Shingirai Kaserera (born 14 June 1984), popularly known as Sugaspott,[1] is a Zimbabwean rapper. He was born and raised in Zimbabwe before moving to the United Kingdom. He headlined on the main stage at Brentford Festival in 2010 and 2013.[2][3] He represented Zimbabwe at the Golborne World Music Festival in 2010.[4]

Sugaspott
Sugaspott performing on stage
Sugaspott performing on stage
Background information
Birth nameShingirai Kaserera
Born (1984-06-14) 14 June 1984 (age 40)
Harare, Zimbabwe
OriginMutare, Zimbabwe
GenresHip hop
OccupationRapper
Websitesugaspott.com

Biography

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Life and music career

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Sugaspott was born in, Harare, Zimbabwe but grew up mostly in Mutare.[5] It wasn't until after completing his high school education that he began to make records.[6] Mentored by various small groups similarly trying to establish themselves, he collaborated with local acts such as Mizchif.[5] He moved to London in 2005 to study[6] and it is there he decided to pursue a career in music and tried to get his music noticed recording a number of demos that did not materialise into anything. He is known to have sold his own music by hand and developed his fan base by cold selling his music to them in the street.[7][8] He worked with a number of other unsigned artists hoping that opportunities would arise as a cooperative result. Independent releases, shows at various venues and tireless self-promotion saw him garner attention,[9] eventually impressing Tom Robinson enough[10] to warrant rotation on BBC Radio's 6Music.[11]

Genre and style

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His lyrics contain a lot of emphasis on Zimbabwe and is quoted saying “I consider it an honorable burden to bear but a lot of my material is centered on removing the stereotype of Zimbabwe around the globe”.[12] He is notable for seeking to create non-violent, positive rap lyrics[9] and is listed under political rap on Allmusic.[1] In 2009, he opened the show for Navin Kundra and The Dhol Foundation[13] and a few months later for Apache Indian[14] as part of a collective of unsigned artists who supported a series of shows around the UK.[12]

Discography

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[15]

 
Ameet Chana interviewing Sugaspott on stage after performing at Chiswick Town Hall in 2009.

Albums

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  • This Is My Story (2009) [16]
  • Damage Limitation (2010) [17]
  • Damage Limitation Part 2: Broken Sanctuary (2014) [18]

Singles

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  • "Sugaspott's Hiphop" (2010) [19]
  • "Bhogo Bhogo" (2010) [20]
  • "Real Hiphop" (2010) [21]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Sugaspott | Discography". AllMusic. 1984-06-14. Retrieved 2015-02-26.
  2. ^ "Brentford Festival 2010". Brentfordfestival.org.uk. Archived from the original on 2014-06-01. Retrieved 2015-02-26.
  3. ^ "Brentford Festival 2013". Brentfordfestival.org.uk. 2013-08-23. Retrieved 2015-02-26.
  4. ^ "NORTH AFRICAN ARTS W10 PRESENT SUGASPOTT @ GOLBORNE WORLD MUSIC 2010". YouTube. 2010-08-09. Retrieved 2015-02-26.
  5. ^ a b "Artist Profiles". Archived from the original on July 27, 2012. Retrieved February 23, 2014.
  6. ^ ""Mind the Gap, Prime Minister" - Kingston law student meets David Cameron on the London underground | Kingston Law School, London". Archived from the original on May 1, 2013. Retrieved February 23, 2014.
  7. ^ "Pirate Party UK Forum • View topic - AN ACTUAL STRUGGLING ARTIST supports PPUK". Pirateparty.org.uk. Retrieved 2015-02-26.
  8. ^ "SugaSpott - Live on Carnaby Street, London (Early in his Career)". YouTube. 2013-04-11. Retrieved 2015-02-26.
  9. ^ a b "Introducing : Sugaspott". Femalefirst.co.uk. 2010-11-08. Retrieved 2015-02-26.
  10. ^ "Introducing Mixtape 26 Aug 2013". Fresh On The Net. 2013-08-26. Retrieved 2015-02-26.
  11. ^ "BBC Radio 6 Music - The Tom Robinson Show, With Elia and The Low Tears in session". Bbc.co.uk. 2013-08-31. Retrieved 2015-02-26.
  12. ^ a b Shingirai Huni (2013-08-07). "Kaserera raises Zim flag high". The Herald. Retrieved 2015-02-26.
  13. ^ "SPOTLIGHT's 3rd BIRTHDAY BASH!!!". Facebook. 2009-11-13. Retrieved 2015-02-26.
  14. ^ "SPOTLIGHT... comes to Brum!". Facebook. Retrieved 2015-02-26.
  15. ^ "Sugaspott | Discography". AllMusic. 1984-06-14. Retrieved 2015-02-26.
  16. ^ "iTunes - Music - This Is My Story by Sugaspott". Itunes.apple.com. 2010-07-19. Retrieved 2015-02-26.
  17. ^ "iTunes - Music - Damage Limitation by Sugaspott". Itunes.apple.com. 2010-07-19. Retrieved 2015-02-26.
  18. ^ "iTunes - Music - Damage Limitation Part 2: Broken Sanctuary by Sugaspott". Itunes.apple.com. 2013-12-12. Retrieved 2015-02-26.
  19. ^ "iTunes - Music - Sugaspott's Hiphop by Sugaspott". Itunes.apple.com. 2010-07-19. Retrieved 2015-02-26.
  20. ^ "iTunes - Music - Bhogo Bhogo - Single by Sugaspott". Itunes.apple.com. 2010-12-20. Retrieved 2015-02-26.
  21. ^ "iTunes - Music - Real Hiphop - Single by Sugaspott". Itunes.apple.com. 2010-12-03. Retrieved 2015-02-26.
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