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Shungudzo
Background information
Birth nameAlexandra Shungudzo Govere
Born (1987-05-12) May 12, 1987 (age 37)
Laie, Hawaii, U.S.
OriginBikita, Zimbabwe
GenresPop, folk, rock, alternative
OccupationSinger
Years active2010–present
LabelsIndependent

Alexandra Shungudzo Govere, better known as Shungudzo, is a Zimbabwean-American singer and reality television personality. She first attracted media attention by being the first black female gymnast to represent Zimbabwe in artistic gymnastics at the 1999 All-Africa Games, and later by co-founding the Kijana Project, which provides relief for AIDS orphans. She later gained wide media attention as a cast member on the 2011 season of The Real World: San Diego.

Early life

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Alexandra Govere was born in the United States and grew up in a rural village in Zimbabwe that was home to straw-covered mud huts, and did not have electricity or running water.[1] She is of Zimbabwean, French, and Amerindian descent. Her family eventually relocated to California,[citation needed] and as of the 1990’s, she was living in Oregon.[2]

Career

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Ballet, gymnastics and education

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Govere practiced dancing and ballet, and according to her, became the first female of color to be on the Zimbabwe National Gymnastics Team at age 9. Her parents, both of whom are college graduates, encouraged her in her studies as well. She studied calculus at age 10, and finished high school by 14. She later attended Stanford University, where she studied civil engineering.[1][3][4]

Govere was the first black female artistic gymnast to represent Zimbabwe at the 1999 All-Africa Games in Johannesburg.[5][6] She was also the youngest member of the 162-member team.[6]

Charity work

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In 1997, Govere began collecting clothing for orphans who lost their parents to AIDS.[7] By 2002, the Kijana Project,[8] as it came to be called, had expanded to an international organization run by then-15-year-old Govere and her sister Saunsuray, consisting of 50 members who aided orphans in six different countries, raising money for clothing, toys and school supplies, as well as paying for the education of some AIDS orphans.[7] Govere was spurred to this work after witnessing many of her childhood classmates affected by AIDS, and seeing the rising number of orphans living on the streets of Harare.[3] In 2000, she worked with her sister in collecting money for Red Cross flood relief in Mozambique.[2][8] For breaking the color barrier in artistic gymnastics, and for her humanitarian work, Govere was designated a Disney-UNESCO Millennium Dreamers Ambassador.[9]

Music and television

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Shungudzo performing on a public beach in Malibu, California

While attending Stanford University, Govere was discovered by Alicia Keys' Grammy Award-winning producer, Kerry "Krucial" Brothers, who had heard some songs Govere placed on MySpace for her mother to hear. Although she initially met with Brothers with the intent to be a songwriter, he made her sing vocals, and recognized her talent.[1] With him, she released a mixtape, "Love is 4 Suckaz/I'm a Sucka 4 Love", some songs from which are available on YouTube. Brass magazine describes the mixtape as "a high-wattage soup of synthetic beats and heavy post-production mixing", whose lyrics focus on the themes of love, jealousy, revenge and anti-consumerism.[1] Describing Govere's voice, Brandon Goldner of Brass says, "[Her voice] can range from bright and flute-like to a rougher, almost smoky honesty" Although Govere planned to debut a 2011 album with Krucial,[1][10][11] She announced in October 2011 that she left Krucial to take the independent route.[12][13] She has co-written a number of hit songs such as Little Mix's "Touch" and Louisa Johnson's "Best Behaviour",[14] and has released a song on the Fifty Shades Freed soundtrack.[15] In 2018, she released her latest single, "Paper".[16]

Govere was a cast member on MTV's The Real World: San Diego, which aired in 2011.[17] Govere was also a writer, host, and correspondent for both MTV Act and MTV Voices.[18][19]

"I'm not a mother, but I have children"

