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Ruth Butaumocho
At the age of six and possibly still struggling to make an impression on this world, Feli Nandi already knew how to tap her feet, clap her hands and swirl to musical beats from the radio or the church choir.

Whilst girls of her age where still fascinated with Barbie dolls and playing house, Feli would spend long hours with her mother being taught how to sing hymns and maintain good posture to go along with the vocals,

However, her romance with music was cut short at 15, when her mother who was her pillar of inspiration passed on.

Heart broken and failure to cope with her mother’s death put an end to her love for music which had become part of her life at such a tender age.

Her immediate concern then was to how to navigate the treacherous journey of losing a mother at such age.

Ten years later, Feli — born Felistas Winnie Chipendo — retraced her footsteps back to music and is proving to be a force to reckon with on the local music industry.

Since 2018, two years, after venturing into to showbiz, she has already had her fair share of fame, a feat, she was however quick to dismiss.

“I have not done much. I am still trying to find my feet in the industry,” revealed Feli in an interview recently.

What she was quick to admit was her passionate for music.

“I love music. I am here to fulfil my (late) mother’s aspiration and also spread the love that is abundant in every song and in every musical journey.”

Her love and passion for music is unmistakably clear following a series of collaborations she has held with several artistes within a short period of time in addition to being a backing vocalist to several high profile local musicians.

She provided backing vocals to Jah Prayzah’s recently released album, “Gwara”, on three tracks — “Gwara”, “Mbwende” and “Mhaka”.

Feli has collaborated with a number of local artistes, Trevor Dongo, Batsirai Shasha, Lazzie T, singer-songwriter Godfrey Chirau, better known as Solution GC and talented guitarist and singer Progress Chipfumo.

Her collaboration with Dongo titled “Mufudzi Wemombe” propelled her to fame within a short period of time, and her journey was set.

Although her voice was pitied against a renowned ballad singer, whose song “Ndashamisika” has since found space in almost every woman’s musical collection, Feli’s voice flowed most easily, blending well with Dongo, undoubtedly one of the most charismatic and talented urban groovers.

Feli re-ignited her passion for music by starting off as a backing vocalist for Mbeu in 2018.

Confident enough that she could face the world without riding on anyone’s name, she embarked on a solo musical career in August 2020.

In less than a year, she has released 10 singles, the majority of which have been well received by her growing list of fans.

“Munhu Wangu”, a love ballad won her fans, most whom are already drawing parallels between her and the late mbira maestro, Chiwoniso Maraire, because of her Afro-fusion contemporary beat.

“No, no, it is not like that,” Feli was quick to say. “Yes, I am inspired by Chiwoniso’s works, but I believe the shoes are too big for me.”

Being likened to the late talented mbira player and singer has spurred Feli to dream big.

“My team and I have already started working on yet another musical project that we will release soon,” she said. “We will soon be going to Mutare to shoot a video called Izwi.”

Despite the advent of Covid-19 that has stalled most artistic projects and live shows, Feli, who is also an Ankara dress designer, is optimistic about the future.

“I held two shows at the Theatre in the Park before the lockdown and both were sold out. Given the ideal environment and the necessary support, the future looks promising.”

This feeling of hope is something Feli manages to capture in her song, “Woman” in which she talks about not giving up no matter how bad the situation might be.

It is also moments where Feli is singing alone that one cannot help but marvel at her artistry finesse on vocals.