{{short description|Zimbabwean rapper (born 1984)}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Sugaspott | image = Sugaspott on stage.jpg | image_size = | caption = Sugaspott performing on stage | alt = Sugaspott performing on stage | birth_name = Shingirai Kaserera | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1984|6|14|df=y}} | birth_place = Harare, Zimbabwe<!-- the format is City, Country. --> | origin = Mutare, Zimbabwe | genre = Hip hop | occupation = Rapper | label = <!-- if not signed to a label, leave blank --> | website = {{URL|sugaspott.com}} }}
'''Shingirai Kaserera''' (born 14 June 1984), popularly known as '''Sugaspott''',<ref name="AM1">{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/sugaspott-mn0003007409 |title=Sugaspott | Discography |publisher=AllMusic |date=1984-06-14 |accessdate=2015-02-26}}</ref> is a Zimbabwean rapper. He was born and raised in Zimbabwe before moving to the United Kingdom. He headlined on the main stage at Brentford Festival in 2010 and 2013.<ref name="brentfest10">{{cite web |url=http://www.brentfordfestival.org.uk/BF2010.htm#bands |title=Brentford Festival 2010 |publisher=Brentfordfestival.org.uk |date= |access-date=2015-02-26 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140601214715/http://www.brentfordfestival.org.uk/BF2010.htm#bands |archive-date=2014-06-01 }}</ref><ref name="brentfest13">{{cite web|url=http://www.brentfordfestival.org.uk/BF2013.htm#bands |title=Brentford Festival 2013 |publisher=Brentfordfestival.org.uk |date=2013-08-23 |accessdate=2015-02-26}}</ref> He represented Zimbabwe at the Golborne World Music Festival in 2010.<ref name="youtube1">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=za38JRGvUrg |title=NORTH AFRICAN ARTS W10 PRESENT SUGASPOTT @ GOLBORNE WORLD MUSIC 2010 |publisher=YouTube |date=2010-08-09 |accessdate=2015-02-26}}</ref>
==Biography== ===Life and music career=== Sugaspott was born in Harare, Zimbabwe but grew up mostly in Mutare.<ref name="ladygee2">{{cite web|url=http://www.ladygee2.com/artist_profiles.html |access-date=February 23, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120727172125/http://www.ladygee2.com/artist_profiles.html |archive-date=July 27, 2012 |title=Artist Profiles }}</ref> It wasn't until after completing his high school education that he began to make records.[6] Mentored by various small groups similarly trying to establish themselves, he collaborated with local acts such as Mizchif.<ref name="ladygee2"/> He moved to London in 2005 to study<ref name="KU">{{cite web|url=http://law.kingston.ac.uk/news-events/news/201203/mind-gap-prime-minister-kingston-law-student-meets-david-cameron-london-unde |access-date=February 23, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130501061903/http://law.kingston.ac.uk/news-events/news/201203/mind-gap-prime-minister-kingston-law-student-meets-david-cameron-london-unde |archive-date=May 1, 2013 |title="Mind the Gap, Prime Minister" - Kingston law student meets David Cameron on the London underground | Kingston Law School, London }}</ref> and it is there that he decided to pursue a career in music and tried to get his music noticed recording a number of demos that did not materialise into anything. He is known to have sold his own music by hand and developed his fan base by cold selling his music to them in the street.<ref name="pirate party">{{cite web|url=http://www.pirateparty.org.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=649 |title=Pirate Party UK Forum • View topic - AN ACTUAL STRUGGLING ARTIST supports PPUK |publisher=Pirateparty.org.uk |date= |accessdate=2015-02-26}}</ref><ref name="youtube2">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cev9r8xCMNY |title=SugaSpott - Live on Carnaby Street, London (Early in his Career) |publisher=YouTube |date=2013-04-11 |accessdate=2015-02-26}}</ref> He worked with a number of other unsigned artists hoping that opportunities would arise as a cooperative result. Independent releases, shows at various venues and tireless self-promotion saw him garner attention,<ref name="FF">{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.femalefirst.co.uk/music/features/Introducing+Sugaspott-13968.html |title=Introducing : Sugaspott |publisher=Femalefirst.co.uk |date=2010-11-08 |accessdate=2015-02-26}}</ref> eventually impressing Tom Robinson enough<ref name="TomRob">{{cite web|url=http://freshonthenet.co.uk/2013/08/mixtape20130826/#sugaspott |title=Introducing Mixtape 26 Aug 2013 |publisher=Fresh On The Net |date=2013-08-26 |accessdate=2015-02-26}}</ref> to warrant rotation on BBC Radio's 6Music.