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Shingai Elizabeth Maria Shoniwa ( ; born 1 September 1981), known professionally as Shingai, is a British singer, songwriter, musician, and actress, best known as the vocalist and bassist for the English indie rock band Noisettes. In 2017, she launched her solo career and released her debut solo album in 2020.
She first wanted to be an actress, and for a while joined the Lost Vagueness crew as a burlesque performer.Frere-Jones, Sasha (16 April 2007), "THE SHONIWA SHOW". New Yorker. 83 (8):24. She studied circus skills at a London youth club as a teenager. When she graduated, she attended art school and dabbled in local theatre. Her classmate and friend, Dan Smith, would hold what she called "ridiculous jam sessions — too many people strumming broken guitars thinking they're Syd Barrett". She then went on to study at the BRIT School in Croydon.Goodman, Elizabeth (21 September 2006), "THE NOISETTES", Rolling Stone (1009):24 One day she joined him singing, and the two quickly formed a group called the Noisettes. Their first release in 2002 was on a compilation called "Raison D'Etre London Vol 1" Compiled by Yvan Serrano (Dustaphonics) regrouping some of London's up and coming artists, also featuring Charlie Winston among others.
Shingai has provided backing vocals for different indie rock, Electronic music, and punk rock artists including, Guillemots with their song "Made Up Love Song#43" and "Over the Stairs". Shingai made an appearance on Annie Lennox's 2007 album, Songs Of Mass Destruction on the single "Sing". The track, about the fight against HIV and AIDS, included 22 other renowned female artists such as Madonna, Melissa Etheridge, Gladys Knight, and Celine Dion.
Shingai, along with Patti Smith and Juliette Lewis, helped celebrate Jack Daniel's birthday in Lynchburg, Tennessee, on 13 October 2007. The three were joined by The New Silver Cornet Band for the show, which took place at the company's distillery. The event was part of the 157th birthday celebrations for Jack Daniel, who was born in September 1850. The Birthday JD Set opened to specially invited guests and competition winners only.
On 19 November 2009, Shingai performed with rapper Dizzee Rascal at the Royal Albert Hall for an event to raise money for charity. Additional collaboration of Shingai with Rascal related to a version of the latter's song "Holiday".
Shingai is credited for vocals of Dennis Ferrer's "Hey Hey" dance/house track, released in late November 2009.
On 31 December 2009 Shingai was featured in the Annual Hootenanny 2010 show (aired by BBC), where she performed together with Jools Holland a version of "Don't Upset the Rhythm" and contributed to the vocals of tail-song "Down By The Riverside".
In 2013, Shingai appeared on the album Chrome Black Gold by Chrome Hoof, singing lead on four tracks. She also made appearances live with the band.
She released her first solo album, Too Bold, in October 2020.
On June 25, 2021 Mark Knight from Toolroom Records released his first album of original music entitled Untold Business with a track titled "Feel The Pressure" featuring Shingai on vocals. Later that summer she served as curator for the Southbank Centre Summer Reunion shows.
In 2017 she made a Cameo appearance appearance in Cook Off, a romantic comedy and Zimbabwe's first film to be streamed on Netflix.
In 2018 she starred in Joseph A. Adesunloye's multi-narrative drama, Faces alongside Terry Pheto.
In 2024 she starred in the British short Osoro by Sheila Nortley, a supernatural romance taking place in the noughties Black Britain. In 2025 it was announced that the short was being developed into a feature film with Shingai a returning member of the cast.
In 2016, she appeared in the "I've Got #Refugenes" campaign.
Music career
Critical response to Shingai's performance has largely been positive. Rolling Stone magazine said that "Shingai is a living, breathing manifestation of the rock & roll spirit, with a voice that is equal parts Iggy Pop and Billie Holiday."Goodman, Shingai (24 August 2006), "Noisettes", Rolling Stone (1007):93 In her stage persona, Shingai looks like what the New Yorker called "an African supermodel", and she frequently performs in bare feet while wearing face paint or fur hats on stage.
Acting career
Shingai provided the voice of the character Teal on the CBeebies show The Adventures of Abney & Teal that ran for two seasons between 2011 and 2012.
Philanthropy and advocacy
As part of Amnesty International's Make Some Noise campaign to raise awareness of the conflict in Darfur, appeared in the 2007 video singing John Lennon's song "Imagine" .
Solo discography
Studio albums
Extended plays
Singles
Noisettes discography
Collaborations
Equipment
External links
Categories: 1981 Births, Living People, 21st-century British Bass Guitarists, 21st-century Black British Women Singers, 21st-century British Women Singers, Actors From The London Borough Of Lewisham, Actresses From London, British Indie Rock Musicians, British Women Bass Guitarists, Chrome Hoof Members, English Bass Guitarists, British Feminist Writers, English Film Actresses, English People Of Zimbabwean Descent, English Punk Rock Singers, English Television Actresses, English Voice Actresses, English Women Guitarists, English Women In Electronic Music, English Women Songwriters, Feminist Musicians, Musicians From The London Borough Of Lewisham, People From Lewisham, Shona People, Singers From The London Borough Of Lewisham, British Women Punk Rock Singers, Noisettes Members
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