Ms. Shally to oversee BET International events, pledges to uplift Zim talent

Entertainment entrepreneur Ms. Shally has been chosen by BET International to organize the BET International event leading up to the prestigious BET Awards in Los Angeles.

This role extends beyond the single event, with Ms. Shally also overseeing concerts on a global scale specifically designed to bridge the gap between African and American cultures.

News of Ms. Shally’s selection comes alongside a photo she posted on her Instagram brainstorming with music industry veterans Timbaland, Michael Blackson, and Matt, hinting at the high-caliber collaborations to come.

Expressing her enthusiasm, Ms. Shally posed a question that has Zimbabwean artists buzzing: “Which Zimbabwean artist do you think will be added to the star-studded BET International platform event?”

In an interview with Nehanda Radio, Ms. Shally acknowledged the current dominance of Nigerian and South African artists in the African music scene.

However, she emphasised her unique position as the first African promoter selected for this role, and her Zimbabwean heritage: “I was born in Zimbabwe and raised in South Africa. So, I would really love to incorporate the Zimbabwean side because that’s my roots.”

Ms. Shally’s seeks to showcase a sound that is authentically Zimbabwean: “We can be able to put our genre in the market… So, I would really love to add an artist which represents a Zimbabwean sound not trying to borrow other people’s sounds.”

According to her, the upcoming events promise a fusion of cultures. Describing a June showcase, Ms. Shally explained, “We gonna have Africans by only invites… The rest of the 500 tickets are strictly by invitation. So, we are going to have Americans and Africans performing. So we’re gonna have all these different cultures under one roof.”

She added that the upcoming events have the potential to not only celebrate established artists but also to launch the careers of talented Zimbabwean musicians onto the international stage.