Zimbabwean singer, songwriter and musician Gemma Griffiths has revealed the accompanying video to ‘Ndinewe – TZ Remix’, featuring two of Tanzania’s finest artists Linex and Barakah The Prince.
The video is a #Covid19 approved collaboration between an incredible team, Shawn Ogulu filming in Durban – South Africa and Director Ivan filming in Dar es Salam. The Bad Boyz Dance Crew (Zimbabwe).
The conversation began with Gemma contributing some Zimbabwean flavour to Dunia, the EP by Linex – on the track entitled ‘Who I Am’. The artist popularly known as the VOA (Voice Of Africa) responded with some Tanzanian spice to the ‘Ndinewe – TZ Remix’.
He says, “ I am so passionate about my country – Tanzania, and Gemma has that same energy for Zimbabwe. This is why collaborating has been so much fun for both of us as we share the same values. I can’t wait to come to Zimbabwe.”
According to Barakah The Prince, “The language of Shona and Swahili are similar and when I heard the original version of the track, it was as though I already understood it. Music does this and I am blessed to be able to connect the dots with this remix with Gemma and on her birthday too.”
The video follows the audio announced on Gemma’s birthday – September 1 and has achieved over 200K combined audio and video streams to date. Produced by the multi-talented British based Zimbabwean producer and artist – Charlie Kay, (Gemma Griffiths / Ammara Brown / Shingai) and retaining the original guitar riffs by the talented Mattlixcs, the title of the track loosely translates as ‘I am with you’.
Gemma began a 500 day journey across Africa in December 2018 to write and record music for her forthcoming EP. Accompanied by Marc Neilson, her creative director and celebrated film-maker, the journey covered over 24,000 kilometers through 10 different countries in a Landrover Defender, which was remodeled to contain her studio complete with instruments. The trip saw them both live in the vehicle, meeting musicians and connecting with them over a period of 18 months. From the impenetrable forest of Bwindi, Uganda, to the Tanzanian mountains, the Mozambican Archipelago islands, and the Namibian desert, this journey of two artists and a vision is nothing short of spectacular and the result was ‘Ndinewe’, filmed in all 10 countries and serving as the perfect introduction.
Watch the original video for ‘Ndinewe’ below
Released in May, it has had over a million audio and video streams combined. Supported by Zimbabwean radio across the board from the likes of ZiFm Stereo, Star FM, Power FM and Capitalk, the track received extra love from the UK via RinseFM and BeatLondon, and plays in Malawi, Kenya and Tanzania.
“I have always seen the most incredible connections formed when making music collaboratively. It brings a unity not only amongst the musicians but the listeners too. It is a privilege to bring a piece of beautiful Zimbabwe to connect with a piece of Tanzania,” said Gemma.
Gemma’s forthcoming EP is set for release later this year.
Listen to ‘Ndinewe TZ Remix’ below
Leave a Reply