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Shungudzo released "It's a good day (to fight the system)", the first single from her debut album by Svikiro Records/Young Forever/BMG on October 30, 2020, as part of her three-track manifesto "I (motsi)". According to American Songwriter, "good day" is "a bold genre-defying anthem that balances passionate proclamations with sunny guitar and horn arrangements and stacked harmonies."[20] Shungudzo followed up "good day" with the singles "To be me", which premiered on Paper video on February 2, 2021;[21]) "There's only so much a soul can take" (song premiere on Zane Lowe's Apple Music 1 radio show and video premiere on FLOOD[22]), "White parents" (premiere on Consequence of Sound on April 14, 2021[23]), and the title track "I'm not a mother, but I have children." For "it's a good day" and "There's only so much a soul can take", Shungudzo was recognized as an "emerging artist to watch for in 2021" by People.[24] Hailed by Zane Lowe as "completely unique and individual" and as an artist to "match up with asap" by Essence,[25] "Shungudzo isn't putting up with the bullshit anymore" (Refinery29).[26]

Shungudzo performed "There's only so much a soul can take" on the June 9, 2021, episode of Full Frontal with Samantha Bee.[27]

Personal life

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As of 2011, Govere was living in Los Angeles with her boyfriend, Byron, whom she began seeing eight months prior to filming The Real World.[3][28] Their relationship was depicted in episode 4 of that season when he visited her at the season residence.[29]

Discography

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Albums

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Title Year
"I'm not a mother, but I have children" 2021

Singles

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As lead artist

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Title Year Peak
chart
positions 		Album
US
AAA
[30]
"Long Live the Billionaire" 2017 — Non-album singles
"Paper" 2018 —
"Freedom for my People"[31]
(with Oliver Heldens) 		2020 —
"It's a good day (to fight the system)" 39 I'm not a mother, but I have children
"To be me" 2021 —
"There's only so much a soul can take" —
"White parents" —
"I'm not a mother, but I have children" —
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.
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Title Year Album
"Roll with Me"
(Bantu featuring Shungudzo) 		2017 Non-album single
"Bicycle"
(BC Unidos featuring Shungudzo) 		Bicycle EP
"Spare Gold"
(Paul White featuring Shungudzo) 		2018 Rejuvenate
"Just a Little"
(Bantu featuring Shungudzo) 		TBA
"Toast to Our Differences"
(Rudimental featuring Shungudzo, Protoje and Hak Baker) 		Toast to Our Differences
"Roll with Me"
(Bantu and Jonas Blue featuring Shungudzo and ZieZie) 		TBA
"Ice Cream Man"
(Paul White featuring Shungudzo) 		Rejuvenate
"Fire in My Soul"
(Oliver Heldens featuring Shungudzo) 		Non-album single
"Weightless"
(Hayden James featuring Shungudzo) 		2019 Between Us
"Back to Life"
(Chiiild featuring Shungudzo) 		Synthetic Soul
"How Could I Ever?"
(KUU featuring Shungudzo) 		2020 Non-album single
"We'll Always Have This Dance "
(KUU featuring Shungudzo) 		Non-album single
"How Could I Ever?"
(KUU featuring Shungudzo) 		2021 Non-album single
"Gimme Your Love "
(KUU featuring Shungudzo) 		Non-album single
"Choose Love"
(Angélique Kidjo featuring Shungudzo) 		Mother Nature
"Meant for Me "
(Angélique Kidjo featuring Shungudzo)

Guest appearances

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List of non-single guest appearances, with other performing artists, showing year released and album name
Title Year Other artist(s) Album
"Complicated" 2017 Bantu Africa for the Summer EP
"Ougadougou" BC Unidos Bicycle EP
"Come on Back" 2018 Shungudzo Fifty Shades Freed: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Songwriting credits

