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Sipepisiwe Moyo, [email protected]

Barbara Ntombizodwa Dube, a Zimbabwean gospel musician based in South Africa, popularly known as Mai Tanaka has risen to stardom with her single, “Nyasha”’ which trended widely on social media towards the end of last year.

In an interview, Mai Tanaka, who hails from Gweru, revealed her passion for singing began during her primary school years.

She cited gospel icons such as Dorcas Moyo, Shingisai Suluma and South African legend Rebecca Malope as her inspirations.

Her stage name, Mai Tanaka, reflects her personal reality and her close bond with her son, Tanaka.

“I chose the name Mai Tanaka because it represents who I am. I want my music to be a genuine reflection of myself.”

Interestingly, Mai Tanaka ventured into the music industry last year and already, her music has resonated with audiences. This has led to numerous private bookings for events such as weddings, parties and bridal showers. She considers these opportunities the highlights of her career so far.

“I started singing when I was in primary school, but it was only last year that I ventured fully into the music industry,” she said.

“I released my first singles, Nyasha and Vavengi, blending gospel with dancehall.”

Her music explores themes of love, self-discovery and personal growth.

“My lyrics are inspired by personal experiences, observations of the world and my imagination. I hope to impact my listeners by providing them with a sense of comfort, inspiration and connection,” she explained.

Despite her growing popularity, Mai Tanaka acknowledged the challenges she faces as an emerging artiste.

“My songs carry messages of hope, self-empowerment and perseverance. However, I’ve had to deal with self-doubt, the pressure to constantly produce new content and keeping up with the ever-evolving music industry. The lows have also included moments of rejection, criticism and struggling with creative blocks,” she shared.

Dr Rebecca Malope

Her journey in music continues to gain momentum and she expressed gratitude for the positive reception of her debut single, Nyasha, which has been praised for its unique sound and meaningful lyrics.

“I’m working on a new single, which is expected to be released before March this year,” she said.

“I also look forward to performing at a concert in Harare, which was postponed, but I’m hopeful for a new date soon.”