Shungudzo Explained

Shungudzo
Birth Date:12 May 1987
Birth Place:Laie, Hawaii, U.S.
Birth Name:Alexandra Shungudzo Govere
Origin:Bikita, Zimbabwe
Genre:Pop, folk, rock, alternative
Occupation:Singer
Years Active:2010–present
Label:Independent
Associated Acts:Kerry Brothers Jr., Yuna

Alexandra Shungudzo Govere, better known as Shungudzo, is a Zimbabwean-American singer and reality television personality. She first attracted media attention by being the first black female gymnast to represent Zimbabwe in artistic gymnastics at the 1999 All-Africa Games, and later by co-founding the Kijana Project, which provides relief for AIDS orphans. She later gained wide media attention as a cast member on the 2011 season of The Real World: San Diego.

Early life

Alexandra Govere was born in the United States and grew up in a rural village in Zimbabwe that was home to straw-covered mud huts, and did not have electricity or running water.[1] She is of Zimbabwean, French, and Amerindian descent. Her family eventually relocated to California, and as of the 1990’s, she was living in Oregon.[2]

Career

Ballet, gymnastics and education

Govere practiced dancing and ballet, and according to her, became the first female of color to be on the Zimbabwe National Gymnastics Team at age 9. Her parents, both of whom are college graduates, encouraged her in her studies as well. She studied calculus at age 10, and finished high school by 14. She later attended Stanford University, where she studied civil engineering.[1] [3] [4]

Govere was the first black female artistic gymnast to represent Zimbabwe at the 1999 All-Africa Games in Johannesburg.[5] [6] She was also the youngest member of the 162-member team.

Charity work

In 1997, Govere began collecting clothing for orphans who lost their parents to AIDS.[7] By 2002, the Kijana Project,[8] as it came to be called, had expanded to an international organization run by then-15-year-old Govere and her sister Saunsuray, consisting of 50 members who aided orphans in six different countries, raising money for clothing, toys and school supplies, as well as paying for the education of some AIDS orphans. Govere was spurred to this work after witnessing many of her childhood classmates affected by AIDS, and seeing the rising number of orphans living on the streets of Harare. In 2000, she worked with her sister in collecting money for Red Cross flood relief in Mozambique. For breaking the color barrier in artistic gymnastics, and for her humanitarian work, Govere was designated a Disney-UNESCO Millennium Dreamers Ambassador.[9]

Music and television

While attending Stanford University, Govere was discovered by Alicia Keys' Grammy Award-winning producer, Kerry "Krucial" Brothers, who had heard some songs Govere placed on MySpace for her mother to hear. Although she initially met with Brothers with the intent to be a songwriter, he made her sing vocals, and recognized her talent. With him, she released a mixtape, "Love is 4 Suckaz/I'm a Sucka 4 Love", some songs from which are available on YouTube. Brass magazine describes the mixtape as "a high-wattage soup of synthetic beats and heavy post-production mixing", whose lyrics focus on the themes of love, jealousy, revenge and anti-consumerism. Describing Govere's voice, Brandon Goldner of Brass says, "[Her voice] can range from bright and flute-like to a rougher, almost smoky honesty" Although Govere planned to debut a 2011 album with Krucial,[10] [11] She announced in October 2011 that she left Krucial to take the independent route.[12] [13] She has co-written a number of hit songs such as Little Mix's "Touch" and Louisa Johnson's "Best Behaviour",[14] and has released a song on the Fifty Shades Freed soundtrack.[15] In 2018, she released her latest single, "Paper".[16]

Govere was a cast member on MTV's The Real World: San Diego, which aired in 2011.[17] Govere was also a writer, host, and correspondent for both MTV Act and MTV Voices.[18] [19]

"I'm not a mother, but I have children"

Shungudzo released "It's a good day (to fight the system)", the first single from her debut album by Svikiro Records/Young Forever/BMG on October 30, 2020, as part of her three-track manifesto "I (motsi)". According to American Songwriter, "good day" is "a bold genre-defying anthem that balances passionate proclamations with sunny guitar and horn arrangements and stacked harmonies."[20] Shungudzo followed up "good day" with the singles "To be me", which premiered on Paper video on February 2, 2021;[21]) "There's only so much a soul can take" (song premiere on Zane Lowe's Apple Music 1 radio show and video premiere on FLOOD[22]), "White parents" (premiere on Consequence of Sound on April 14, 2021[23]), and the title track "I'm not a mother, but I have children." For "it's a good day" and "There's only so much a soul can take", Shungudzo was recognized as an "emerging artist to watch for in 2021" by People.[24] Hailed by Zane Lowe as "completely unique and individual" and as an artist to "match up with asap" by Essence,[25] "Shungudzo isn't putting up with the bullshit anymore" (Refinery29).[26]

Shungudzo performed "There's only so much a soul can take" on the June 9, 2021, episode of Full Frontal with Samantha Bee.[27]

Personal life

As of 2011, Govere was living in Los Angeles with her boyfriend, Byron, whom she began seeing eight months prior to filming The Real World.[28] Their relationship was depicted in episode 4 of that season when he visited her at the season residence.[29]

Discography

Singles

As lead artist

TitleYearPeak
chart
positions
Album
US
AAA

[30]
"Long Live the Billionaire"2017rowspan="3"
"Paper"2018
"Freedom for my People"[31]
(with Oliver Heldens)
2020
"It's a good day (to fight the system)"39I'm not a mother, but I have children
"To be me"2021
"There's only so much a soul can take"
"White parents"
"I'm not a mother, but I have children"
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

As featured artist

TitleYearAlbum
"Roll with Me"
2017
"Bicycle"
Bicycle EP
"Spare Gold"
2018Rejuvenate
"Just a Little"
"Toast to Our Differences"
Toast to Our Differences
"Roll with Me"
"Ice Cream Man"
Rejuvenate
"Fire in My Soul"
"Weightless"
2019Between Us
"Back to Life"
Synthetic Soul
"How Could I Ever?"
2020
"We'll Always Have This Dance "
"How Could I Ever?"
2021
"Gimme Your Love "
"Choose Love"
Mother Nature
"Meant for Me "

Guest appearances

Title! scope="col"
YearOther artist(s)Album
"Complicated"2017BantuAfrica for the Summer EP
"Ougadougou"BC UnidosBicycle EP
"Come on Back"2018ShungudzoFifty Shades Freed: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Songwriting credits

TitleYearArtist(s)AlbumWritten with
"Touch"2016Little MixGlory DaysHanni Ibrahim, Patrick Patrikios, Philip Plested
"Not That Girl"2017GirliFeel Ok EPMilly Toomey
"Best Behaviour"LouisaThomas Barnes, Peter Kelleher, Benjamin Kohn, Daniel Parker
"It Won't Kill Ya"
The ChainsmokersMemories...Do Not OpenAndrew Taggart, Samuel Martin
"Stay Awake, Wait for Me"Jessie WareGlasshouseJessica Ware, Ajay Bhattacharya, Daniel Parker
"Your Domino"Jessica Ware, Ajay Bhattacharya, Daniel Parker, Daniel Sinclair
"Love to Love"Jessica Ware, Ajay Bhattacharya, Daniel Parker
"Wish I Never Met You"2018Victoria MonétLife After Love, Pt 1Victoria McCants, Maurice "Verse" Simmonds
"Way Down"Forever NeverlandKaren Marie Ørsted, Ajay Bhattacharya, Letter Mbulu, Caiphus Semenya
"Overtime"Jessie WareJessica Ware, Daniel Parker, James Ford, Andy Ferguson, Matthew McBriar
"Joan of Arc"Little MixLM5Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Jade Thirlwall, Hanni Ibrahim, Patrick Patrikios, Philip Plested
"Wasabi"Jade Thirlwall, Uzoechi Emenike, Mike Sabath
"Notice"Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Jade Thirlwall, Mike Sabath
"Forevermore"2019YunaRougeYuna Zara'ai, Robin Hannibal
"(Not) The Love of My Life"Yuna Zara'ai, Robin Hannibal
"Forget About You"Yuna Zara'ai, Robin Hannibal
"Back to Life"ChiiildSynthetic SoulYonatan Ayal, Pierre-Luc Rioux, Isabelle Dunn
"Hands Off Me"2020Yonatan Ayal, Pierre-Luc Rioux, Isabelle Dunn, Lauren Malyon
"Do Me Wrong"ASLLove CenterLiza Owen, John Ryan II, Julian Bunetta, Andrew Haas, Ian Franzino
"Elevate"Liza Owen, John Ryan II, Julian Bunetta, Andrew Haas, Ian Franzino
"Bite the Pillow"Liza Owen, John Ryan II, Julian Bunetta, Andrew Haas, Ian Franzino
"Night Owl"Liza Owen, John Ryan II, Julian Bunetta, Andrew Haas, Ian Franzino
"Boys Can Swim"Liza Owen, John Ryan II, Julian Bunetta, Andrew Haas, Ian Franzino
"Spotlight"Jessie WareWhat's Your Pleasure?Jessica Ware, Daniel Parker, James Ford
"What's Your Pleasure?"Jessica Ware, Daniel Parker, James Ford
"Ooh La La"Jessica Ware, Daniel Parker, James Ford,
"Soul Control"Jessica Ware, Daniel Parker, James Ford, Morgan Geist
"Save a Kiss"Jessica Ware, Daniel Parker, James Ford
"Remember Who You Are"Jessica Ware, Daniel Parker, James Ford
"Kiss of Life"2021Kylie Minogue and Jessie WareDisco: Guest List EditionKylie Minogue, Jessica Ware, James Ford, Danny Parker

