The ManicaPost
Moffat Mungazi
Post Correspondent
RIGHT on cue to coincide with International Women’s Day — which is an annual global celebration every March 8 to commemorate women’s accomplishments — Mutare-born songstress, Charmaine Shamiso Mapambiro, pupularly known as Sha Sha, grooved into a league of her own.
Sha Sha added another feather to her cap that is already brimming with plumage by featuring on the soundtrack album to veteran American actor, Eddie Murphy’s latest movie ‘Coming 2 America’.
The gifted diva continues to make quantum leaps in her blossoming career after teaming up with South Africa’s Tellaman and Oxlade from Nigeria on the song titled ‘Overdue’.
Both the movie and the soundtrack album where officially released exactly a week ago.
This sees her scoring — or is it singing to — another first, as she breaks new ground by becoming the only artiste from the eastern border city to have a song she features on included as a soundtrack to an American movie.
Breaking the exciting news on her Twitter handle @ShaShaOfficial_to followers, the artiste could hardly hide her elation. Posted the artiste (accompanied by several emojis): “Super excited about this one. I still can’t believe I’m part of this, a movie I grew up watching. Insane! When God is your manager.”
The post was immediately retweeted several times, receiving many replies and getting hundreds of likes. An outpour of congratulatory messagges, admiration and encouragement ensued.
One user by the name Sipho_R commented: “@ShaShaOfficial_ underrated but I know you (are) a beast . . . salute . . . God bless your music journey.”
In a live video posted on her Instagram page, the trailblazing Sha Sha indicated that she had always wanted to write songs for movies and this deed was, indeed, a dream come true for her.
Featuring on the ‘Coming 2 America’ movie’s soundtrack album becomes a new career high for the fast-rising Amapaiono Queen following her double nomination in the 2021 Mtv Africa Music Awards’ (MAMA) Best Breakthrough Act and Listeners’ Choice categories.
Prior to that, the ‘Tender Love’ and ‘Sing It Back’ hitmaker had picked up the 2020 Black Entertainment Television (BET) Viewer’s Choice: Best New International Act accolade.
This followed hot on the heels of her whirlwind emergence on the South African music landscape where her exploits have not gone unnoticed.
In a short space of time, Sha Sha made winning merit awards her forte.
At last year’s Zimbabwe Achievers Awards (ZAA-South Africa), she scooped the dual gong of Outstanding Achievement in Music and Outstanding Achievement in Entertainment.
And since partnering acclaimed producer south of the Limpopo— DJ Maphorisa — the highly regarded Sha Sha has not looked back and is taking the continent by storm.
Exploiting collaborative exertions, she has benefited from being part of Rhythms of Zamunda, which — according to international record label Def Jam Recordings — is a pan-African project that bridges the distance between countries and cultures through a musical roadmap across Africa.
Rhythms of Zamunda coordinated the ‘Coming 2 America’ soundtrack album.
On the project Sha Sha relished the opportunity of rubbing shoulders with a galaxy of stars which include Diamond Platnumz, Morgan Heritage, Fally Ipupa and Prince Kaybee, among others.
The ex-St David’s Girls High (Bonda) pupil’s involvement in the ‘Coming 2 America’ adventure is, thus, another shot at international stardom.
The latest development is set to boost her profile and enhance her global standing as a singer.
After singing her way into international limelight working with the likes of Audius Mutawarira, Kabza De Small and Samthing Soweto, Sha Sha continues to make major waves in the industry by bringing her A-game and wooing crowds with her velvety voice.
The songbird is ardently proud of her Manicaland roots. So strong is the passionate bond she retains for the place that she even put the deep affection for her homeland into song.
Having grown up in the high-density suburb of Dangamvura’s Area 13 section, Sha Sha did the track titled ‘Mutare’ in honour of the diamond-mining city as she reminisces her past with nostalgia.
With her body of work readily available and in demand on various digital platforms, Sha Sha is leaving an indelible footprint in leisure and entrainment circles.
