Kudzai Sevenzo was plunged into the limelight after she auditioned for Mnet’s reality TV show, Project Fame in which she was chosen as the sole representative for Zimbabwe.
She made it to the penultimate round and shortly after, released her debut album, On a day like this.
The debut album earned her a ZIMA nomination (Zimbabwe Music Awards). She received the “Best New Artist” award at the Celebration Music Awards as well as Nescafe’s “Most Inspiring Female of the year” award that year.
Kudzai once again found herself on the world stage when she was chosen to be Zimbabwe’s anchor for Mnet’s TV magazine programme Studio 53. She had a chance to travel and report on the beautiful cuisine, art and culture of Africa.
Her latest album which received rave reviews, is entitled, Child of Afrika. It has 12 tracks. Kudzai also hosted a radio show for Zimbabwe’s first privately-owned radio station Zi-FM. The exciting breakfast show called “Get Lifted” was a favourite on Sunday mornings.
An outstanding performer and artist Kudzai runs a top jazz band. She has performed at festivals and private functions in Southern Africa and Europe. Her passion is music and film. “I love music and film. People, life experiences – both good and not so good, my highs and lows with my relationship with God, that all inspires my creativity and passion.”
One of her memorable experiences was having breakfast with the first female president of Africa, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia during her stint on Studio 53. She got to “watch” Sirleaf on a normal day, interviewed her and followed her on the job.
One of the highlights of her career includes an AMAA nomination (African Movie Academy Awards) for her lead role in Zimbabwe’s first chick flick, Playing Warriors. She was recently appointed as Proudly Zimbabwean Foundation’s Brand Ambassador.
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The foundation held the BIN-IT campaign, which has been successful in eliminating litter in Zimbabwe cities’ central business districts. She also speaks at various youth groups and press conferences on the danger of litter build-up in communities.
Kudzai was also a spokesperson for Zim Cares for Life, an organisation that shelters teen pregnant girls that are destitute. An ambassador for KidzCan, Kudzai is involved with the trust that helps kids with cancer.
Her music is a fusion of jazz and soul with a powerful influence of African rhythms. Her sultry voice and thought-provoking lyrics draw you in at every performance.
Ella Fitzgerald is one of Kudzai’s all-time favourite jazz musicians. She has also worked with some of Africa’s finest artists including Oliver Mtukudzi, Judith Sephuma and Ringo Madlingozi.
Currently Kudzai is working on a new film that will be produced this year.
If she had not been a musician, Kudzai believes she would have been an interpreter or a translator, “I loved learning new languages,” she says.
