The Sunday Mail
SHE started off as a mere backing vocalist for the Queen of Zim dancehall, Sandra Gazi aka Lady Squanda, in July last year.
Although she started pursuing her musical career back in 2010, she remained largely an underground artiste recording music but not taking it public.
Mambokadzi Da Ruler, born Dorothy Karengo, is making momentous progress in her musical career – the 19-year-old has this year alone released several competitive songs on 12 hot Zim dancehall riddims.
As a way of introducing herself to the genre’s multitudes, the female chanter did a song on the Blouse & Skirt Riddim called “Mambokadzi Ndini”.
However, her unique creativity in song-writing was seen on the single she released this year where she basically introduced herself as an independent artiste in the industry.
Now under the tutelage of lyrical master and HKD boss Freeman aka Emergy Chizanga, Da Ruler is riding high with her new release “Love haina Chigangster” from the recently launched riddim, Sunshine Riddim.
Da Ruler attributes her success to her family. “I started doing music professionally in 2010, but the passion for music started at a tender age. My family and friends gave me unlimited support, encouraging me to follow my dreams,” she said.
“I decided to take up Zim dancehall music because most people of my age grew up on a diet of that genre. So inevitably I found myself wanting to be a part of that movement.
“I am driven by a desire to motivate other youths to follow their dreams.”
Da Ruler acknowledges that Lady Squanda, HKD and Sunshine Family have helped her in making her talent visible.
“My manager, Freeman, has been guiding me in writing my songs and voice projection and so has Lady Squanda,” she said.
This explains why she recorded a smash hit titled “Mangoma Hatimire” on the Cashlance Riddim produced by Cashlibs Studio and Trevor “Layaan” Chirumiko.
In March this year when DJ Chill for Real produced the Emotional Riddim, Da Ruler recorded her song “Pemberera Life”.
It received fair airplay compared to other artistes who recorded on the same riddim.
Within the same month she recorded “Ndakanyarara” on the Cutting Edge Riddim which was produced by The Sunshine Family and in May the teenage chanter released “Changosvika” on Body Slam Riddim which was produced by PTK.
During the same month, the Sunshine Family Released the Unstoppable Riddim and Da Ruler also recorded the song “Start it On”, where the chanter was expressing how she has so much confidence in her music.
Other tracks include “Kana Yarira”, a song which was recorded on Homerun Riddim and “Moyo Wangu” on the Bravery Riddim.
On the MadLevel Riddim she recorded “Tafara Pawauya” and on the Silent Killer Riddim she did “Vanotitarisa” -both produced by Chill Spot Records.
The 19-year-old grew up in Dzivaresekwa. She went to Marlborough Primary School in Harare between 2001 and 2007.
In 2008, she proceeded to St Eric’s High School in Norton for only two years before she was transferred to Dzivaresekwa 2 High School.
“I was transferred from Dzivaresekwa 2 High School before I completed my ‘O’ Levels at Rotterville College where I finished my Form 4 in 2011,” said the Zim dancehall chanter.
“Presently I am supplementing some of the subjects that I failed during my ‘O’ Level studies.”
Da Ruler’s rise comes at a time where female chanters are struggling to be recognised in the Zim dancehall movement.
