Artist/Activist Shungudzo Releases Single “White Parents” 

"a grungy alt-pop broadside against those who give their heart based on skin" - Consequence of SoundH

Today, Zimbabwean-American artist/activist Shungudzo has released “White Parents”, an unflinching proclamation to anyone who has fetishized a person of color. The forthright and provocative single premiered Wednesday on Consequence of Sound’s Origin series. See here: https://consequence.net/2021/04/shungudzo-origins-white-parents-stream/.

While many songs by female artists embrace being desired by the masses, “White parents” does the opposite and calls out anyone who treats dating a person of color as a prize or simply a hobby. “It’s for anyone who has been called “exotic” or treated like a sexual box to tick rather than like a human being,” says Shungudzo of the track.”It’s also a message to all of those box tickers, inspired by some of my ex lovers and their families, who were okay with giving me the girlfriend experience, but who also eventually made it very clear that, come marriage time, I would not be the one due to differences in race, nationality, religion or economic standing.” Shungudzo makes the message of the song clear in the main line of the hook, singing, “You want to use me, until you're finished, but you would never take me home to your White Parents.” The official video will be released in the coming weeks.

“White Parents” is the fourth single release from Shungudzo’s upcoming debut album, I’m not a mother but I have children (Svikiro Records/ Young Forever/BMG) out June 18th. The 16-track album is a testimony to her life both growing up in Zimbabwe and now living in America and her talent in making songs and poems that uplift, excavate and enlighten. A musical awakening, the album encourages listeners to look inside themselves, embrace their good, analyze their intentions, and rethink life’s priorities.

In 2020, the world was shaken by first a pandemic and second, the racial injustice protests following the death of George Floyd. In this period, Shungudzo took pen to paper to create a project that would confront the topics that so many musicians ignore, “I believe that if we look within, and work together, we can build a better world, or at least lay the foundation for future generations to do so, she states.”

When Shungudzo was five years old, she made a promise to herself to write a poem every day for the rest of her life. In addition to her own poetry and songwriting, Shungudzo has written for Little Mix, Chiiild, and Jessie Ware among others. She is also a talented dancer and gymnast, and was the first female artistic gymnast of color to compete on the Zimbabwean National Team. Before pursuing music full time, she ran a media company and attended Stanford University. She now lives in Los Angeles.

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