smith, Dej Loaf, Fetty Wrap and Bobby Sharmuda.
She is in the fast lane of joining such big and popular names such as Rihanna, Nicki Minaj and Arianna Grande, to mention but a few who have headlined and dominated the American music industry.
The United States-based Zimbabwean R&B singer — Tinashe has managed with so much ease to break and fit in the celebrity life in the break-neck competition of America’s chart topping music that has a pool of talent to pick from and said she felt the nomination alone was no mean achievement.
“So thrilled and honoured to be nominated “Best New Artist” by bet awards!!!! THANK YOU! This is my first nomination EVER! I couldn’t be more grateful,” said Tinashe in a tweet.
The 22-year-old music sensation started her career when she met a five-member band — The Stunners — in 2007 before she embarked on a solo career in 2011 that would soon reap fruits for her musical journey if she happens to shrug off competition from other contestants in the category.
She proudly admits her Zimbabwean roots and has been on record saying her father is from Zimbabwe adding that music has always been part of her family.
“My dad’s family is from Zimbabwe and my family is of a musical culture. From my earliest memories, music was all around me. It was part of my DNA and I just loved everything about it. Doing music became my biggest goal as soon as I could sing. As most can see my name is originally Zimbabwean and it simply means we are with the Lord,” she said in an interview with an online magazine.
Tinashe said she had been expecting something solid to come out of her recent efforts but she had attempted to make it perfect so as to give her fans what they expect, “Yeah, I mean I’m such a perfectionist and I’ve micromanaged so much of this project that now that it’s out of my hands, it’s pretty crazy. But I guess it’s a bit of a relief,” she said in another online magazine.
However, fans also took to twitter and poured out their hearts over her recent nomination in the BET awards, saying it was a well — deserved effort given her continuous splendid performances.
“MAJOR congrats are due to @Tinashe for being named one of @ELLEmagazine and her @BETAwards Nomination for Best New Artist!,” said a fan in a tweet.
Some fans were adamant that she would give Zimbabwe glory by winning the award. “Let’s see if @Tinashe brings home the Best New Artist trophy at the @#BETAwards SUNDAY JUNE 28th !!!,” said another fan in a tweet.
In 2014, Tinashe released her debut solo album Aquarius that featured the track “2 On”. The song was a hit as it stayed on number one on the Rhythmic Top 40, an airplay chart published weekly by the billboard magazine.
She has also done mix tapes such as, In case we die and Reverie that have done well on airplay as well.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter