Zahara’s Bold Musical Experiment Of Rihanna’s “Lift Me Up” Didn’t Go So Well
Cultural Twist: An IsiXhosa Rendition of Rihanna's Hit
In a daring musical move, South African singing sensation Zahara performed an isiXhosa version of Rihanna’s “Lift Me Up” from the “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” movie soundtrack. This audacious rendition came after claims that Zahara’s vocals bore a resemblance to the Barbadian superstar’s.
The performance, which took place live on stage, was captured and shared on social media platforms. However, the reception was mixed. While some appreciated Zahara’s unique take on the song, others were less than impressed. Comments ranged from questioning if she was under the influence during the performance to drawing parallels with other artists.
Thibang Zahara😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/pvsMF7kGIM
— Koke (@Koke_Moshe) September 25, 2023
One user, @Rori_Ramorena, asked, “Is she drunk again?” while another, @kaymo058, commented, “It’s giving Yvonne vibes.” Some even expressed concern for Zahara’s well-being, suggesting that she might be facing challenges in her personal life that are reflecting in her performances. User @MagabaSana mentioned, “Someone is sabotaging this girl,” and @Sli_Simelane observed, “Lately almost every performance of hers gives me the impression that she doesn’t care anymore.”
Despite the criticism, Zahara remains undeterred. In a post-performance reflection, she shared a screenshot on her Instagram where fans claimed her vocals sounded similar to Rihanna’s. Embracing the comparison, Zahara tagged Rihanna and playfully suggested a collaboration, writing, “@badgalriri a collab maybe?”
You're right. However, doing this for as long as she has, you can't be having transition and key issues. She needs to respect herself and her craft
— ThunkAboutIt (@EdibleBloke) September 25, 2023
While it remains to be seen if such a collaboration will materialize, Zahara’s boldness in experimenting with her music is commendable. The world of music thrives on innovation, and artists like Zahara are at the forefront of pushing boundaries and challenging the status quo.
