Sha Sha (singer)

Sha Sha
Born
Charmaine Shamiso Mapimbiro

(1994-07-13) 13 July 1994 (age 30)
Mutare, Zimbabwe
Nationality Zimbabwean
CitizenshipZimbabwean • South African
OccupationSinger-songwriter
Years active2017–present
Musical career
GenresAmapiano
InstrumentVocals
Labels

Charmaine Shamiso Mapimbiro[1] (born 13 July 1994),[2] professionally known as Sha Sha, is a Zimbabwean-born singer-songwriter from Mutare.[3] Hailed by many as the "Queen of amapiano",[4][5][6][7][8] her career began in 2011, at the age of 17 and later was discovered by Audius Mtawarira.[9] She gained popularity for her collaborations with South African amapiano producers such as DJ Maphorisa and Kabza de Small.[6]

Having signed a record deal with Blaq Boy Music, her debut Blossom EP, was released in 2019. She was awarded Best New International Act at the 2020 BET Awards.[10]

Early life and career

1994–2017: Early years and career beginnings

Born in Mutare, Mapimbiro moved around Zimbabwe whilst growing up following her parents' separation, often residing with her grandmother or aunts. Her music journey began after joining the choir, subsequently taking vocal and piano lessons as a child.[11][1]

Whilst a teenager, one of Mapimbiro's friends helped get one of Zimbabwe's biggest radio stations to play her music. This radio airplay was well-received and caught the attention of singer-songwriter Audius Mtawarira, who eventually became her mentor and helped her with improving her craft.[1] With help from Zimbabwean musician Brian Soko in 2017, the duo were connected with South African musicians such Rouge and Priddy Ugly who featured her on their releases.[11] During this time, Sha Sha also crossed paths with DJ Maphorisa through her cab driver. The two began working on ballads together and, with help from the latter, was able to meet future collaborators Mlindo the Vocalist and Don Laka.[11]

2018–2020: Blossom EP

Sha Sha was signed to DJ Maphorisa's label Blaqboy Music in 2018.[8] After gaining prominence with her vocals on the songs "Akulaleki"[12] by Samthing Soweto, "Nge Thanda Wena" by Mlindo The Vocalist and "We Mama" by Scorpion Kings, Sha Sha released her debut EP, Blossom on November 1, 2019.[13]

On December 3, 2020, Sha Sha released the single "Woza".[14]

2021-present: I'm Alive

Towards the end of the June 2022, she signed a management deal with Black Major.[15][16]

"Ungowami" featuring DJ Soa Mattrix was released on July 7, 2022, as album's lead single off her debut studio album I'm Alive which was set to be released on 26 August.[17]

The album was released on September 23, 2022, in South Africa.[18]

Discography

Studio albums

  • I'm Alive (2022)

Extended plays

Singles

As lead artist

List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
ZA
"Woza" 2020 —
"Light Up" (Killer tunes, Sha Sha, Like Mike) 2021 —
"iPiano" (Sha Sha, Kamo Mphela featuring Felo Le Tee) —
"Ndawana" (Sha Sha, Kelvin Momo, Sykes) 2024 — Non-album single
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.
List of singles as featured artist, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
ZA
"10K Yey'nkomo" (Aymos, Mas Musiq, Samthing Soweto featuring Sha Sha) 2024 — Impilo
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Awards and nominations

Award Year Recipient(s) and nominee(s) Category Result Ref.
BET Awards 2020 Herself Best New International Act Won [20]
South African Music Awards 2020 "Akulaleki" (with Samthing Soweto, DJ Maphorisa and Kabza De Small) Record of the Year Nominated [21]
Best Collaboration
Love You Tonight (with MFR Souls, DJ Maphorisa and Kabza De Small)
"Tender Love" (with DJ Maphorisa and Kabza De Small)
Herself Rest of Africa Artist
2020 African Entertainment Awards USA 2020 Herself Best Female Artist Nominated [22]
MTV Africa Music Awards 2021 Herself Best Breakthrough Act Pending [23]
SA Amapiano Music Awards 2021 Herself Best female amapiano artist Nominated [24][25][26]
Best Amapiano Live Vocal Performance Nominated
Best Amapinao Vocalist Nominated
All Africa Music Awards Herself Best Female Artist in South Africa Nominated [27]
Zimbabwe Music Awards 2022 Herself Best Dance Nominated [28]
Best International Zimbabwean Artist Nominated
Best Female Artist Nominated

