Campaign Story
My Reason Why
Music heals me.
It’s not just something I perform — it’s how I survive. It’s how I process trauma, reconnect with my ancestry, and understand my purpose. Through rhythm and vibration, I hear the echoes of my heritage and the stories carried in my DNA.
The mbira — the instrument at the center of my music — is more than sound. In my culture, it is a bridge between the living and the ancestors. It is an ancient telephone to the spirit realm. When I play, I am not just performing — I am creating a portal. A space where we can move between the physical and the spiritual, between memory and healing. Music carried me through childhood trauma. It carried me through depression after a nearly fatal car accident that changed lives forever. When everything else felt unstable, music remained. It became the place where I could create freely — without restriction, without shame, without limitation.
My name is Piwai, and this is my fundraising campaign.
Up 'Til Now
For years, I’ve dedicated my life to sharing this music around the world. I had the honor of performing on Fantastic Negrito’s Grammy Award–winning album Last Days of Oakland and touring on his White Jesus Black Problems tour. I’ve collaborated with and opened for artists like Thomas Mapfumo & Blacks Unlimited and performed at festivals and venues across the United States and internationally — from the Tallinn Music Festival in Estonia to Stanford University, the WorldBeat Center, Ashkenaz, the New Parish, and many more.
I’ve been recognized by the Mayor of Long Beach for my cultural contributions through music. But beyond accolades, what matters most to me is creating spaces where people reconnect — to heritage, to healing, to themselves.
Now I’m ready to create my next body of work — a project that goes deeper into this idea of musical “teleportation,” using mbira and modern production to build a bridge between tradition and the present moment.
What's Next
To bring this vision fully to life, I’ve partnered with Edgewater Music Group, and we already have major-label distribution lined up for this release. The infrastructure is there. The audience is there. The music is ready.
The Challenge
But as an independent artist, making a record at this level requires significant resources — studio time, musicians, production, mixing, mastering, visuals, and global release support. That’s where you come in.
This is an all-or-nothing fundraising campaign. If we hit our goal, we move forward and bring this project into the world at the level it deserves. If we don’t, the project cannot move forward in the same way.
PERKS
And we’ve got some very cool rewards lined up as a thank you for your support. Copies of the new record, private shows, merch packs, and unique offerings only available on this campaign.
Your support isn’t just helping fund an album. It’s helping preserve cultural tradition. It’s helping transform trauma into healing. It’s helping create music that bridges generations.
Thank You!
If you believe in independent artists, if you believe in heritage, healing, and music as a force for connection — I invite you to be part of this journey.
Thank you so much for your love and support. I literally wouldn’t and couldn’t do this without you!
–Piwai
Monetary Donation
If you would like to support the campaign without receiving any rewards
($10 minimum)
Digital Download
Estimated delivery: February 2027
CD
Get your physical copy of the music to go along with the digital download of the new record on release day!
*INCLUDES ALL LOWER TIER REWARDS!
Estimated delivery: February 2027
Limited Edition T-Shirt
Exclusive Limited Edition T-Shirt — this shirt will only be available through this fundraising campaign and will never be sold at retail! Get yours while you still can!
*INCLUDES ALL LOWER TIER REWARDS!
*Choose t-shirt size at checkout: S - XXXL
Estimated delivery: February 2027
Name in Record Thank You's
Your name goes in the album credits as a thank you—and I'll totally mean it, too!
*INCLUDES ALL LOWER TIER REWARDS!
*Choose t-shirt size at checkout: S - XXXL
Estimated delivery: February 2027
Early Bird Special
Get your music (all formats) way ahead of the public release day!
*INCLUDES ALL LOWER TIER REWARDS!
*Choose t-shirt size at checkout: S - XXXL
Estimated delivery: November 2026
African Turquoise Deluxe Set
Award-winning album "African Turquoise" CD (Vol I-III) and lead sheet book with liner notes by renowned photojournalist, Eric Arnold
*INCLUDES ALL LOWER TIER REWARDS!
*Choose t-shirt size at checkout: S - XXXL
Estimated delivery: November 2026
Merch Pack
Merch Pack includes: (1) Black Hoodie w/ Turquoise Logo + (1) Rope Hat w/ Turquoise Logo + (1) Limited Edition T-Shirt + (1) Ndebele Tribe Cape/Vest + (1) Honey and Tea Package + (1) Kesto Biltong Package (African Jerk) ... PLUS African Turquoise Deluxe Set + Name in Record Thank You's + Early Bird Special (including CD + DDL)!!!
*INCLUDES ALL LOWER TIER REWARDS!
*Choose t-shirt size at checkout: S - XXXL
Estimated delivery: November 2026
Solo Acoustic Show
Piwai will come to your house (within 300 miles of San Francisco, CA OR Houston, TX area) and perform a living room or backyard acoustic show for your friends and family! Perfect for house or dinner parties, birthdays, anniversaries, or other small gatherings.
*Note: if located outside of this mile radius, additional travel and/or lodging expenses may be incurred and/or scheduling availability may be prioritized around tour schedule.
*INCLUDES ALL LOWER TIER REWARDS!
*Choose t-shirt size at checkout: S - XXXL
Estimated delivery: November 2026
Limited Handcrafted Mbira
Claim a rare handcrafted mbira in one of two forms: the Nyunga Nyunga (15 Keys), ideal for beginners and modern musicians, or the traditional Mbira DzeVadzimu (22–28 Keys), prized for its rich ceremonial depth and layered resonance.
Each mbira is fully playable, professionally crafted for real musical use, and beautiful enough to display as a collectible piece of art. A meaningful piece of living heritage, this is an instrument to play, treasure, and pass down. Limited quantities available.
*INCLUDES ALL LOWER TIER REWARDS!
*Choose mbira (modern or traditional) and t-shirt size at checkout: S - XXXL
Estimated delivery: November 2026
Trio Acoustic Show
Piwai and two instrumentalists will come to your home (within 300 miles of San Francisco, CA OR Houston, TX) and perform a living room or backyard acoustic show for your friends and family! Perfect for house or dinner parties, birthdays, anniversaries, or other small-to-medium gatherings.
*Note: if located outside of mile radius, additional travel and/or lodging expenses may be incurred and/or scheduling availability may be prioritized around tour schedule.
*INCLUDES ALL LOWER TIER REWARDS!
*Choose mbira (modern or traditional) and t-shirt size at checkout: S - XXXL
Estimated delivery: November 2026
Full Band Private Show
Get the full-band experience at a location of your choosing (within 300 miles of San Francisco, CA OR Houston, TX) with a 90-minute set for your friends and family! Perfect for a wedding, company event, or other private events.
*Note: if located outside of mile radius, additional travel and/or lodging expenses may be incurred and/or scheduling availability may be prioritized around tour schedule.
*INCLUDES ALL LOWER TIER REWARDS!
*Choose mbira (modern or traditional) and t-shirt size at checkout: S - XXXL
Estimated delivery: November 2026
Executive Producer
The ultimate prize pack -- be an executive producer on this record, where your name will be prominently listed in the credits of the record for all eternity!
*ALL REWARDS INCLUDED!
*Choose mbira (modern or traditional) and t-shirt size at checkout: S - XXXL
Estimated delivery: November 2026