The Rise of Prince Chigwida: From Heartbreak to Hope

By Patience Musa

Prince Chigwida is more than a musician.

He is a devoted son, a loving husband, a loyal friend, and a hardworking businessman running a thriving furniture enterprise. He is also a committed member of the Zion Christian Church (ZCC), grounded in faith and guided by purpose. Yet within Zimbabwe’s music landscape, he is steadily rising as one of the most refreshing and spiritually anchored voices of his generation.

His story, however, did not begin with fame, applause, or a grand plan.

It began with heartbreak.

More than a decade ago, a painful breakup left him emotionally shaken. Like many who experience loss, he struggled to make sense of the weight he carried inside. But instead of allowing pain to silence him, he gave it a voice. He turned to songwriting, pouring his emotions onto paper as if each word could lift the burden from his chest.

What started as scattered thoughts soon became melodies. One day, he found himself humming a tune that refused to leave his spirit — a song that demanded to be heard. With lyrics shaped by raw emotion and sincerity, he rushed to a recording studio to capture what felt like a moment of destiny.

When the song was complete, he offered it to the very person who had broken his heart — a tender attempt to repair what had been lost. But life does not always grant second chances. Sometimes, even the purest intention cannot revive what time has already buried.

That relationship ended.

But something else was born.

What he thought was the closing of a chapter became the opening of an entirely new story.

Without formal training, without a clear roadmap, Prince Chigwida began to explore music more deeply. At the time, Zimdancehall resonated with him, and he experimented with romantic tracks, testing his sound and learning his identity as an artist. He was searching — not just for a genre, but for a purpose.

And then, through the guidance of his father, his path shifted.

He was encouraged to pursue music that carried meaning, music that could uplift, heal, and inspire. That advice became a turning point. It redirected him toward a calling that would later define his artistry.

It was within the walls of ZCC that his sound truly began to take shape.

There, he discovered a new kind of rhythm — one rooted in faith. Though the journey was not without struggle, he slowly learned to blend the energy of Zimdancehall, the pulse of Amapiano, and other genres that shaped his youth with messages that carried spiritual depth. The result was something uniquely his: music that is vibrant, modern, and uplifting — music that moves the body, but also touches the soul.

His beginnings were humble.

With only two small speakers he had bought with his own money, Prince Chigwida would walk to church and perform. No grand stage. No spotlight. Just passion, courage, and a desire to share what was inside him. In those moments, the church became his first stage and the congregation became his first audience — his earliest supporters, his loudest cheerleaders, and his foundation.

For Prince Chigwida, music is not simply entertainment.

It is testimony.

Each song he writes carries pieces of his life — reflections of struggle, triumph, pain, healing, and the quiet strength that comes from surviving what once felt unbearable. The hardships he once prayed to escape have now become the pillars of his story. He speaks openly about the difficult road he has walked, expressing gratitude for every obstacle that shaped him into who he is today.

Because in his eyes, every setback was a lesson.

Every storm was preparation.

And every tear became a seed.

Today, his journey is reaching new heights. Prince Chigwida is currently working on a highly anticipated single with Zimbabwean entertainer Madam Boss — a collaboration expected to introduce his sound to even wider audiences. At the same time, he is preparing for his very first live recording concert, a major milestone in his career.

In a move that reflects his gratitude and humility, the concert will be free for all his fans — a heartfelt gesture to the community that has carried him from the beginning.

This year also marks a powerful achievement: a nomination for the People’s Choice Award at the National Arts Merit Awards (NAMA), where he stands alongside some of Zimbabwe’s biggest names, including Jah Prayzah and Winky D.

For him, the nomination is more than recognition — it is confirmation.

When asked what it means, Prince Chigwida speaks with humility. He admits that the music industry can often feel like a thankless journey, where it is difficult to measure growth or progress. “Most of the time, it feels like a thankless job,” he shares. “It’s hard to tell whether you are growing or improving.”

But the nomination has brought reassurance. It has shown him that his music is being heard, his brand is growing, and his message is reaching people. It is proof that his efforts have not been in vain.

Hearing the news, he says, was overwhelming — a moment that felt both surreal and deeply humbling. To stand among seasoned stars and be nominated alongside artists he has admired for years is an honour he does not take lightly.

And the milestones keep coming.

One of the achievements that surprised him most was making it onto the nation’s Top Five Songs hit list — a breakthrough that signalled his growing impact beyond his immediate community. Now, with a NAMA nomination added to his journey, he believes the sky is truly the limit. He has called on his fans to support him by voting and helping him bring the award home.

Yet even in the midst of recognition, Prince Chigwida remains grounded.

He speaks with deep gratitude about his supporters — those who have stood by him from the days of church performances with two small speakers, to the moment his name began to appear on national platforms. He even prays for a day when he can meet his fans in a setting that is not performance-driven — simply to connect, to listen, and to learn about the stories that shape their lives too.

Along the way, he has learned that talent alone is not enough.

Success requires vision, discipline, and the right people who can help guide and protect a gift. While he currently carries much of the workload himself, he understands the importance of building a strong team that will sustain his growth and help him rise even higher.

Prince Chigwida’s musical inspiration is wide and rich. Growing up, he listened to many different sounds, and today he draws influence from artists such as Minister Michael Mahendera, Jah Prayzah, and Chiwoniso Maraire, among others. But above all, he says his greatest source of inspiration remains his faith.

It is that faith that continues to shape his music.

It is that faith that keeps him standing.

And it is that faith that reminds him that the impossible is often only a matter of time.

Looking ahead, Prince Chigwida dreams of gracing Zimbabwe’s biggest stages — not for fame, but to spread a message of hope, perseverance, and possibility. His life, he says, is proof that all things are possible. The journey has not been easy, but every step has prepared him for the platform he now stands on.

From heartbreak to healing.

From a broken spirit to a restored purpose.

From two small speakers in church to Top Five hit lists and national award nominations.

Prince Chigwida’s story is still unfolding — a story defined by faith, resilience, gratitude, and destiny.

And if his journey so far is anything to go by, then surely…

the best is yet to come.