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Title Year Artist(s) Album Written with
"Touch" 2016 Little Mix Glory Days Hanni Ibrahim, Patrick Patrikios, Philip Plested
"Not That Girl" 2017 Girli Feel Ok EP Milly Toomey
"Best Behaviour" Louisa Non-album single Thomas Barnes, Peter Kelleher, Benjamin Kohn, Daniel Parker
"It Won't Kill Ya"
(featuring Louane) 		The Chainsmokers Memories...Do Not Open Andrew Taggart, Samuel Martin
"Stay Awake, Wait for Me" Jessie Ware Glasshouse Jessica Ware, Ajay Bhattacharya, Daniel Parker
"Your Domino" Jessica Ware, Ajay Bhattacharya, Daniel Parker, Daniel Sinclair
"Love to Love" Jessica Ware, Ajay Bhattacharya, Daniel Parker
"Wish I Never Met You" 2018 Victoria Monét Life After Love, Pt 1 Victoria McCants, Maurice "Verse" Simmonds
"Way Down" MØ Forever Neverland Karen Marie Ørsted, Ajay Bhattacharya, Letter Mbulu, Caiphus Semenya
"Overtime" Jessie Ware Non-album single Jessica Ware, Daniel Parker, James Ford, Andy Ferguson, Matthew McBriar
"Joan of Arc" Little Mix LM5 Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Jade Thirlwall, Hanni Ibrahim, Patrick Patrikios, Philip Plested
"Wasabi" Jade Thirlwall, Uzoechi Emenike, Mike Sabath
"Notice" Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Jade Thirlwall, Mike Sabath
"Forevermore" 2019 Yuna Rouge Yuna Zara'ai, Robin Hannibal
"(Not) The Love of My Life" Yuna Zara'ai, Robin Hannibal
"Forget About You" Yuna Zara'ai, Robin Hannibal
"Back to Life" Chiiild Synthetic Soul Yonatan Ayal, Pierre-Luc Rioux, Isabelle Dunn
"Hands Off Me" 2020 Yonatan Ayal, Pierre-Luc Rioux, Isabelle Dunn, Lauren Malyon
"Do Me Wrong" ASL Love Center Liza Owen, John Ryan II, Julian Bunetta, Andrew Haas, Ian Franzino
"Elevate" Liza Owen, John Ryan II, Julian Bunetta, Andrew Haas, Ian Franzino
"Bite the Pillow" Liza Owen, John Ryan II, Julian Bunetta, Andrew Haas, Ian Franzino
"Night Owl" Liza Owen, John Ryan II, Julian Bunetta, Andrew Haas, Ian Franzino
"Boys Can Swim" Liza Owen, John Ryan II, Julian Bunetta, Andrew Haas, Ian Franzino
"Spotlight" Jessie Ware What's Your Pleasure? Jessica Ware, Daniel Parker, James Ford
"What's Your Pleasure?" Jessica Ware, Daniel Parker, James Ford
"Ooh La La" Jessica Ware, Daniel Parker, James Ford,
"Soul Control" Jessica Ware, Daniel Parker, James Ford, Morgan Geist
"Save a Kiss" Jessica Ware, Daniel Parker, James Ford
"Remember Who You Are" Jessica Ware, Daniel Parker, James Ford
"Kiss of Life" 2021 Kylie Minogue and Jessie Ware Disco: Guest List Edition Kylie Minogue, Jessica Ware, James Ford, Danny Parker

