Alexio Kawara

Alexio Kawara is a Zimbabwean contemporary Afro-fusion musician and lead member of the band Shades of Black.

Kawara's music career began in 1999 as part of a four-member group known as ?uess. The group had a hit 'Amai' but later split, prompting Kawara to launch a solo career. At first Kawara struggled to get a record deal but later landed a three-year contract with Shamiso Entertainment in 2001. This saw him release the album ‘Usazondisiya’, which included a number of hits. ‘Rwiyo Rwangu’ (My Song) was Alexio’s second release, which was released in 2003. It included 'Chibvugubvugu', an Afro-hip hop track that was successful on the local radio charts for most of that year when his contract with Shamiso Entertainment ended.

In 2005, Kawara released his third album 'Pfimbi Yangu' (My Secret Place). The album earned him two National Arts Merit Awards (NAMAs) and two Zimbabwe Music Awards (ZIMAs). Under his own recording label, Alexio Entertainment, he released his fourth album 'Kana' in 2008. It include songs such as 'Shaina' and 'Karwiyo Aka'. 'Shaina' earned Alexio another ZIMA for Song of the Year. In 2011, at the first edition of the Victor’s Awards, Kawara scooped the Most Promising Musician Award.

In September 2011 he performed alongside South Africa’s Ringo Madlingozi at the Arts Alive Festival in Johannesburg. He has also shared a stage with other top South African acts such as Zahara, Lira and Ntando, as well as Eric Wainana (Kenya), Handsome Poets (Netherlands) and Francis Drake (Germany).