Two major talents collide on this eclectic gem
Afro-Tech innovator Shimza is back with his hypnotic new single ‘Parachute’ with rising indie vocalist Rachel Chinouriri, out now on Helix Records.
Bringing together two major talents, ‘Parachute’ sees Shimza building upon a sleek techno groove with throbbing synths and Rachel Chinouriri’s entrancing vocals adding elegant topline melodies.
The single follows the February hit ‘Darling’ featuring Aloe Blacc and comes at a momentous time for Shimza, who is currently working through his intercontinental tour dates across the US, Europe, Africa and South America, including a much-anticipated Cercle Festival appearance on 25th May at the unique venue of the Musée de l’Air et de l’Espace at Le Bourget. Shimza is truly a star that has risen, and can now be seen in every corner of the electronic music world.
Shimza’s tour will culminate in his famed Afro-tech series KUNYE which means “together” in the vernacular, and is a platform to unite Afro-tech lovers who want to let their hair down and chill in the ambiance. Having started as a small gathering of about 25 people, the festival has successfully grown to just over 4000 people with shows in different South African provinces. The show has also reached the global market with shows in Kenya, Zimbabwe, Paris London, Ibiza, and Albania.
With over 120 million streams to date, an incredible knack for TikTok virality, and a debut album out now, Rachel Chinouriri is fast making a name for herself as an ambassador of heartfelt indie, soothing her listeners with intimate, emotional storytelling.
Unquestionably one of South Africa’s brightest talents, Shimza real name Ashley Raphala has established himself as a leading light and one of the true roots of the global Afro-Tech scene, expanding the genre’s reach worldwide.
The Tembisa-born DJ, producer and promoter’s rise to fame is littered with accomplishments, too numerous to list. But if you ask him, one of his most significant accomplishments has been launching and hosting his “One Man Show” event brand – a large scale outdoor party held every Christmas Day to raise funds for underprivileged children, which has showcased some of South Africa’s hottest artists including AKA, Cassper Nyovest, Riky Rick, Black Coffee, Mi Casa, Black Motion and many more.
With a back catalogue boasting acclaimed collaborations with CamelPhat, WhoMadeWho, Louie Vega, and many more, Shimza has forged and developed his own signature Afro-Tech sound, blending hypnotic beats with synthesizer loops and sensual vocals.
Unsurprisingly yet with a hint of anticipation, Shimza has even more in store for this year. He is set to finalise his new LP, which will enlist an even wider array of collaborations with elite artists.
Shimza Tour Dates
May
2nd – Doha, Qatar
18th – SOHO Garden, Dubai, UAE
19th – All I Need at Playa Soleil, Ibiza, Spain
25th – CERCLE Festival at the Air & Space Museum, Le Bourget, France
28th – Camelphat at Pacha, Ibiza, Spain
29th – Galerie Kurzweil, Darmstadt, Germany
31st – Intermezzo, Skopje, Macedonia
June
2nd – Space Opening, Riccione, Italy
7th – Encode, Luxembourg
8th – UNUM Festival, Shënjin, Albania
9th – Kiesgrube, Dusserdorf, Germany
16th – Blue Marlin, Ibiza, Spain
21st – Le Petit, Bucharest, Romania
22nd – Black Coffee/Damian Lazarus at Hï Ibiza, Spain
29th – KUNYE, Pretoria, South Africa
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