Zimbabwe’s Sister Flame returns with a new mixtape

Born Fortunate Matenga, the former More Fire Crew member returns to the music scene with a 12-track mixtape that will be released this year in September.

In a wide ranging interview, the 36 year old songstress told Music In Africa that she is back for good. "I have been quiet for a while doing some hustles," she said. "You know i had to focus on my children. Now that they have grown up a little, its time to return to the music scene. I'm back for good now. The mixtape is due for release in September though I havent come up with a specific date."

The ‘Ngubani’ hitmaker said the mixtape which precedes her forthcoming album scheduled for October has great songs. She has since dropped a song from the mixtape named ‘Music is My Life’. The smooth reggae track is about her return to the music industry at a time when reggae music is in the shadows of Zimdancehall music.

"There are lot of talented reggae female artists who need help with recording and shows," she said. "They end up giving up or do music on part time basis because they lack don't have financial support."

A mother of three, Sister Flame is also trying her hand at production and encourages females to join the male dominated rock genre: "Our industry is highly male dominated, women have to work extra hard to be heard. It’s never easy, they must never give up. They must keep pushing."

Sister Flame started off as a dancer in Bulawayo’s theatre groups. Shortly afterwards she joined the More Fire Crew band which also had the late Andy Brown. The band was known for backing Zimbabwe’s infamous land reform programme. It later disbanded prompting Sister Flame to pursue a solo career which saw her releasing her debut album The Road in 2006. In 2012, she came with another offering called The Flame of House.

Apart from Sister Flame, female artists such as Eyahra Mathazia and Lady Thanda are among a handful of women singing reggae music in the country.