Shingai’s ‘Too Bold’ video is a powerful celebration of independent women and black excellence
Musician and singer Shingai is continuing her campaign to inspire others to greatness with the release of a spectacular music video for her song ‘Too Bold’.
The Zimbabwean-British musician, known to many as frontwoman of the alternative rock group Noisettes, released her first full-length solo album in October last year.
Speaking to BBC London News, Shingai Shoniwa described her album Too Bold as a “call to bring people together”, when people are often told they are “too large”, “too dark”, and so on.
The title track tells Shingai’s own story, and her intent (“don’t let them tell you you’re too dark”), beautifully. For the video, she assembled a group of independent female musicians and artists, including DJ Lara Fraser, Big Joanie, Izzy Phillips (of Black Honey), The Tuts (Nadia Javed, Berverly Hishmael, Harriet Doveton), Fay Milton of Savages, and others.
Directed by award-winning director Sheila Nortley, the video sees Shingai singing, striking poses, and cycling – handsfree while playing her guitar – amid the parks and green spaces of Crystal Palace. Always one for celebrating her African heritage, she wears several colourful outfits as the song progresses. And she is joined by her fellow creative women and girls as the song builds to its crescendo.
See the full video below:
This video also brings to mind the likes of Solange’s ‘Don’t Touch My Hair’ and Denai Moore’s ‘Does It Get Easier?’ in its masterful construction. Shingai’s latest video feels like a powerful celebration of women, independence and blackness.
How Shingai has been supporting other artists
The release of Shingai’s ‘Too Bold’ music video has been accompanied by a remix, featuring Nova Twins, Tawiah, Celisse, Jelly Cleaver, Megan Coleman, MVM, and Ala.ni.
Following her own personal hardships with the music industry, producing music and visuals of this quality is a testament to Shingai’s skill and determination as an artist, and those who’ve supported her. Too Bold is a majestic album of African heat and fierce female energy.
It has been very difficult to hold on to work and stay positive as this pandemic has gripped the world, let alone pursue one’s dreams. Somehow, Shingai managed to mix and release her album, and then spent the remainder of 2020 shining a light on fellow artists and creatives through her #TooBold campaign.
Shingai and her team have spoken to music manager Danai Mavunga, hip hop artists Mikel Ameen and Lioness, and performing arts Cherrelle Skeete and Shiloh Coke, to name but a few.
In these difficult times, this kind of community spirit is keeping creativity and positivity alive.
You can keep up with Shingai on Instagram. Too Bold is available to purchase on her Bandcamp page.