Shingai Shoniwa, commissioned by Serious
About the commission
The Noisettes’ Shingai Shoniwa and acclaimed singer-songwriter/producer David Okumu are coming together to create a new vocal work inspired by the values of the 2014 Commonwealth Games. It will be performed by different vocal forces, including community choirs.
Drawing on their African heritage, Shingai and David will create a new piece that crosses cultures and responds to the youthful energy of the Commonwealth.
“It is a great honour to be part of this Commonwealth-inspired project. I’m also thrilled, at long last, to be working with Dave Okumu on what will no doubt be a memorable sonic adventure. I hope that we can touch the hearts of people with the music we create, enriching the experience.” Shingai Shoniwa
“Collaborating with Shingai on a new composition is something I have dreamt of doing for some time now. We both share a breadth of cultural references and interests and a belief in music which reaches out to broad audiences beyond the confines of convention. This is a wonderful opportunity for us to explore the possibilities of making something unique and meaningful.” David Okumu
“Serious is thrilled to be part of the New Music Biennial and to be working with Shingai Shoniwa and David Okumu. For Serious, this is a chance to work again with two artists that we admire hugely and to produce a large scale participatory performance, that has become such a hallmark of our work in recent years.” Serious
More about the composer
With a career that has stretched over eight years, a string of hits already under her belt and a fashion following that could rival Grace Jones, Shingai Shoniwa needs no introduction. Best known as one half of Noisettes, whose hits include Don’t Upset The Rhythm which stormed into the No. 2 spot in the UK charts and Never Forget You.
“We always go that extra mile to give the crowd a night they’ll never forget,” says Shoniwa. No wonder Noisettes were were named “best live band in Britain” by the Guardian in 2012.
Shingai has collaborated with songwriters including Guy Chambers and Will.i.am’s co-writer Jean Paul Baptise.
In 2012, the Noisettes were a highlight of the Africa Stage at BT River of Music, when they collaborated with Grace and Madalo Million from the Jacaranda Orphanage in Malawi. Shingai has participated in Africa Express and her own Zimbabwean heritage is important to her own music-making.
