Story by Zanele Ndlovu
BULAWAYO-based Afro-soul artist and songwriter, Magret Maganzo, popularly known as Maggie Soul Bird, has released her second studio album, The Genesis, in a live launch held at the Khulumani FM radio studios in Bulawayo.
The album, which draws from Maggie’s personal experiences and early musical influences, showcases a fusion of genres including reggae, soul, and hip-hop, reflecting the artist’s diverse upbringing and creative journey.
“Why I named this album The Genesis the music in there stems from a lot of genres. There’s reggae, there’s soul and hip-hop. This is the music I grew up listening to, and that is where it all began,” Maggie explained during the launch.
A gifted writer from a young age, Maggie began composing poetry and songs at the age of nine.
She credits her primary school teacher for nurturing her love for writing and her brother for introducing her to music.
“Writing started at a very young age. I was inspired by my teacher through poems and compositions. When it comes to music, I drew inspiration from my brother,” she added.
Tracks on The Genesis include titles such as The Valley, Conscious, Rock and Roll Lover, and Rainbow Love, with lyrics that explore identity, love, and consciousness.
Beyond the melodies, Maggie Soul Bird’s music delivers a strong social message. She urged fellow young artists to use their platforms to speak out against societal challenges such as drug and substance abuse and domestic violence.
“Just as the issues of domestic violence and drug and substance abuse have become a public menace, we must talk about them. It’s difficult seeing the youth affected, but we need to find the strength to uplift them so they become better people,” she said.
Maggie also praised the government’s community radio initiative, which she said was instrumental in providing platforms for emerging artists and promoting grassroots talent.
“I’m grateful for community radio stations like Khulumani FM that give artists a voice and promote our work to wider audiences,” she said.
As her voice echoes across the airwaves, The Genesis marks not only a musical milestone for Maggie Soul Bird, but also a call to action for youth to find purpose and expression through the arts.
