The Sunday News
Rumbidzai Mhlanga, Sunday Life Reporter
BORN in Mutare, and bred in Bulawayo, Promise Ngonidzashe Chirodzero known as Real Shona, upon realising his passion for music, turned a hobby into a profession.
The 20-year-old musician became an entertainer from a tender age where he would find himself composing songs. He said the name Real Shona has nothing to do with being tribal but it was more about finding himself.
“I was born in Mutare and stayed there till I was around nine years doing my Grade 4 that’s when we relocated to Bulawayo. The name grew when I was still part of the Upper-Class group when we composed a song called, Real Shona with a Ndebele flavour. But I always loved Shona songs because growing up, all that was played at home were songs by urban grooves artistes. So, basically, I am Ndebele outside and Shona inside.
“It was at the age of 14 that I decided to chase my dream of being a musician and I joined a lot of groups trying to sharpen my talent. I was part of groups like Vibes Soldiers, Upper Class and Dream Pushers which were groups for up-and-coming artistes,” he said.
After learning all that he could about the music industry Real Shona decided to ride solo.
“In 2018, I decided to find my own way and do what I personally love. Being part of groups somehow suppressed my talent because I did not nurture my talent to the fullest. And the other reason is all the groups I joined were passionate about hip -hop and what inspired me to do music where urban grooves so I decided to do dancehall. Thus, the same year I released my first single titled, Ndoda Iwewe. The response I got assured me that I was on the right track,” said Real Shona.
The artiste shared his achievements since he started his solo career.
“I’m trying to find my way around the music industry hence I am taking baby steps. So far, I only have seven singles namely, Ndoda iwewe, Amai which I dedicated to all the mothers for Mother’s Day, Ndidirirewo Mvura, Ndeipi, Ndivhurirewo, Tombonamata and Ndanga ndajaira kuzvishaiwa.
“I do not believe in awards marking you as the best in the industry as I feel like if you win it makes you relax thinking you are the best and losing also demotivates, so being nominated for the Zimstars Best Male Category is not really a big deal for me.
“What I view as a breakthrough in my career is being recognised by people who will help me climb the ladder and perfect what I do. For instance, I was recently interviewed by a Jamaican presenter from Global Music Review, the people who saw my song Ndeipi on YouTube and are interested in my music.
“The biggest challenge is not getting much shows but that motivates me to work harder so that promoters see it important to include me in major shows. And the other challenge is my stage name, “Real Shona” because people think it has something to do with tribalism hence, I have to always prove myself, perform before I introduce myself so that people love my music before they hate my name.
“I will be releasing a new song in collaboration with Real Kosa from Ghana. There will also be a schools tour where we will go around donating sanitary pads to girls,” he said. —@ruekushie
