BOMBSHELL RELEASES DEBUT ALBUM ‘MFUMUKADZI’ + INTERVIEW

One of Zambia’s top female hip-hop artists Bombshell has finally released her debut album today on the 7th of January 2022; she unveiled the art work for her much anticipated studio album on the 29th of December 2021 under Nexus Music. The talented rapper took to social media where she made two separate posts with the art work, one saying #greatful #Mfumukadzi and the other quoting Anthony Nkwazi who has been the executive behind the project. In his statement he thanks the Nexus team with mentions to Mr Ngulube the CEO, Killa, and more.

In the past year, we have noticed an evolution in Bombshell’s image as she donned a more authentic Afrocentric look, which is mirrored in the album art and title of the album, ‘Mfumukadzi’, which translated means Queen.

The first track of ‘MFUMUKADZI’ with an accompanied music video was released yesterday on the 6th of January, which you can check out right away here:

Interview with Bombshell:

How long have you been in the music industry for?

“I’ve been in the music industry now and counting… I’m not gonna count my other past years because I went to university in between, so I would say I have been in the music industry now for six years.”

Where do you get your music inspiration from?

“My music inspiration comes from, when it comes to rap it’s the old school rappers like, the likes of MC Lyte, Foxy Brown, DMX, Da Brat, Left Eye, Randy MC, Method Man, Wu-Tang… Queen Latifah, that’s where my music inspiration comes from, my music; and also not forgetting my uncles who actually birthed this music love in me who I grew up with. These are my mother’s brothers and my father’s brothers.”

Do you have a message you would like to get across with your new album?

“Well, the message to my new album is basically appreciating every woman, I want every woman to be able to call themselves a ‘MFUMUKADZI’, so this album is just not about me calling myself a ‘MFUMUKADZI’, it’s about every woman out there. Doesn’t matter where you’re from, it doesn’t matter what you do, every woman for me is a ‘MFUMUKADZI’; so it’s not about royalty, it’s not about wealth, it’s not about being a boss chick, it’s about calling yourself a ‘MFUMUKADZI’, so every woman is entitled to this album, every woman who is gonna get this album should call themselves a ‘MFUMUKADZI’.”

What do you hope to achieve in your career?

“I hope to be able to give that little girl out there who may be feeling they have no hope, especially when it comes to music. Let’s just talk about entertainment in particular. Every woman out there should be able to say, ‘I can have a dream and it can come true.’ That’s what I hope to fulfil. I hope to be able to touch every little girl child, every girl child out there who has a dream, to say, ‘Dreams can come true,’ ’cause I also just thought by having a dream and saying, ‘I’d one day wanna be a star,’ but now look at me now, look at where I am. Being voted the best rapper in Africa. I never ever in a million years thought I would ever win an award to be placed as the best female rapper in Africa. I hope to become global internationally known and to put our country on the map.”

What challenges have you faced, or are currently facing, as a Zambian artist?

“What challenges… you know how it is being in a male-dominated industry, it’s not just in Zambia, it’s worldwide. As a woman you really have to push hard and also having to be always, you know, weighed down, people always look at you, throw stones at you, but it’s about you learning to get those stones and being able to build a whole castle for yourself, knowing that you’re a queen. Also having to face financial difficulties. I mean when I started my career, I had to do everything for myself meaning shooting music videos, going for certain shows for free just to take your brand out there. Those have been difficulties. You know every time you also face situations like your family not having to, be able to accept that you wanna be a musician, when you’re trying to take that route of being a musician. I had to prove myself to them to say, ‘I will make it in this career.’ I had to work hard. So those are one of the things that I’ve had to face, especially being looked at in the wrong perspective, especially when you’re a rapper they think, just because you’re a rapper you have to do drugs, you drink a lot, you take lines, you smoke weed, but it’s not the case.”

How do you think you have changed from when you first entered the industry to your present self?

“I feel my growth has changed with me getting older. I remember the young me would have a certain way of style, hairstyles, I had a certain way of rapping, I had a different way of looking at life, but the older I’ve gotten, my change in rap has changed, my dress code has changed, my perspective on life has changed, my ‘never giving up’ has changed, being a mother has really changed me. Now everything that I do, I gotta do it to the fullest. It’s about giving it the best, and not even going halfway through it. Not living a glass half-full. Whatever I do I have to give it my most. I see myself changing in those aspect, ’cause I remember when I just started my career, I used to look at it thinking, ‘Meh, maybe I’m just trying this hard.’ Now, I’m here.”

What advice would you give to your younger self?

“Never to give up. To keep pushing. To believe in me. To never think less of myself. To put God first in everything that I do… the younger me? If I knew God the way I know him today, I believe I would be in greater heights, but then at the same time, it’s great to actually go through certain situations in your life because all those situations are the rows that lead you to actually know God and appreciate him even more, but the younger me? I would tell her to put God first.”

If you could describe your journey in music in one word, what would it be and why?

“Phenomenon… because when I began, I never saw my journey being the way it is today. When I began, it just all seemed like a bumpy road, a rainy road, a dark road; and through it all, through the dark, through the bumps, through the pain, through the rain, I came to sunshine and to the glory. I would say phenomenon. I wouldn’t even lie like, this ending of 2021 to me was just a bang and I thought all hope was gone, so phenomenon.”

What do you like to do in your spare time?

“I love to talk to God. I love to look through my achievements. I love to spend time with my daughter, whatever time I get. I love to ask her how she’s doing, how has her day been, to just see what’s going on in her head. It’s good to talk to babies, because she’s only four and she needs to know that I have time for her. In whatever time I get, I’ll talk to God, I’ll talk to my daughter, I’ll catch up with my family, because at the end of the day I’m a Momma, I’m Bwalya, I’m the first born, so that’s what I love to do.”

What is your biggest pet peeve?

“Lies. I hate lies, I hate lies! I hate forced promises. If you’re not able to do something, don’t tell me you’re gonna do it… I hate that, with a passion.”

What is your favourite place to travel?

“I’m not gonna point out a particular place, but I love nature. I love gardens. I love places that are full of nature. Rivers, nature, greens, animals all over the place. That is beautiful.”

What would you like to say to all your fans about your upcoming album?

“To all my fans, my album is not entitled to one particular person’s, it’s for everybody. It’s diverse, it’s got all different types of sounds, and my aim was to just target each and every type of person. The elderly, the young, the middle class, the ladies, the women, the girls, the men, the gentlemen, the boys, it’s for everybody. I want this album to make you feel united. I want this album for you to be able to sit down with your grandfather or grandmother and listen to it. Sit down with your boys, with your girls, with your ladies, with your girls and boys, you know with everybody. I want this album to make you feel to be proud of being African, to be proud of being a ‘MFUMUKADZI’, to raise your flag high, to fix your crown and know that you are royalty.”

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