Introducing Gospel Sensation Blessing Shumba

Blessing Shumba

Determination and hope have kept Blessing Shumba's spirit alive and that has seen him rapidly progress after releasing only two albums, a remarkable feat in the tough music industry. While the City of Mountains is rich in diamonds, Mutare has also given birth to a rare breed of gospel artiste in the name of Shumba. Shumba has brought into Zimbabwe's gospel music industry a unique and highly inspirational product, different from the conventional gospel music that is prevalent in the country.

Asked what has made his music different from the conventional gospel music that most people have become familiar with, Shumba said: "I try to be myself when I compose my music and not imitate anyone because I believe there has to be some form of diversity in our gospel music industry." Being the newcomer that he is, Shumba made a good start to the New Year after coming second best in the Radio Zimbabwe Coca-Cola Pimped Up and Ride Top 50 songs at an awards ceremony held in the capital last month. 

His song, "Mufaro", came second to sungura maestro Alick Macheso's "Tafadzwa". Shumba walked away US$700 richer. As if that is not enough, he has been nominated for the Nama awards in the Outstanding Album category where he has positioned himself as a strong contender against Sulumani Chimbetu and Winky D. Shumba was born in 1979 in Buhera and his family relocated to Mutare in 1981. He kicked off his music career when he was a youngster singing in the church choir. 

Growing up in a Christian environment kept Shumba's love for gospel music burning as he first attempted to venture into the music industry in 2002 with the group Vakushi Veshoko who released an album entitled "Tumai Mweya". From then on he never looked back. He continued singing in the church choir while studying for an electrical power installation course at Mutare Polytechnic. Shumba only decided to become a full-time gospel musician in 2008 when he went into the studio to record his first solo album. Though public appreciation for his debut six-track album "Ishe Wazvose" which was released at the beginning of 2009 was low, this never killed Shumba's optimism. 

The album only started receiving appreciation in 2010. Shumba says that it was difficult for him to penetrate the music industry with his first album. "I think the reason why it was a mammoth task for my music to be appreciated was because I was new to the industry and Zimbabwean people have a tendency of wanting to understand one's music before they appreciate it," he said. 

Fortunes turned for Shumba with the release of his second album, ‘NdiMwari', which has seven tracks and has been warmly received. The song "Mufaro" from the album entered Radio Zimbabwe's Top 20 chart within two weeks of its release. Although the name Shumba might not ring a bell to many people, "Mufaro" has become a hit on buses and entertainment joints. It is the way that Shumba articulates topical issues affecting people in everyday life that has made his music popular with all classes of people. Though Shumba has not yet established a band of his own, he has worked with Lyton and Brian Ngolomi who play keyboards and bass guitar respectively. 

Shumba also engaged Olinda Marowa and Bethan Pasinawako on his debut and second albums respectively as backing vocalists. Asked where he derives his inspiration from, Shumba cites his late father's teachings. His father was a pastor in the Mugodi apostolic sect. Besides his father, Shumba was also inspired by the late Brian Sibalo. "I admire and cherish the late Brian Sibalo's music until this day because his music uplifts one's soul and it draws me nearer to the Almighty. 

I also hope that my music will have the same effect on my fans," he said. With his willingness to learn from other gospel artistes, Shumba said he collects music from the legendary Baba Mechanic Manyeruke and other artistes like Sebastian Magacha and Cris Gera, to mention a few. "I want to learn from others and from their music. I always find something that inspires me," said Shumba. 

Shumba hopes to become a music producer and to set up his own recording studio in the next five years so that he will be able to help those who have no money to record. Shumba is married with four children. (Sundaymail)