Bongeziwe Mabandla is more than just a singer…he’s the voice of the new generation
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...
Kenny Lattimore at SOUL REVIVAL at Morula Casino on Women’s Day
The “Tomorrow” singer, Kenny Lattimore is heading to South Africa for the 2nd annual Women’s Day Soul Revival at Morula Casino. Not to be missed, details after the jump. The feted American R&B performer Kenny Lattimore is coming to South Africa to perform at the second Women’s Day SOUL REVIVAL at Morula Casino outside Pretoria, on 9 August 2013. Lattimore’s debut album was released in 1996, earning him two Top 20 hits with Never Too Busy and the Grammy-nominated perennial hit For You. The enormous success of the album earned Lattimore an award for Best New Artist at the NAACP Image Awards in 1997, eventually also achieving gold sales status for him. The romantic soul vocalist music’s has been described as ‘singing to the hearts of women and to the minds of men to encourage love’. He was hailed by The New York Times as a “modern soul man” on stage and the audience can expect to hear all his hits against the backdrop of a dramatic stage show. Lattimore achieved further acclaim from a duet with his ex-wife, Chante Moore, from their 2003 album entitled Things That Lovers Do. Following the success of the track, Kenny released another album of duets with Moore, a double CD of gospel and R&B love songs entitledUncovered/Covered. He since founded his own record company, Sincere Soul Records in 2012, and in conjunction with EMI Records is expected to release his newest album entitled Back 2 Cool in 2013. African Queen, Thandiswa Mazwai will join Lattimore on stage. Her singing career began with pioneering Kwaito Band, Bongo Maffin. Her solo debut album was released in 2004 achieving double platinum sales and a Kora Award for Best African Female. Further accolades followed with four SAMA awards including Best Album. Recently, last year she sang a duet with Paul Simon in Hyde Park, London at his Graceland 25th Anniversary concert. The rest of the line-up includes Berita, the Eastern Cape’s new pop queen, chart topping BET nominee Donald, as well as the dynamic up and coming Moneoa. All in all the Soul Revival at Morula promises a great evening’s entertainment. Book early for a great Women’s Day Soul Revival on Friday 9 August 2013. Gates open at 15h00. Event: 2nd Annual Women’s Day event – SOUL REVIVAL AT MORULA Starring… Kenny Lattimore, Thandiswa Mazwai, Donald, Moneoa, Beritia and a DJ line-up of Segale Mogotsi, Lsmooth, Bob Mabena, Advocate and Karas Venue: Morula Casino and Hotel Date: Friday 9 August 2013 Time: Gates open 15h00, show ends 02h00 Tickets: R220 (Computicket) or R 250 at the door Bookings: www.computicket.com or phone 0861 915...
We will be back!
