UPCOMING GOSPEL ARTIST DREAMS BIG
UPCOMING gospel artist, Sithandiwe ‘Stah” Shumba, says she will not throw in the towel despite challenges she continues to face in her career.
The 26-year-old described her musical journey as bumpy but she has managed to keep pursuing her dream.
In an interview with H-Metro, Stah said she has faced a lot of challenges since she started recording.
“It has been tough for me to record since I started singing in 2020.
“The issue of finance has not been good because what you put in is not what you get at the end of it all.
“People also have a lot of expectations, they expect me to sing with the same vocals as big artists,” she said.
“Gospel music does not have a lot of support like other genres so it is hard to be known by many people.
“Sometimes, things do not happen when you want them to, for example, I was supposed to release my third single on the 28th of February but my producer had other commitments as he is also a singer.
“I had to wait and release the single on the 26th of March.”
The gospel artist started her musical journey two years ago.
“I started singing for recording in 2020. “I have been singing in church but decided to be a recording artist in 2020.
“I decided to start recording because I thought I could reach more people with songs I compose and record than hymns from church that everyone knows,” she said.
“I have released two singles and the third one I have is a feature.
“The first one is called Trust in the Lord
and was released in December 2020, the second one is called Baba Ndinotenda, which is a feature with Worshipper Munya and Matthew Deve, in 2021.
“The third one is titled 26 Taona Nyasha
and was released in March 2022, as this is the year I turned 26,” she told H-Metro.
According to Stah, she has had overwhelming support from family and friends.
“The support I have been getting, mostly from my family, is overwhelming.
“My sister and her husband bought the first copy of 26 Taona Nyasha for $26.
“Trust in the Lord played for 11 weeks straight on Gospel Greats,” said Stah.
Her inspiration comes from other gospel artists.
“Sharon Manyonganise, Xolile and Ntokozo from South Africa are my number one inspirations.
“I have always admired the way that they do their ministry work, how they carry themselves and also their consistency when it comes to their brands.
“I am also in the New Dawn Choir and this has inspired me,” she said.
Stah stays in Chitungwiza and is currently studying for a Masters in International Relations at the University of Zimbabwe.