By Sindiso Dube
Versatile artiste Sugar Shane, born Shane Manjelo, says its not all rosy for diaspora-based Zimbabweans and some have to break the law to make ends meet.
Shane tells his story in a song dubbed Waze, an acronym for “words, actions, zeal and energy”.
The song features award-winning hip-hop radio personality, musician and producer Thorne Laroq, who comes in at the beginning of the song with an energetic commentary as a warning and advice to rappers to up their game and fully represent hip-hop.
After spending much of his life in the United Kingdom, Shane decided to permanently relocate to Bulawayo where he started a food outlet and is still pursing music.
He promised to explain more on why he returned from the UK in his upcoming mixtape dubbed Drill Way.
“My brother once told me ‘when poverty becomes an impediment, crime becomes a necessary tool for your development’ and those words stand true today as they were 10 years ago,” he said.
“The song talks about my journey in life, the things I’ve done to survive and everything in between. A lot of people in Zimbabwe think growing up in the UK is glamorous and all they see is the lifestyle you live for the two weeks you are on holiday in Zimbabwe.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
“This song talks about the good, the bad and the ugly. It touches on the times I had to break the law to put food on the table and the feelings of regret which came with that lifestyle while I was in the UK.
“This is the first track of my upcoming mixtape Drill Way and it features vocals from DJ Thorne Laroq from Khulumani FM. The song was recorded, mixed and mastered by Flamers Ent. The video for WAZE was directed by Gil and Len from Ya-Sibo Media and for all those who always wondered why I returned to Zimbabwe from the UK, listen to the mixtape and I’ll break it down for you. Not everything that glitters is gold.”
Sugar Shane has made strides with tracks such as Juluka, Mavuso and Majaivana from his last EP Two Teaspoons fused with hip-hop and kwaito. He is also known for songs such as the hit track Vosho off the Gqom Life album under the group Black Diamond.