References

  1. ^ a b c Nemasetoni, Dakalo (9 April 2020). "Singer Sha Sha on her rise to fame: "I didn't always know I could sing"". News24. ISSN 1563-5538. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
  2. ^ Sha Sha [@ShaShaOfficial_] (13 July 2016). "It's my birthday yyyeeeyy!!!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  3. ^ Kgobotlo, Boitumelo (6 November 2019). "Sha Sha blossoms with her debut EP". Sunday World. ISSN 1561-123X. Retrieved 4 July 2020. '25-year old'
  4. ^ Ndlovu, Bruce (17 June 2020). "Hail the queen of Amapiano... The rise of Zim's Sha Sha". Sunday News Zimbabwe. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
  5. ^ Murimwa, Chengetai (4 July 2020). "Amapiano Queen Sha-Sha says she was suppose to be a nurse". Zimbabwe Voice. Archived from the original on 4 July 2020. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
  6. ^ a b Zwane, Nokuthula (29 June 2020). "Amapiano Queen Sha Sha bags first international award". Sunday World. ISSN 1561-123X. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
  7. ^ Tjiya, Emmanuel (30 June 2020). "Sha Sha blown over by prestigious BET award". The Sowetan. ISSN 1016-3697. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
  8. ^ a b Zeeman, Kyle (29 June 2020). "'Taking 'yano to the world'- Zimbabwean amapiano star Sha Sha wins a BET". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
  9. ^ "How South Africa's Sha Sha is Bringing Amapiano Music into the Future". Billboard. 12 March 2021.
  10. ^ Alutho, Mbendeni (29 June 2020). "Sha Sha bags a BET award for best new international act". News24. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
  11. ^ a b c Mathebula, Kwanele (15 November 2019). "5 minutes with singer Sha Sha". Bona Magazine. ISSN 0302-7244. Archived from the original on 4 July 2020. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
  12. ^ "Samthing Soweto Akulaleki". iminathi. 3 August 2019. Retrieved 10 November 2019.
  13. ^ "Sha Sha Blossom EP". iminathi. 31 October 2019. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
  14. ^ Shumba, Ano (4 December 2020). "Watch Woza by Sha Sha | Music In Africa". Music In Africa.
  15. ^ Shumba, Ano (23 June 2022). "Sha Sha joins SA artist management company Black Major". Music in Africa. Retrieved 11 July 2022.
  16. ^ "BET winner and Amapiano chart-topper Sha Sha joins the Black Major family". Black Major. Retrieved 11 July 2022.
  17. ^ Major, Michael (7 July 2021). "Sha Sha Shares New Single 'Ungowami' Feat. DJ Soa Mattrix". Retrieved 11 July 2022.
  18. ^ Shumba, Ano (23 September 2022). "SA: Sha Sha drops I'm Alive album | Music In Africa". Music In Africa. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
  19. ^ "Sha Sha Blossom EP". iminathi. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
  20. ^ Yoo, Noah (29 June 2020). "BET Awards 2020: The Full Winners List". Pitchfork. ISSN 2574-2183. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
  21. ^ "SAMA26 nominations unearth fresh new gems". Mzansi Magic - SAMA26 nominations unearth fresh new gems. 17 July 2020. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
  22. ^ llado, Lucy (22 December 2020). "Africa Entertainment Awards USA 2020: All the winners | Music In Africa".
  23. ^ "Here Are the 2021 MTV Africa Music Awards Nominees". OkayAfrica. 11 December 2020. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  24. ^ "SA Amapiano Music Awards: Look who's been nominated!". thesouthafrican.com. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
  25. ^ Shumba, Ano (21 July 2021). "SA Amapiano Music Awards 2021: All the nominees". Music In Africa.
  26. ^ Shumba, Ano. "SA Amapiano Music Awards 2021: All the winners | Music In Africa". Music In Africa. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  27. ^ Hansen, Gabriel Myers. "All Africa Music Awards 2021: All the nominees | Music In Africa". Music In Africa. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  28. ^ Shumba, Ano (21 February 2022). "Zimbabwe Music Awards 2022: All the winners | Music In Africa". Music In Africa. Retrieved 27 February 2022.