<ref name="BBC_Play">{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b039hlzg |title=BBC Radio 6 Music - The Tom Robinson Show, With Elia and The Low Tears in session |publisher=Bbc.co.uk |date=2013-08-31 |accessdate=2015-02-26}}</ref>
===Genre and style=== His lyrics contain a lot of emphasis on Zimbabwe and is quoted saying “I consider it an honorable burden to bear but a lot of my material is centered on removing the stereotype of Zimbabwe around the globe”.<ref name="ZH">{{cite web|author=Shingirai Huni |url=http://www.herald.co.zw/kaserera-raises-zim-flag-high/ |title=Kaserera raises Zim flag high |publisher=The Herald |date=2013-08-07 |accessdate=2015-02-26}}</ref> He is notable for seeking to create non-violent, positive rap lyrics<ref name="FF"/> and is listed under political rap on Allmusic.<ref name="AM1"/> In 2009, he opened the show for Navin Kundra and The Dhol Foundation<ref name="FB1">{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/events/174099337343/ |title=SPOTLIGHT's 3rd BIRTHDAY BASH!!! |publisher=Facebook |date=2009-11-13 |accessdate=2015-02-26}}</ref> and a few months later for Apache Indian<ref name="FB2">{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/events/245217868191/ |title=SPOTLIGHT... comes to Brum! |publisher=Facebook |date= |accessdate=2015-02-26}}</ref> as part of a collective of unsigned artists who supported a series of shows around the UK.<ref name="ZH"/>
==Discography== <ref name="am1">{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/sugaspott-mn0003007409/discography/all |title=Sugaspott | Discography |publisher=AllMusic |date=1984-06-14 |accessdate=2015-02-26}}</ref> [[File:Sugaspott and Ameet Chana on stage.jpg|thumb|Ameet Chana interviewing Sugaspott on stage after performing at Chiswick Town Hall in 2009.]]
===Albums=== * ''This Is My Story'' (2009) <ref name="itunes1">{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/this-is-my-story/376623790 |title=iTunes - Music - This Is My Story by Sugaspott |publisher=iTunes |date=2010-07-19 |access-date=2015-02-26}}</ref> * ''Damage Limitation'' (2010) <ref name="itunes2">{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/damage-limitation/376623522 |title=iTunes - Music - Damage Limitation by Sugaspott |publisher=iTunes |date=2010-07-19 |access-date=2015-02-26}}</ref> * ''Damage Limitation Part 2: Broken Sanctuary'' (2014) <ref name="itunes3">{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/damage-limitation-part-2-broken-sanctuary/781989245 |title=iTunes - Music - Damage Limitation Part 2: Broken Sanctuary by Sugaspott |publisher=iTunes |date=2013-12-12 |access-date=2015-02-26}}</ref>
===Singles=== * "Sugaspott's Hiphop" (2010) <ref name="itunes4">{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/sugaspotts-hiphop/376623920 |title=iTunes - Music - Sugaspott's Hiphop by Sugaspott |publisher=iTunes |date=2010-07-19 |access-date=2015-02-26}}</ref> * "Bhogo Bhogo" (2010) <ref name="itunes5">{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/bhogo-bhogo-single/403637962 |title=iTunes - Music - Bhogo Bhogo - Single by Sugaspott |publisher=iTunes |date=2010-12-20 |access-date=2015-02-26}}</ref> * "Real Hiphop" (2010) <ref name="itunes6">{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/real-hiphop-single/408150302 |title=iTunes - Music - Real Hiphop - Single by Sugaspott |publisher=iTunes |date=2010-12-03 |access-date=2015-02-26}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}
==External links== *[http://www.sugaspott.co.uk/ Official website]
{{Authority control}}
Category:1984 births Category:Living people Category:Zimbabwean rappers