Van Choga Biography | Real Name | Secret Behind Hairstyle | Career as a Musician | Leaving Yala Nation | Albums
Van Choga is a Zimdancehall musician who rose to prominence at the height of the Covid-19 lockdowns and pandemic. His energetic performances in live-streamed shows captivated audiences and propelled him to stardom.
Real Name
Van Choga’s real name is Valentine Simbarashe Choga.
Secret Behind Hairstyle
It’s not just his music that sets him apart; it’s his distinctive unkempt hair, which he revealed is a homage to his father’s long hair, serving as an inspiration for his unique trademark. In an interesting twist, he doesn’t celebrate his own birthday but rather commemorates his hair’s “birthday” every July, marking the years he has kept his iconic hairstyle.
“I do not celebrate my birthday, but I celebrate my hair’s birthday. I have kept my hair for the past six years and every July I eat, drink and get merry in celebration of my hair’s ‘birthday. My hairstyle is an honour to my icon and hero who is my father. He is the one who showed me this kind of style,” he said.
Career as a Musician
Van Choga’s journey as a musician started back in 2005, and he recorded his first song in 2010 after completing his O-level education. He even had the opportunity to collaborate with the Ghanaian internet sensation Ay Poyoo on the track “Ghetto Rules.”
Leaving Yala Nation
In July 2022, Van Choga decided to part ways with Seh Calaz‘s Yala Nation record label. Through a press statement on Facebook, he announced his departure, citing issues with the working environment and claims of suppressed content.
Seh Calaz countered by stating that he had supported Van Choga financially.
He added that the Yala Nation label gave Van Choga all his music accounts, back including the iTunes account and music that he had recorded after terminating his contract.
Albums
- Mwari vanerudo
- Album Ra Van Choga
