Sha Sha gives up Amapiano crown?
WHILE she has made her name as the “Queen of Amapiano,” South Africa-based Zimbabwean songbird Charmaine “Sha Sha” Mapambiro, appears ready to let go of her crown as the ruler of the popular dance genre, with revelations that her upcoming album will focus on other genres, with R&B being the main staple.
Since her emergence in 2019, Sha Sha’s smooth vocals have seen her hailed as royalty in a genre that is scaling new heights on the continent and beyond.
However, following the release of her debut effort three years ago, the songbird went on a lengthened hiatus which reached its peak earlier this year when she disappeared from all social networks. Rumours suggest that was due to Sha Sha’s separation from one time mentor Maphorisa, with the acrimonious split resulting in her missing some gigs.
In June, artiste management company Black Major announced that Sha Sha had joined its high-powered roaster of artistes that include South African stars Sho Madjozi, DJ Lag and Bokani Dyer.
The rollout of Sha Sha’s upcoming album, I’m Alive set for release in September, has been handled by the company, instead of Lawk Communications, the company behind Maphorisa.
In an interview with a South African publication, Sha Sha revealed that not only would the upcoming album become her first without DJ Maphorisa’s holding her hand, it would also see her use less and less of his Amapiano production. The album is set for release on 23 September.
“It’s about me being able to express myself in different genres. I feel like music is an outlet for me, a way I can express myself. I’m tapping into different spaces, different genres,” she said.
Last week, Sha Sha gave fans a taste of what is on the menu come 23 September with the release of Give Me Something. She said the song, a collaboration with Rowlene, was a taste of the new sounds she was experimenting with, while it also served as a reminder of the importance of collaboration between women in music.
“I felt there aren’t enough women working together and from working on ‘Phakade Lami’ with Nomfundo I just made it like a thing that I would really like to work with more females and see what we can create,” Sha Sha said.
“Leading towards the album, you are going to be so shocked, there’s quite a diverse type of sounds in there. For me, one thing I’ve truly appreciated is how people have welcomed me and enjoyed my music,” she said.
Reflecting further on the album, she said it was born out of the need to kill off certain aspects of her life that were detrimental to her, as she became famous.
“It’s intense. It’s more of reflection on my journey with finding myself, to my spirituality and love and those things are the most important things to me now. With ‘I’m
Alive’ there are certain things that had to die, be it low frequencies, or things that I caught on with being famous.”
As
Sha
a
Sha seemingly seems to explore other genres, there has been an increasing number of young vocalists taking the spotlight, with the likes of Boohle and Nkosazana Daughter becoming heavyweight players in their own right.
On the making of an album that many assume will help her regain top spot, Sha Sha said she was pleased by the fact that she has worked with some of Mzansi’s most revered creative forces. During the making of the video for the single Themba Lami, Sha Sha recruited renowned fashion guru David Tlale.
“Everyone came together to bring such a beautiful body of work. We had Low come up with the really beautiful looks we worked with David Tlale and Yenzo killing it with film. It was such a busy day. Me and Ami are really good friends. We are out there
album also be showcasing vulnerability a n d comfortable fact.
“It’s good vulnerable sometimes, it’s good to that space and that little girl. you as a can to be version
yourself,”
joking around, it was a vibe,” she said. Sha Sha said ultimately t h e w o u l d about her h e r
being with that
to
be
tap into f e e d See how woman evolve the best o f
she said.