Mildred Rugare Mazarire
Masvingo- Nicole Livet, a 23-year-old Afro fusion artist is rocking the world with the mbira music.
Hailing from Harare, Livet is a recent media graduate from Great Zimbabwe University and is known for her virtuosic performances on traditional instruments, particularly the mbira.
Livet credits her mother, whom she affectionately calls “Mama Africa,” as the driving force behind her musical journey.
“The inspiration to my music is my mom. She has been the motivation to my music, the struggles she faced since I was a kid, and her responsibility in taking care of me and grooming me in a Godly way to become a powerful woman like I am today,” the young artist expressed.
Chiwoniso Maraire, a renowned mbira legend in Zimbabwe, has also been a significant influence on Livet’s artistic development.
“Chiwoniso has been the inspiration to my music as well, as she contributed a lot in putting the mbira music on the global stage and her resilience in advocating for the embracing of the African culture despite the colonization,” Livet said.
Livet’s musical journey began at the age of six, when she started singing in Sunday school.
However, it was only three years ago that she embarked on a professional music career.
She is currently affiliated with Magamba Network and Accountability Lab, where she was part of the Voice 2rep program, which equips upcoming socially conscious artists in Zimbabwe.
Livet has graced the stages of notable events such as the Dhuku Affair 2023, Let Them Trust Festival, Shoko Festival, and Healing Canvas Festival, among others.
Alongside her music, she also works as a media researcher and monitoring and evaluation assistant, balancing her artistic pursuits with the economic realities of the country.
In 2023, Livet released her first song titled “Unorema,” an anthem that addresses the struggles and challenges faced by African girls on a daily basis.
Her latest release, “Wakakosha,” is an Afro-pop track that spreads love and happiness.
The young artist is looking forward to collaborating with artists like Shingai, Mary Anibal, Shekhinah Donnell, and Asa, and plans to release more socially conscious music in the coming year.
Livet’s music is not just about entertainment, but a platform for advocacy. As a peer counselor, she uses her art to advocate for social justice and children’s and girls’ rights.
