The Sunday News
IT is not so often that a Zimbabwean musician based in a foreign country, such as Ireland, makes an impact in the industry, while confidently singing in his or her native language.
This is, however, the magical story for 28-year-old Zimbabwe-born award-winning musician Samantha Boka warmly known as Kyriah Dee, who for the past four years has been off the radar, since releasing her debut single Turn Around.
Samantha not only possesses an untouchable goddess quality that is coupled with a sultry and ethereal beauty, she also has a captivating voice that has seen her being nominated in various awards and winning some.
She returns to the music industry with a new single Handei Kumafaro (let’s go partying), which she hopes to top the charts soon.
Kyriah, a mother of two, in a statement said the song was inspired by her Zimbabwean roots.
“It is a culture known for being joyful and resourceful even in the hardest of times,” she said.
The track, which Sunday Leisure has had the opportunity to listen to, has already received thousands of hits on Soundcloud in just under a week, while also receiving glowing reviews from blogs and online platforms such as InMuzik (Ireland) IndieBerlin (Germany), Jusi I love (Ghana), and Africa Groove (Nigeria).
Sunday Leisure has also had the opportunity to review the track, which immediately gets one into a party mood, with Kyriah’s rich vocals adding a captivating but yet hypnotic tune.
The track also has a video, where Kyriah dressed in a chic African attire, appears travelling in a tangerine to a picnic with friends.
Quite different from the typical urban music scene videos for youth enjoyment, the cast enjoy a picnic with a table made of hay at sunset and end the night dancing under the moonlight.
Known for her strong vocals and captivating performances, her interest in music grew when she joined Victory Christian Fellowship Choir. She started writing her own music soon after having taken part in the choir.
Kyriah’s musical journey began in 2011, after she released the video and track Turn Around.
It brought her a lot of recognition in the small urban music industry in Ireland notably being picked to open for platinum selling South African diva Lira the same year.
She said after having a chance to share the stage with Lira, she decided to try singing in her native language.
“After meeting Lira, I became brave enough to include Shona in my music. The move brought authenticity in a flooded market of female artistes,” she said.
She also said that she connected her to a soul jazz producer a while back during her time off showbiz, where she underwent transition into a more jazzy element.
“This collaborated effort with Chucky, led to the production of a nine-track album called Kyrisal that included tracks like Handei Kumafaro, Mr Fear, The Chase and Huya,” she said.
Kyriah was introduced to the world of music by her step-sister, Prudence Katomeni-Mbofana, while in Zimbabwe but it was not until she moved to Ireland that she made a breakthrough.
She was a leader in the music ministry at her church in Ireland and became one of their youngest worship leaders.
This trained her voice, which has been described as “strong, inspiring and soul catching”.
Kyriah was born on 2 June 1987 and is the daughter of the late businessman, Rodger Boka. She grew up and lived in Zimbabwe until 2002 when she moved to Ireland after the death of her father.
She has been nominated and won many awards.
Kyriah’s nominations and awards
God’s Generals Foundation
Female Vocalist of the year
(Won for Amazing Grace)
Zimbabwe Achievers Awards 2011
Female Artiste of the Year
(Nominated for Turn Around)
Video of the Year
(Nominated for Turn Around)
Ireland African Music Awards 2011
Female Artiste of the Year
(Nominated for Turn Around)
Gospel Artiste of the Year
(Nominated for Turn Around)
Video of the year
(Nominated for Turn Around)
Irish Gospel Music Awards 2011
Best Newcomer
(Nominated for Turn Around)
Video of the Year
(Nominated for Turn Around)
Female Artiste
(Nominated for Turn Around)
Ireland African Music Awards 2012
Best Collaboration
(Nominated for Be my Lady with Pop Dogg)
Notable Performances
Blaze Tour 2009
Miss Zimbabwe Ireland 2009
Face of Africa Ireland 2009
Miss Southern Africa Ireland 2009
Zimbabwe Independence Day Celebration 2010
World Cup Opening Party 2010
(Hosted by South African Embassy Ireland)
Opening Act Kirk Franklin in Dublin
Opening Act Lira Live in dublin
Africa Day Celebration Ireland Main stage 2011
Econet Live (Leicester)
(Opening Act for Oliver Mtukudzi)
Audio Sunshine Show (RTE Live radio) 200th Episode
Fundraiser for Kila’s first steps
Opening Act Danny G & The major 7ths
