Mthabisi TshumaFOR 13 years, songstress Dorothy Chipo has been accustomed to the mic and studio with the zeal of letting the gospel out there through music.Her journey has been filled with successes, emotional moments and lessons that shape her next step.Dorothy Chipo started doing music professionally in 2012 with the talented outfit Zimpraise where they worked on the Sungano Live DVD. In 2013 she started her solo journey with the release of her debut single Jesu Wezvishamiso.She said she still has that feeling she had 13 years ago and is raring to go higher.“When I started out in 2013, it was all driven by passion and the excitement of discovering new ground. That same spark hasn’t faded it’s only grown brighter as I’ve gained more knowledge and experience.
Now, I find myself starting projects from a more grounded place, which allows for a smoother creative flow.Dorothy Chipo“Do I feel like this is my time? Not necessarily. I’m more focused on expressing what’s within me as honestly and meaningfully as I can.When I started out, it was all just inspiration and experimentation. But over time, something has shifted.The message is clearer.
The sound has matured. And now, Dorothy Chipo Music isn’t just a name, it’s a brand with purpose and clarity,” she said.Dorothy Chipo said she has learned the importance of staying true to who she is and what she believes in.“That authenticity has given me resilience. My ministry is now more outward-looking, more connected and that’s exactly how I want it to be.
For me, prayer is everything.It’s how I stay grounded and aligned.I bring my faith into every part of the creative process because I honestly don’t know how else to do it.“There’s no perfect formula, but I’m learning to take things one day at a time, to trust God for the strength and wisdom I need.Whether I’m writing, performing, or just living my everyday life, I want everything to reflect the One who called me,” said Dorothy Chipo.With the arts sector having had its fair share of bad days like the induced lockdowns due to Covid-19, Dorothy Chipo said she had to adjust and move with times.“During lockdown I was fortunate to belong to a family of artistes, that is FiG Worship Culture.This relationship played a huge role in keeping me creatively active, especially as we adapted to working remotely and collaborating from a distance.That sense of community helped me stay focused and grounded throughout the process as we reinvented ourselves from that crisis.“Although I often feel like I’m just barely keeping up, I’m deeply thankful for the resources now available to artistes.One such opportunity was the So Creative program by the British Council, which I was privileged to be part of.Workshops and trainings like these, Kay Media’s Music Connects Africa program and the networking they foster have been essential for staying informed and connected,” said Dorothy Chipo.Share on FacebookPost on XFollow usSave
Originally published on Zimbabwe Herald
Source: Herald