Notes and References

  1. Goldner, Brandon. "Sing. Dance. Write. Andra Govere: The most amazing 20-something you haven't heard of. Yet…" . Brass magazine. May 2, 2011
  2. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3812/is_200005/ai_n8894229/?tag=mantle_skin;content "Ready for their world: Two teens with the right stuff join the global party"
  3. Web site: Real World: San Diego: Cast: Alexandra. MTV. en-US. dead. 2011. September 30, 2011. October 1, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20111001071027/http://www.mtv.com/shows/real_world/san_diego/cast_member.jhtml?personalityId=15044.
  4. Note: Sources conflict on whether she graduated. The Brass article indicates she graduated with a civil engineering degree, though her MTV.com bio indicates she dropped out eight weeks prior to graduation.
  5. http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk/entertainment/music-and-dance/33117/zim-songstress-causes-a-stir.html "Zim songstress causes a stir"
  6. Johnson, Steve. "Zimbabwean Gymnast Makes History". AllAfrica.com. October 25, 1999
  7. Web site: Govere's worldwide program continues to assist AIDS orphans The Paly Voice. https://web.archive.org/web/20110929000145/http://voice.paly.net/node/13599. dead. September 29, 2011. September 29, 2011. August 27, 2018.
  8. Olson, Linnea. "The Kids Are Alright". Elle Girl Sep–Oct 2003. page 141. Google Books. Retrieved August 4, 2011.
  9. Web site: NOTE TO CORRESPONDENTS 'MILLENNIUM DREAMERS' DELEGATES TO BE ANNOUNCED. United Nations. March 20, 2000. United Nations.
  10. http://pumpthebeat.com/?p=1950 "Album: "Love is 4 Suckaz / I'm A Sucka 4 Love" by Andra"
  11. http://dubstepsource.com/andra-ft-lupe-fiasco-white-swans-2/ "Andra ft. Lupe Fiasco – White Swans"
  12. Govere, Alexandra."Music & Things" . Too Sweet To Be Bitter. October 7, 2011
  13. Govere, Alexandra. "Music & Things". Facebook. October 7, 2011
  14. Web site: Shungudzo. Big Deal Music. 2018. Big DEal Music.
  15. Web site: Shungudzo unleashes new promotional single 'Come On Back'. Hamada Mania Music. Hamada Mania Music. April 4, 2018. May 30, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190530080158/https://hamadamania.com/2018/02/10/shungudzo-unleashes-new-promotional-single-come-on-back/. dead.
  16. Web site: Marotta, Michael. Shungudzo just dropped one of the catchiest songs of 2018 in 'Paper'. August 31, 2018. Vanyaland.
  17. Web site: JUST IN: Zim artistic gymnast fight racism . . May 31, 2022 . Jan 28, 2021.
  18. http://act.mtv.com/posts/author/goverea/ "Alexandra Govere"
  19. http://voices.mtv.co.uk/author/alexandra-govere/ "Alexandra Govere"
  20. Web site: Bringin' It Backwards: Interview with Shungudzo . American Songwriter . December 25, 2020 . June 18, 2021.
  21. Web site: Moran . Justin . Shungudzo Wants a World Where It's Safe to Be Black . Paper. February 2, 2021 . June 18, 2021.
  22. Web site: Farrell . Margaret . Shungudzo Warns to Protect our Energy on "There's Only so Much a Soul Can Take" . Flood Magazine . June 18, 2021.
  23. Web site: Kaye . Ben . Shungudzo Shares the Origins of New Single "White parents": Stream . Consequence of Sound . April 14, 2021 . June 18, 2021.
  24. Web site: Mier . Tomás . Meet the Talented Emerging Artists Making Their Mark on the Musical Landscape in 2021 . People. Meredith . June 18, 2021.
  25. Web site: Clark . Kevin . Houston's Own Peyton Is All About Black Women Excellence . Essence . April 27, 2021 . June 18, 2021.
  26. Web site: Komonibo . Ineye . New Music To Know: Doja Cat Heads Back To The "Streets" & Rosé Goes Solo . Refinery29 . June 18, 2021.
  27. Web site: Shungudzo Performs 'There's only so much a soul can take'. https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211214/GsbE0uJKHYc . December 14, 2021 . live. Full Frontal with Samantha Bee. YouTube. June 18, 2021.
  28. Web site: Real World San Diego Ep. 1 First Impressions MTV. https://web.archive.org/web/20120624043800/http://www.mtv.com/videos/real-world-san-diego-ep-1-first-impressions/1671710/playlist.jhtml. dead. June 24, 2012. . June 24, 2012. August 27, 2018.
  29. Web site: Real World San Diego: Ep. 4: Hair-Razing Arguments And Sticky Situations. https://web.archive.org/web/20121122110207/http://www.mtv.com/videos/real-world-san-diego-ep-4-hair-razing-arguments-and-sticky-situations/1672818/playlist.jhtml. dead. November 22, 2012. MTV. November 22, 2012. August 27, 2018.
  30. Shungudzo Triple A Airplay Chart History. October 27, 2021. Billboard.
  31. Web site: Sweeney . Farrell . December 19, 2020 . Oliver Heldens and Shungudzo reunite for euphoric release, 'Freedom for my People' . https://web.archive.org/web/20201228095458/https://dancingastronaut.com/2020/12/oliver-heldens-and-shungudzo-reunite-for-euphoric-release-freedom-for-my-people/ . December 28, 2020 . December 28, 2020 . Dancing Astronaut.