Alexio Kawara

Alexio Kawara is a popular and award-winning Zimbabwean Afro-fusion musician. He rose to national stardom in the New Millennium with the hit "Amai" which was the third best song of the year 2000. He went on to produce a string of hit, notably the song "Shaina" which topped the charts and won him some awards. Alexio was born on the 28th of November 1978 in Harare's Glen Norah suburb. He is the third born in a family of five children – all of whom would become musicians with varying degrees of success. Alexio attended the Shiriyedenga Primary School between 1985 and 1991. On completion, he enrolled at Mazowe High School from 1991 to 1995, and later Vainona High School for his Advanced Levels. Alexio’s talent and passion was evident as he became a key member of the school choir from primary school until A' level. Whilst still at Mazowe High, Kawara befriended Zivanai Masango who played with Thomas Mapfumo and Zimbabwe Republic Police Band member Watson Chimombe. Together with one Joel Zamani, they formed a gospel outfit Black by Nature when they left Mazowe High. After the group disbanded, he joined Delani Makhalima, Brain Garikai and Donda Khumalo to form the group ?uess (Guess) in the year 2000. The group only released a single project. The most notable song off the project was "Amai" which was written by Alexio himself. Guess later disbanded prompting Kawara to launch his solo career. He went on release his debut album,"Usazondisiya" (Don’t Leave Me) in 2003. The album carried hit songs like "Kumba Kwenyu" (Your Home) and the epic, "Ndinomhanya" both of which received heavy rotation on local radio stations. He followed up with another hit album in "Rwiyo Rwangu" (My Song) in 2004. The latter carried the hit, "Chibvugubvugu". Accompanied by a sizzling video, the hit also propelled Kawara to dizzy heights. He later on featured on a compilation album, "Machikichori" with the song "Musikana Akanaka" (A Beautiful Girl). The song topped the Power FM charts for a considerable number of weeks. He went on to produce other albums, "Pfimbi Yangu" and 'Kana'. Hoever it was the latter that earned Kawara recognition in Zimbabwe and abroad. It featured some of the best local artist and the best songs. Some of the artists featured includes Andy Brown, Clive "Mono" Mkundu and Newman Chipeni. It is this album that carried hits such as "Karwiyo Aka", "Nyaya Yerudo" and the epic Shaina (Shine). That saw the birth of his band, Shades of Black.

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Alexio Kawara

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