By Lebogang Mgiba
He’s more than just a singer but an artist that uses his own voice to stand for what he believes in. For me, when it comes to music, there should be some emotions involved in order for me to get deep into it, otherwise there’s no point. I don’t mind listening to some ‘Ok” songs once in a while but I really appreciate artists that are story tellers and Bongeziwe is one of them. I was left in awe the first time I heard his debut album, UMLILO and wanted to find out more about him as an artist living in South Africa today.
1. You performed with Joss Stone when she was here in S.A, how did that come about?
I got a call from a guy in Cape Town who was handling Joss Stone’s S.A tour concert and he told me she would like to do some cool things with South African artists. So I sent my music to him and he told me if she likes it, she will then invite me to do something with her. A week later I got a call saying Joss Stones really likes my music. Zahara and I did a performance at Balcony TV and second day we went to Soweto together which was nice and then she also invited me to Carnival City for her concert and we performed Isizathu together.
2. Interesting. How was the experience though?
It was absolutely wonderful; Joss Stone is such a kind, warm and friendly person. I really like people like that.
3. How is your song writing process?
I’m actually busy writing now and that’s why I got these musical instruments. This time I’m working with a band to kind of develop the song. It’s one of the things I didn’t have on the first album, UMLILO. I just did things, but I’m happy that it happened that way. With the first album, I didn’t really understand what I was doing. I wrote the songs in a guitar chilling in a studio and then they would be interpreted from there. Now I’m aware of what’s happening around me and I understand music more than I did when I was 24, making the first record.
4. What is Ndibonisiwe and Isizathu about?
Let’s start with Ndibonisiwe. What I was trying to communicate was that, sometimes you can be in a situation that is not good and the song is about escaping and running away. When you see that things are not working out, it’s better to escape to something better or try something that works for you. It was also written about me trying to be an artist in Eastern Cape. I knew I had to leave it and come to JHB to make my dreams come true. It also touches the theme of following your heart.
Isizathu is about how we are all different but deep down when you look closely, you will realise that we are all looking for the same things. We are all asking ourselves what our purpose in life is, everyone is carrying their own load, it may be different but we all have that. It took me some time to realise what I was going through was not unique, we all go through stuff. I grew up without a father and somebody might be a mother in their case.
5. Did you consciously decide on the music genre that you chose?
Before I had an album, I used to listen to a lot of music. I was inspired by Tracy Chapman, Jabu Khanyile, Simphiwe Dana just to name a few. Those influences came to play in the genre that I’m doing.
6. What inspires your song lyrics?
It’s kind of hard to think of how an audience feels or a listener feels. I want to make music that will make you think about your own life as well. It worked well with the first album because a lot of people could relate to what I wrote and that’s what I want to do as well with the second album. It’s usually things that are important to me and how the next person can relate to them. There’s a new song I’m working on called MANGALISO, it’s not sad like my other songs. Mangaliso means miracle, it’s more optimistic, it’s about love, laughter and joy. You gonna love this song, it’s still me but the happy me. There’s still gonna be some sad songs on the new album too but I’m more optimistic in life compared to when I first started.
7. I think South Africans take time to adapt to non-commercial music which is quite sad, but personally what do you think might be the reason?
I think we as South Africans never think about the different possibilities. I listen to people being played on the radio, and it’s always the same people we’ve been hearing for a long time. It’s depressing; I’ve been trying to get my stuff to Metro FM with no luck. I was nominated for the SAMAs in 2013 and they were playing new comers that were nominated and they got to me and they didn’t have the music and I thought it wasn’t good enough. I did a song with Lulo Cafe and that’s playing on radio because of Lulo Cafe. No one would give my music a chance and we need to kill that mentality that you can only be played on a radio station because you are this kind of a person. A lot of the radio stations are not looking for the new song or hot songs because it’s always the same artists. Is my music not good enough? They will never know because they haven’t given it a chance. It’s very disheartening, it affects how people book you or not. If people don’t know you then you won’t be booked.
8. Who would you like to work with locally and internationally?
I’m trying to do something with Tailor from Just Music. I love her vibe. I’d like to do something with Thandiswa Mazwai, Malume KoolKat and Maleh. Internationally it will have to be Joss Stone, we spoke about doing something. I don’t know how or when but we’ll see. Die Antwoord, I Know they are local but they are not based here anymore. I would like to do something with them.
9. Are you nervous that the new album might not be as successful as the first one?
I don’t have that fear because for me this is a better album. It’s hard to judge an album and say this one is better than the other because life happens differently, influences are different. But I know right now it will be better than UMLILO for me. Don’t get me wrong, I loved the album. This new one is more me, it has more meaning and very personal, introspective, more thought lyrics.
10. What are your favourite hangout spots?
Great Dane in Joburg and Yeoville
The White Room in Cape Town
