I’m Mary Anibal

Mary Anibal is a dynamic Zimbabwean musician whose Afro-fusion music is a voice that inspires people from all walks of life through compositions that blends folk and traditional music. Born in Harare and growing up in Mabelreign, the Afro-fusion artist was surrounded by music – her entire family sings. This kindled her passion and she started performing at age 6 in church and school. After high school, Mary bought her first mbira and started taking music seriously. Since then, Mary has taken command of all the stages she has set foot on.

Mary’s music often reflects her culture and traditional background, as well as her African heritage. She frequently uses social issues, using them as a means of exploring her own identity and experiences. Her work also incorporates elements of surrealism and folk art. However, her legacy is enduring, and she is now considered one of the most important artists of her generation.

She started her professional career in 2016 as a session musician, working with Jah Prayzah, Josh Meck, Houz of Gruv (now Kulcha Houz) and other prominent artists. Her moment of reckoning came in 2017 when she performed at the Harare International Festival of the Arts (HIFA) with Soa Roy, a group from Madagascar, and Forest Jam (Switzerland). In 2019, she participated in the Imagine Music Experience in the Netherlands with Wenyombwe, an afro-fusion ensemble from her hometown. As the Zimbabwe/Africa representatives, they won the international all-style music competition for young musicians. In Wenyombwe, Mary was the only female lead vocalist, mbira player and hosho player (percussionist).

She went on to launch her solo career in 2020 with the release of her debut single ‘Bhonzo Muderere’. The following year, she graduated from the Music Crossroads Academy in Harare with a music Diploma and joined Jah Prayzah’s 3G Band. In 2022, she released three more singles, ‘Gogoride’, ‘Mvura’ and ‘Narini’. Apart from playing on Zimbabwean radio stations and television, her music has been on heavy rotation in Canada on Karibuni CUIT 89.5 FM.

Mary Anibal is one of the few female artists who have mastered mbira. Not only does she fuse it into different genres – she also nurtures an interest in traditional percussion instruments in her students. She taught music professionally at Zimbabwe Theatre Academy in 2021 and currently teaches at her alma mater, Music Crossroads Zimbabwe from 2022 to date, Eaglesvale Senior School and Hartman House Primary as a vocal coach. In June of 2023 she was nominated for the Best Traditional (Chinyakare/Chimurenga) Song at the esteemed Zimbabwe Music Awards (ZIMA) alongside other seasoned contenders and she won the award.

Her vision is to build on the legacy of legends like Chiwoniso Maraire that left a void in the industry for someone with her sound and energy to speak hope into people’s lives. Mary has spiraled into stardom ever since and her determination clearly sets her onto a path of greatness.