Mary Anibal is a name that has been gaining fame and acclaim as the years go by. She is a Zimbabwean songstress who mostly works in the Afro-fusion genre. Other titles she claims are mbira player, songwriter, music educator and percussionist.
Her career started as a session musician and progressed to her becoming artist in the band of one of Zimbabwe’s most recognized artists to finally taking centre stage and shining like the star she was made to be.
An alumni of Zimbabwean music education institution, Crossroads Zimbabwe, Mary Anibal began her career as a session musician in 2016 where she played mbira. She has gone on to perform as a member of 3G band that backs one of Zimbabwe’s most towering musical acts, Jah Prayzah.
She has produced a number of singles which have gained airplay not only locally in Zimbabwe but across the world. Perhaps one of her most noticeable songs is “Mvura” a mbira backed track which speak on themes of nature and the arrival of rain. Her most recent solo release is titled “Vana Ava” speaks of the injustices and strife children face in a damaged society.
It is also a plea for the older generation to care for the future generation. Her incandescent talent has given her the chance to perform across her native Zimbabwe as well as Tanzania, Ivory Coast, Canada and the United Arab Emirates. She is the recipient of the 2023 Zimbabwe Music Award in the category of ‘Best Traditional (Chinyakare/Chimurenga)’.
Now the multifaceted musician is set to release her debut album titled “Maria Wenyu” at Alliance Françoise in the heart of Harare. The album is reported to tackle heavy themes such as human trafficking, mental health and child abuse. Tickets for the event are already on sale. The event is set for the 8th of June.