Zimbo wows Pharell

Bruce Ndlovu
Superstar American musician, producer and reality show judge Pharell Williams acknowledged that Zimbabwean prodigy Brian Nhira sings his smash hit song, Happy , better than he does after the honey voiced Zimbabwean melted away the competition during this yeara��s auditions for The Voice.

The Zimbabwean promptly won a spot in Pharella��s team for the upcoming season of the popular talent search show, and will receive mentorship from the ageless music doyen who has managed to stay relevant in the music industry for the past three decades.

The Voice is an American reality television singing competition whose aim is to find new singing talent.

The winner is determined by television viewers voting by telephone, Internet, SMS text, and iTune store purchases of the audio-recorded artistsa�� vocal performances. They receive US$100,000 and a record deal with Universal Music Group for winning the competition.

After his crowd rousing performance, Pharell acknowledged the Zimbabweana��s talent, saying he had sung the song better than he does.

a�?Singing wise I felt that you went there and had yourself a good time. Clearly you sing the song much better than I do. I am not fishing, he did some lines that I know I cana��t do,a�? the musician said.

The son of a travelling church minister whose parents moved to the United States from Zimbabwe to pursue educational opportunities, Brian started singing at the age of four in church. While he has anchored his roots in the US, the young crooner has maintained his links to his country of birth, coming back to visit regularly.

After high school, the 23-year-old went to Oral Roberts University and was a worship leader there, but he has since launched a career as an indie pop solo artist.

Influenced by his religious upbringing Nhira, whose father was in the audience during his performance, said that his main goal in his professional music career was to make sure the messenger never overshadowed the message.

a�?With every lyric I write and note I sing I want to, first and foremost, be a catalyst for hope, healing and restoration.a�?