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Goldner, Brandon. "Sing. Dance. Write. Andra Govere: The most amazing 20-something you haven't heard of. Yet…" Archived June 12, 2018, at the Wayback Machine. Brass magazine. May 2, 2011
  2. ^ a b "Ready for their world: Two teens with the right stuff join the global party". BNET.[dead link‍]
  3. ^ a b c "Real World: San Diego: Cast: Alexandra". MTV. 2011. Archived from the original on October 1, 2011. Retrieved September 30, 2011.
  4. ^ Note: Sources conflict on whether she graduated. The Brass article Archived June 12, 2018, at the Wayback Machine indicates she graduated with a civil engineering degree, though her MTV.com bio indicates she dropped out eight weeks prior to graduation.
  5. ^ "Zim songstress causes a stir" Archived September 23, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. The Zimbabwean. July 30, 2010. Retrieved September 27, 2011.
  6. ^ a b Johnson, Steve. "Zimbabwean Gymnast Makes History". AllAfrica.com. October 25, 1999
  7. ^ a b "Govere's worldwide program continues to assist AIDS orphans | The Paly Voice". September 29, 2011. Archived from the original on September 29, 2011. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
  8. ^ a b Olson, Linnea. "The Kids Are Alright". Elle Girl Sep–Oct 2003. page 141. Google Books. Retrieved August 4, 2011.
  9. ^ United Nations (March 20, 2000). "NOTE TO CORRESPONDENTS 'MILLENNIUM DREAMERS' DELEGATES TO BE ANNOUNCED". United Nations.
  10. ^ "Album: "Love is 4 Suckaz / I'm A Sucka 4 Love" by Andra". August 14, 2010
  11. ^ "Andra ft. Lupe Fiasco – White Swans" Archived August 15, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. Dubstep Source. July 6, 2010
  12. ^ Govere, Alexandra."Music & Things" Archived April 25, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. Too Sweet To Be Bitter. October 7, 2011
  13. ^ Govere, Alexandra. "Music & Things". Facebook. October 7, 2011
  14. ^ Big Deal Music (2018). "Shungudzo". Big DEal Music.
  15. ^ Hamada Mania Music. "Shungudzo unleashes new promotional single 'Come On Back'". Hamada Mania Music. Archived from the original on May 30, 2019. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
  16. ^ Marotta, Michael (August 31, 2018). "Shungudzo just dropped one of the catchiest songs of 2018 in 'Paper'". Vanyaland.
  17. ^ "JUST IN: Zim artistic gymnast fight racism". The Herald. January 28, 2021. Retrieved May 31, 2022.
  18. ^ "Alexandra Govere" Archived August 14, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. MTV Act Blog. Retrieved May 19, 2012.
  19. ^ "Alexandra Govere" Archived May 7, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. MTV Voices UK. Retrieved May 19, 2012.
  20. ^ "Bringin' It Backwards: Interview with Shungudzo". American Songwriter. December 25, 2020. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  21. ^ Moran, Justin (February 2, 2021). "Shungudzo Wants a World Where It's Safe to Be Black". Paper. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  22. ^ Farrell, Margaret. "Shungudzo Warns to Protect our Energy on "There's Only so Much a Soul Can Take"". Flood Magazine. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  23. ^ Kaye, Ben (April 14, 2021). "Shungudzo Shares the Origins of New Single "White parents": Stream". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  24. ^ Mier, Tomás. "Meet the Talented Emerging Artists Making Their Mark on the Musical Landscape in 2021". People. Meredith. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  25. ^ Clark, Kevin (April 27, 2021). "Houston's Own Peyton Is All About Black Women Excellence". Essence. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  26. ^ Komonibo, Ineye. "New Music To Know: Doja Cat Heads Back To The "Streets" & Rosé Goes Solo". Refinery29. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  27. ^ "Shungudzo Performs 'There's only so much a soul can take'". Full Frontal with Samantha Bee. Archived from the original on December 14, 2021. Retrieved June 18, 2021 – via YouTube.
  28. ^ "Real World San Diego | Ep. 1 | First Impressions | MTV". MTV. June 24, 2012. Archived from the original on June 24, 2012. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
  29. ^ "Real World San Diego: Ep. 4: Hair-Razing Arguments And Sticky Situations". MTV. November 22, 2012. Archived from the original on November 22, 2012. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
  30. ^ "Shungudzo Triple A Airplay Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved October 27, 2021.
  31. ^ Sweeney, Farrell (December 19, 2020). "Oliver Heldens and Shungudzo reunite for euphoric release, 'Freedom for my People'". Dancing Astronaut. Archived from the original on December 28, 2020. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
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Media related to Alexandra Govere at Wikimedia Commons

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