Phreshy: From Cyphers to Awards

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Precious Herschneider Frank, popularly known as Phreshy, was born on December 5, 1994. Growing up in Kwekwe, Phreshy began her musical journey in 2014 when she started rapping in high school cyphers.

By Tanaka Denglish

During these sessions, she often performed Nicki Minaj’s songs, an artist she has credited as a major influence on her career. This early experience helped shape her future in the music industry, where she would later participate in notable platforms like VicTaks’ “Female 16” cypher video alongside artists such as Nina Grande, Mel C, Tru North, and Daruler.

Her passion for hip-hop led her to form a group called Major Squad with three other members, where they recorded their own music. However, Phreshy decided to pursue a solo career and has remained independent ever since. Those familiar with Zimbabwean hip-hop may remember her appearance on ZTV’s Saturday morning show, Zim Hip Hop Report, hosted by Prometheus.

Phreshy has often said that she chose hip-hop because it allowed her to speak to the youth in a language they could understand.

Juggling Academics and Music

While pursuing her music career, Phreshy also focused on her education. She graduated from Great Zimbabwe University in 2018 with a degree in Geography and Environmental Science. Due to her academic commitments, she had released fewer than ten singles by that time. However, in 2019, she made a conscious decision to take her music career more seriously, marking a turning point in her journey.

Breakthrough and Early Success

In 2019, Phreshy released her first single of the year, “Cold,” which was not included in her debut project, the EP Muzambangwena. The EP featured several tracks, including “Married,” which was a collaboration with Kikky Badass. Her hard work and dedication paid off when she won the Best Female Artist award at the Zim Hip Hop Awards that year. She was also nominated for the same category in 2020 and 2022, proving her staying power in the industry.

Expanding Her Reach and Collaborations

Phreshy continued to make waves in the music scene, following up her debut EP with the release of Dzerudo in 2021. In 2023, she expanded her collaborations, featuring on Young Gemini’s “Rudo” and Splits Loui’s “Ndakusuwa.” These collaborations showed her growth as an artist and her willingness to work with other creatives in the Zimbabwean music industry.

Move to South Africa and the Release of Camouflage the Transcend

In 2022, Phreshy moved to South Africa, where she continued to release new music. One of her notable projects during this period was Camouflage the Transcend, an album that marked a departure from her previous EPs. The album explored various themes, sounds, and emotions, with tracks like “Shungu” standing out. She also released a music video for her collaboration with Rutendo “Sokowe MG” Zenda, directed by Zhing, followed by the visuals for “Ndipe.”

One of the most personal tracks on the album, “Roverei,” dealt with Phreshy’s experiences growing up in a toxic environment and the impact of gender-based violence. Through Camouflage the Transcend, Phreshy showcased her versatility, blending genres such as hip-hop, RnB, Caribbean, drill, Afro-pop, and electro to appeal to a diverse audience.

Recent Releases and Future Projects

In 2024, Phreshy continued to build her legacy with the release of the single “Nemoyo,” featuring KSG Di Don. She also featured on Young Gemini’s La Liga album on the track “Location,” alongside Tamy Moyo, Xiba, Kim Makumbe, and Nomsa. With several unreleased projects in the pipeline, fans can expect more exciting music from Phreshy in the near future.

More Than Just a Musician

Throughout her career, Phreshy has been vocal about her desire to uplift and support other women in the music industry. She has expressed interest in working as a promoter to help women overcome the challenges they face, particularly in underrepresented areas such as production and filmmaking.

Phreshy’s journey continues to inspire, and her impact on the Zimbabwean music industry remains significant as she carves out a legacy not just for herself but for future generations of female artists.

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