Based: Cape Town
In a country like Zimbabwe, with rhythm pouring through its vibrant veins, growing up with an undeterrable connection to music was an inevitability for Gemma.
After completing her high school education in Zimbabwe, Gemma travelled to Snow College in the USA to study towards a Bachelor’s degree in Commercial Music Composition. She studied trumpet, piano and voice.
In 2016 Gemma spent time in Cape Town, South Africa for recording – and played shows with South African artists such as Jimmy Nevis; Majozi; Goodluck; Freshly Ground and Matthew Mole. Gemma managed to continue working closely with Zimbabwean musicians whilst in Cape Town, sharing the stage at the Kirstenbosch Summer Concerts with one of Zimbabwe’s top artists – Jah Prayzah as well as with Zimbabwean legend Oliver Mtukudzi at
Artscape Theatre.
Whilst making regular trips back to Zimbabwe to perform at festivals such as HIFA; Miombo Magic and Shoko, Gemma’s faithful fan base grew with speed. Amongst the Zimbabweans and the diaspora, Gemma Griffiths quickly became a household name. With a large Zimbabwean following in the UK, Gemma travelled to London to perform at Zimfest in 2015 and again in 2019, as well as the Zimbabwe Achievers Awards. She performed at Sofar Sounds in London 2017, as well as performing for the Uk’s prestigious music channel ‘Mahogany Sessions’.
As her career takes new strides in the international scene, Gemma’s passion for her country, and its’ melting pot of energy and rhythm, remains the driving force of her work. With an ever growing drive to open doors for Zimbabwe’s music industry – it’s safe to say that the 25 year old is on the brink of something big. Gemma moved her base back home to Zimbabwe, working alongside artists and studios in Harare, including the Chillspot Recordz in Mbare, where she holds a track on the Rematare Riddim – entitled “Titungamire”.
In 2018 Gemma began her newest project – to write an album on the road, and has since moved a studio into a Landrover Defender, and driven over 24,000km through 10 countries in Southern and East Africa. Now, in 2020, the project is still ongoing, with over 500 days on the road, Gemma is building up to her Debut Album