BY DR TONY MICHEL MONDA
RnB artist, stylist and fashion designer Rachel ‘Rae Rae’ Jambaya, popularly known as Rachel J, is a Zimbabwean singer, songwriter, television personality, businesswoman and philanthropist.
Rachel J embarked on her music career in 2016 with the release of her debut album, “Triumph,” a gospel dedication to her grandmother, Gogo Phoeby a peasant farmer in Gweru, who raised her after the loss of her parents.
Following her success with Triumph, in 2018 the singer-songwriter began to release a number of singles including the Afro-fusion track entitled ‘Makwikwi’. The solo track went on high rotation on Zimbabwe’s radio stations featuring on charts for several weeks.
This inspired the dancehall genre ‘Makwikwi Reloaded’ which featured Zim dancehall artists, the late Soul Jah Love, Sniper Storm and Lady Squanda released in December 2018.
In 2019, whilst working on her debut album, Rachel J released a jazz track entitled ‘Njiva’ in collaboration with Dereck Mpofu. It was followed by ‘Bada Boom’, a sassy and fast beat party song which she co-wrote and featured Zimbabwe’s award-winning Urban Groove star, Roki. Bada Boom was followed by ‘Ngoro’, featuring Enzo Ishall, which sparked some controversy in Zimbabwe.
Rachel J delivered another gospel song entitled ‘Hallelujah’ in April 2020, this track also did well on radio and TV. In 2021 the talented musician released another Afro-fusion track ‘Strong Black Man’ which featured Novi Keys, followed by the release of the track ‘FambaiMberi’ in 2022.
Besides her music, the energetic entrepreneur is known to help underprivileged young girls and women through the Rachel J Foundation, which recently hosted a young women empowerment workshop on business leadership.
Born in the Midlands province of Kwekwe, Rachel Jambaya grew up in Gweru where she received her early education. After completing high school at 16, she enrolled at a local college to further her education. Jambaya’s thirst for knowledge led her to South Africa, where she undertook a degree in Fashion and Interior Designing. Rachel J’s entrepreneurial flair led her to establish an interior design company, catering to prominent Zimbabwean personalities.
She believes her upbringing in a challenging environment instilled resilience and determination in her.
Jambaya’s business interests span mining, transport, logistics, fruit and vegetables, fuel, luxury buses and farming under Jarach Investments, with established businesses in Zimbabwe and South Africa Rachel Jambaya hopes to expand on the international market as she continues to establish herself as a versatile and resilient business woman.
A sought after fashion and interior designer Jambaya has succeeded in dressing prominent personalities in the business and arts circles, Rachel continues chasing after her passion for fashion and establishing herself as a guru in the fashion industry.
Amongst her notable achievements, besides earning recognition for her musical talent, Rachel Jambaya received the ‘Most Outstanding Beautiful Woman in Zimbabwe’ award in 2018, at the Zimbabwe Models Awards.
In 2021, Rachel ‘Rae Rae’ Jambaya published “A Life of Sacrifice”, a biography on Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa.
Dr. Tony Michel Monda is an arts, culture and music critic for Gemnation News. He holds a PhD. in Art Theory and Philosophy and a DBA in Post-Colonial Heritage Studies. For Comments E-mail: tonym.MONDA@gmail.com
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