Shungudzo - Biography, Career and Discography

Alexandra Shungudzo Govere, known simply as Shungudzo, is a Zimbabwean-American singer and reality TV star. She first came into the spotlight as the first black female gymnast to represent Zimbabwe in artistic gymnastics at the 1999 All-Africa Games. This achievement made her a pioneer in her field and garnered her significant media attention.

She also co-founded the Kijana Project, an initiative aimed at helping AIDS orphans. The project works to provide support and relief to children affected by the AIDS epidemic, showing Shungudzo's commitment to making a positive impact beyond her athletic accomplishments.

In 2011, Shungudzo became widely known as a cast member on the reality TV show, "The Real World: San Diego." This exposure introduced her to a broader audience and showcased her multifaceted talents and personality.

Early Life and Education

Alexandra Govere was born in the United States. She spent her childhood in a small village in Zimbabwe. The village had straw-covered mud huts and lacked electricity and running water, making her early years quite challenging. 

Shungudzo is of mixed heritage, with Zimbabwean, French, and Amerindian roots. Her diverse background adds to her unique identity. 

Eventually, her family moved to California, seeking better opportunities and living conditions. By the early 2000s, Shungudzo was living in Oregon, continuing her journey in a new environment.

Shungudzo practiced dancing and ballet from a young age. At just 9 years old, she became the first female of color to join the Zimbabwe National Gymnastics Team. Her parents, both college graduates, placed a strong emphasis on education. She was a remarkable student, studying calculus at age 10 and finishing high school by age 14.

Shungudzo continued her education at Stanford University, where she studied civil engineering. 

In 1999, Shungudzo made history as the first black female artistic gymnast to represent Zimbabwe at the All-Africa Games in Johannesburg. She was also the youngest member of the 162-member team.

Career

While studying at Stanford University, Shungudzo was discovered by Grammy Award-winning producer Kerry "Krucial" Brothers, who found her songs on MySpace. She initially met with Brothers to become a songwriter, but he recognized her singing talent and encouraged her to sing. Together, they released a mixtape titled "Love is 4 Suckaz/I'm a Sucka 4 Love." Brass magazine described the mixtape as a mix of synthetic beats and heavy post-production, with lyrics about love, jealousy, revenge, and anti-consumerism. The mixtape is available on YouTube. Brandon Goldner from Brass praised her voice, noting it could range from bright and flute-like to a rough, smoky honesty.

Although Shungudzo planned to release an album with Krucial in 2011, she chose to pursue an independent route instead. She has co-written several hit songs, including Little Mix's "Touch" and Louisa Johnson's "Best Behaviour." Additionally, she contributed a song to the Fifty Shades Freed soundtrack and released her single "Paper" in 2018.

In 2011, Shungudzo appeared on MTV's "The Real World: San Diego." She also worked as a writer, host, and correspondent for MTV Act and MTV Voices.

On October 30, 2020, Shungudzo released "It's a good day (to fight the system)," the first single from her debut album under Svikiro Records/Young Forever/BMG. The song was part of her three-track manifesto "I (motsi)." According to American Songwriter, "good day" is a bold anthem with sunny guitar and horn arrangements and harmonies. She followed this with singles "To be me," "There's only so much a soul can take," "White parents," and the title track "I'm not a mother, but I have children." People magazine recognized her as an emerging artist to watch in 2021 for her singles "good day" and "There's only so much a soul can take." She was praised by Zane Lowe as "completely unique and individual" and highlighted by Essence as an artist to watch. Refinery29 noted that "Shungudzo isn't putting up with the bullshit anymore."

Shungudzo performed "There's only so much a soul can take" on the June 9, 2021, episode of "Full Frontal with Samantha Bee."

Philanthropic Achievements

In 1997, Shungudzo started collecting clothing for orphans who had lost their parents to AIDS. By 2002, this effort had grown into an international organization called the Kijana Project. Run by then-15-year-old Shungudzo and her sister Saunsuray, the project had 50 members who helped orphans in six different countries. They raised money for clothing, toys, and school supplies and even funded the education of some AIDS orphans.

Shungudzo was inspired to start this work after seeing many of her childhood classmates affected by AIDS and noticing the growing number of orphans living on the streets of Harare. In 2000, she and her sister also raised money for Red Cross flood relief in Mozambique.

For her achievements in breaking the color barrier in artistic gymnastics and her humanitarian efforts, Shungudzo was honored as a Disney-UNESCO Millennium Dreamers Ambassador.

Personal Life

In 2011, Alexandra Govere was living in Los Angeles with her boyfriend, Byron. They had been dating for eight months before she started filming "The Real World: San Diego." Their relationship was featured in episode 4 of that season when Byron visited her at the season's residence.

Discography

Albums

2021 - I'm not a mother, but I have children

Singles

2017 - Long Live the Billionaire

2018 - Paper

2020 - Freedom for my People

2020 - It's a good day (to fight the system)

2021 - To be me

2021 - There's only so much a soul can take

2021 - White parents