The Sunday News
Nkosilesisa Ncube, Sunday Life Reporter
“I am told I started singing before I could talk. By the time I was a toddler, I was singing Killing Me Softly,” says 21-year-old local up-and-coming musician, Ashleigh Manyakaidze.
Ashleigh started singing professionally in early 2014 in a gospel group.
She then moved to bands that same year, singing backup for renowned artistes like Jeys Marabini and Takesure Zamar.
Ashleigh’s audience consists mostly of middle aged to older generations.
“I hardly ever sing for younger people, it is mostly for mature people at corporate functions, pubs and weddings,” she said.
Drawing her inspiration from South African musician Lira, Ashleigh says, “I love the way she is able to break through every market, not just the South African one.
“I also love how she does not resort to fancy hairdos to get people to notice her . . . she is just herself,”
Ashleigh says her ultimate goal is to inspire fellow youths while doing something that she loves.
“Many a time we are belittled for different reasons and I want to inspire people, not only as a musician but as a person as well,” Ashleigh said.
Looking back on her career, she says her defining moment was when she got fired from a gospel group.
“After I was fired, I had to make a choice, either to stay down or get back up.
“That is when I told myself that whether I am in a group or performing as a solo artiste, I am going to make it anyway,” said Ashleigh.
Apart from singing, Ashleigh is a full time student at Bulawayo Poly and says juggling a full time academic schedule with a full time music career can be quite challenging.
“I have to sacrifice a lot to better both sides. I cannot have one at the expense of the other,”
She has had to cut back on family and social time to fully commit to both her academic and music life.
Ashleigh stated lack of mentorship as one of her greatest challenges as a young artiste.
“I do not really have a mentor, I just have people who seem to want to help at first but in the end just want to exploit me.
“I can perform and be promised a certain amount of money but the person responsible for getting me the performance ends up pocketing most of it.
“I do not sing for the money, I just think when something is due to me, it is appropriate to hand it to me,” concluded Ashleigh.
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