FORMER backing gospel musician Forget Angela Kuvheya is coming into the limelight after supporting renowned gospel singers in the country to stand on her own.
She was a backing vocalist who featured and collaborated with other musicians who have made their names in the gospel arena.
‘‘I have done backing vocals for Blessing Shumba, Rev Chivaviro, Daniel Mhere, Dorcas Moyo, Big Sound Collaboration. I have featured for different artistes, including Byron Mulinga, Tinashe Mupambawashe and Maxwell Machisi, Obert Chari, among others,’’ said Kuvheya, a mother of four, two girls and two boys.
Born on February 2, 1993, in a family of eleven children, she is the last girl out of seven girls.
‘‘My late father loved Chimurenga icon Thomas Mapfumo and this hooked me to traditional music. Through listening to Mapfumo from childhood, I was inspired to sing my own music. I love music very much, especially traditional music is my best genre, though I sing many genres,’’ she said.
Kuvheya attended 2 Bridgade Primary School and Morgan High School in Harare.
‘‘I started singing when I was eight years old as part of a school traditional dance group. I could dance and sing and our coach made me the lead singer in our group. In 2008, I went to Heaven Scrappers studio in Glen Norah B and was recorded by Ereah Alexio Timba that was my first recording in my life). A year later I went to KOM Studios where I was recorded by Oscar Chamba. In 2016, I did my first album called Nguva yaMwari which was recorded by Gibson Makumbe and a year later I did some singles with different producers including Oscar Chamba, Sam Chris, Maselo and Gibson Makumbe,’’ she said.
Kuvheya, who is married to music producer Charles Ayibeki, recorded her second album Murairo.
- Musician Kuvheya lights up from backing vocals
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The third and current new album Ko Dare Rangu Mwari was released in July 2024.
‘‘Many people used to hear me singing gospel music, but I have shifted to jazz and contemporary music. I am well-versed in different genres with different voices. I believe in myself and the latest album is about we are different fruits that ripe in different seasons. I used to clap hands for others now it is my turn to be clapped for. I remain focused on positive things and people. Personally, I don't have time to entertain negative-minded people,’’ she explained.
Dare Rangu Mwari has 15 tracks including the title track, Ndokanyaira, Erina, Dzoka Uchengete Vana, among others.
Ndakarera Ndoga is about real life stories where marriages are breaking up daily due to infidelity, economic and social ills affecting family bondage and communities.
However, the mother of an abused young wife can’t allow the son-in-law to abuse her daughter whom she took care of in the absence of her husband who abandoned the family.
‘‘This song talks of a mother, who is very angry after her daughter was chased away during the night of a cold winter by her husband after being assaulted badly. The son-in-law and his family members tried to make peace with the furious mother-in-law who could have none of it. Such is the sad reality affecting families and communities.
We need to look for amicable solutions to the challenges we face in families and communities,’’ she said.
Personally, I enjoyed Pongwe that refers to a sweet potato weevil.
Kuvheya condemns those with pull him down (PHD) mentality who do not appreciate others’ natural talent but instead try to spoil and soil their name besides good deeds.
‘‘Pongwe is bad news for farmers and in life, we have some who are spoilers and they try to unsettle others during happy moments. These people are trouble makers, causing confusion even at family or communities gatherings. They are a disgrace,’’ she said.
Kuvheya leads a nine member band called Disciplinary Committee and is slowly trying to instil “order and punitive measures” in families and communities.
