Meet the man behind Shinsoman’s success

By Peter Matika, recently in Vic Falls

MUSICIANS usually hog the limelight when it comes to fame. Countless stories about their rise to stardom are chronicled in newspapers, magazines, radio and TV documentaries, while little is said about the people behind their success.

ZimDancehall kingpin Shinsoman’s manager Peter Chiyangwa recently spoke about Shinsoman’s success in the music industry, stating that he was the man behind his success.

“I have been with Shinsoman for a while now and whether it is known or not I am the man behind his success. I am his backbone and pillar, we are a team,” he said.

Chiyangwa also revealed that he had composed some of Shinsoman’s hit tracks, such as Mawaya Waya.

“I have even composed some of his hit tracks. Presently we are working on his latest project, which will be released soon. Of course I can’t sing but he is able to and as his manager and friend I do want to see him rise to become the best.

“I sometimes compose some of his tracks, which of course he refines to suit his style,” said Chiyangwa.

Chiyangwa added that he was not seeking fame but wanted people to know that there was a lot behind a musician’s success.

“It is not easy for an artiste to manage himself, slotting in shows, making appearances, travelling across the country and beyond. That all needs the work of a manager,” he said.

Shinsoman is a popular Zimbabwe reggae/dancehall artiste who rose to fame in 2013 with his hit song Mawaya Waya.

He is also affectionately known as the Dancehall Father mainly due to the reference to the term in his song Pool Party.

Shinsoman, born Tinashe Romeo Anthony on 25 August 1988, is married and has one child named Devante; hence the popular reference Baba Devante.

Before he ventured into music Shinsoman was a junior football player at Dynamos Football Club, which explains his fascination and addiction to football.

Shinsoman had been in the music industry before, featuring on many other artistes’ songs.

He once featured on Sanii Makhalima’s smash hit Zvachose. The collaboration gave him the much needed exposure that many people began to notice.

He had started singing in 2009 but his music did not see the light of day on any radio station.

The dancehall sensation went on to be signed by Heshi Mufeshi Records. Under the label, Shinsoman released hits singles Mawaya Waya and Bata Panorwadza.

It is his unique husky voice that had made him a force to reckon with in the tightly contested Zim dancehall genre.

Shinsoman broke new ground by becoming one of the few dancehall chanters to sing alongside a live band.

He unveiled his band in March 2014.

In 2013 he was reported to have suffered a mental condition in December leading to him being hospitalised in South Africa.

Shinsoman, however, rubbished the claims saying the claims were made by people bent on destroying his career. He went on to release a single Takupenga on the 2014 New Year’s Eve to squash the reports. Sunday News