Musikerportrait: Prayer Mtamangira aka Prayersoul
Er ist die Quintessenz der neuen Soulmusik in Zimbabwe. Seine weiche und gleichzeitig temperamentvolle Stimme überzeugt, ebenso sein Gitarrenspiel.
1983 in Zimbabwe geboren, hat der Singer-Songwriter sich mittlerweile ganz der Musik verschrieben.
Ursprünglich studierte er Soziologie und ländliche Entwicklung, nahm aber parallel dazu Gitarrenunterricht und schrieb eigene Lieder. Seine ersten Auftritte hatte er in der Kirche und bei Jugendveranstaltungen. Über die Beteiligung an einem Benefiz-Album zugunsten der Aids-Aufklärung bekam er die Chance, zusammen mit einem Freund ein eigenes Album mit
Gospelsongs zu veröffentlichen und danach noch ein Solo-Album „Prayersoul“ (2010). Dies führte zu einem Auftritt auf dem Internationalen Kunstfestival in Harare und seither ist er eine feste Größe in der Musikszene Simbabwes.
In seinem Pressetext schreibt er über sich:
Prayersoul, born Prayer Donovan Mtamangira, is a fresh 31 year old musician based in Harare. He has been playing the guitar for just over a decade and discovered his phenomenal singing voice at the age of 18. His first exposure to live performance was singing as a part of the worship team at his community church. This neo-soul artist grew his fanbase by performing at a monthly event called 'Acoustic Night', which is a platform for growing artists in the music industry. After finding his feet on the perfomance arena, he ventured into producing his debut album which was self-titled, 'Prayersoul', and released in February 2012. To date, he has sold over 500 copies of the album, which has been well received and is on regular rotation on radio stations in Zimbabwe and regionally.
Prayersoul holds regular performances in Harare and Johannesburg with his band 'The Experience'. Together they have performed on several festival stages including the Zimbabwe International Film Festival (Z.I.F.F.) 2010, the Harare International Festival of the Arts (H.I.F.A) 2011 & 2012, Shoko Festival 2012 and the Miombo Magic Music Festival 2012.
Payersoul also performs regularly at the Zimbabwe-German Society, who as an organization, have played a major role in supporting his music and career. With his professional career off to an exceedingly good start, Prayersoul is destined to take his place in the global enertainment arena.
