Diana Samkange ups Mangwenya brand
By Sophia Chese
Musician Diana Samkange, who has rebranded her name to Mangwenya, is set to launch her album next month.
The album will be her fourth album after “My First Diary”, “Kumagumo Erudo” and “Kumaziva Ndadzoka”.
Mangwenya said the six track album is set to differentiate Diana Samkange and Mangwenya.
“This album is set to introduce the Mangwenya feel, that type of music that will differentiate Diana Samkange and the new Mangwenya in terms of sound and message,” she said.
She said she is done with the album and is now concentrating on administrative issues for the launch.
“The album is done, we are just sourcing for funds to launch it and hopefully by the first week of July we will be able to launch it,” she said. The album carries two bonus tracks.
“The entire album has eight tracks because I have included the two singles which we released earlier, ‘Mwene Wemoyo’ and ‘Tikure Murudo’ a collaboration I did with Prince Kudakwashe Msarurwa,” she said.
Titled “Mationesa” some of the tracks on the album are the title track “Mationesa”, “Matero” and “Kwayedza.
Meanwhile, Mangwenya said she will be playing some of her new tracks at her Thursday slots at Bar Rouge at Long Cheng Plaza in the capital.
She added that she will also be launching Mangwenya Mentorship programme during the launch of her album.
“I am going to be mentoring upcoming artistes and these artistes will be opening acts during my live performances, these include my Thursday slots,” she said.
Diana Samkange rose to fame as a member of 2BG, an urban grooves outfit, that thrived on love songs back in 2004. The group later on disbanded when group member Blush relocated to South Africa.
She then joined Chigutiro Recording Stable and embarked on a solo career that saw her release hits like “Chitsidzo”.
She then switched genres and adopted jazz, with success.
“Kumagomo Erudo” became her hit after it managed to transcend age and social barriers because of its unashamedly romantic slant.
Mangwenya is married to businessperson and football promoter Calvin “Curry Pie” Nyazema with whom she has one child, Wandipa.
She also has interests in the catering and events management. The Herald
