Vimbai Mango and Footshooter release the ‘Searching (Nzira)’ EP

Vimbai Mango and Footshooter’s EP is a journey of self-discovery and transformation, grounded in electronic textures, intricate jazz harmonies, and soulful vocal expression. Vimbai’s voice, woven through tender sung verses and delicate spoken word, unites broken beat rhythms with African-inspired instrumentation. The project includes the single of the same name, Searching (Nzira) which is out now.

Nzira, translates to “the journey” in Shona, a Bantu language spoken by the Shona people of Zimbabwe and Mozambique. “That’s exactly what this project has been,” Vimbai explains, adding, “it started at a time when so many of us were searching for connection and clarity. Nzira is a reflection of identity, heritage, and the power of collaboration. It’s about navigating where we’ve come from and where we’re going, through sound.”.

“The mission was to build something drawing on Vimbai’s Zimbabwean heritage but also paying homage to U.K. house, broken beat, jazz, soul and trip hop that we both love. We very much co-produced this one.” – Footshooter

Vimbai Mango’s sound blends electronic music with African rhythms, jazz instrumentation, and folk-spoken word in both English and Shona. Incorporating traditional instruments like the mbira, her work bridges ancestral roots and contemporary sonic landscapes. She has collaborated with artists such as Beringei, Arnheim, and Andrés Alcover, and performed at Glastonbury, Rich Mix, and with Bristol-based bands Konketsu and Matuki.

Footshooter, following his acclaimed album The Oasis, praised by Jamz Supernova, Joe-Armon Jones, and supported across BBC, NTS, and Jazz FM, joins Vimbai in this project. A resident of Balamii Radio and a fixture on stages like Love Supreme and We Out Here Festival, he brings his deep-rooted UK sound to the collaboration.