PRECIOUS METTLE
With an impressive debut album to her name, Shekhinah talks to Helen Herimbi about lyrics and being the leading lady at the Samas
SHE’S sipping on a cup of White Dragon tea, but it’s been a long time since Shekhinah had to breathe fire through song or in real life. Right now, she’s basking in the honour of bagging the most nominations at the 24th annual South African Music Awards (Samas).
The singer-songwriter-producer is nominated in the best female artist, best produced album, best pop album, best album, record of the year (for
Suited) and best newcomer categories. Shekhinah’s debut album, Rose Gold, deserves all these mentions.
“Yeaaah,” she draws the word out in that signature whisper-talk of hers. “I’m really excited – not for the title of being the most nominated at the awards – but just for the fact that when you’ve worked hard for something, you feel like yes to this category and that one and that one.
“The one that trumps everything on that list is best album,” she nods quickly then smiles. “Literally. For me, it’s about having the best album across all genres, period. It’s more affirming to me.”
In 2016, Shekhinah was opening the Samas ceremony in Durban, her home town, alongside Sketchy Bongo and Kyle Deutsch, with their breakthrough single, Back to the Beach. This year, she will be showcasing her solo work.
Over 12 tracks that meander from soul singing to pop lyrics and melodies that borrow from rap, Shekhinah presents a new sound (as she sings in The Sound featuring Asali) on
Rose Gold. I notice that the iPhone she casually glances at during our interview has a rose-gold cover.
“I wish I was that organised and co-ordinated,” she laughs in response. The one thing she is meticulous about is taking her time to tell her truth on this album. From Power to She (featuring Rouge) to fan-favourite Different (featuring Mariechan), Rosegold carries an underlying message of independence. Shekhinah knows she’s an acquired taste and isn’t afraid to pursue her most authentic self in spite of how others may feel about it.
“I think that was important to convey throughout the album,” she tells me. “All the incidents that inspired me so much to be independent and make an album by myself and not have a male influence breathing down my neck and telling me what to do – all those incidents got me to that point.”
Shekhinah is still drinking her White Dragon, but on Thirsty, she finds herself “sip-sipping on my silence”. Tired of being mistreated, she spills some tea with lines like: Ooh, I don’t play in the Major League/I know that the brothers know that they are trying to run away from paying me.
It sounds like twin DJ duo Major League is not on Shekhinah’s right side. “I was highlighting my frustration because I couldn’t any other way,” she says, recollecting a 2015 incident.
“I performed at Major League Gardens, and they eventually paid me, but they didn’t pay me the amount we agreed on. I know they put out a screen-munch of the payment, but that’s not the amount we agreed on.”
Still on Thirsty, Shekhinah sing-raps: I ain’t running with those dudes/I don’t got a Wolf Pack/Aint nobody ever had my back. You’ll remember that during the ubiquity of Sketchy Bongo and Aewon Wolf ’s brands, they creatively brought all their music friends along and called the collective Wolf Pack.
“That’s also another tiring situation,” Shekhinah rolls her eyes. “I love everybody and want to chill with everybody. Wolf Pack became such a big thing that any conversation or interview centred around Wolf Pack. They’d done such a good job of associating themselves with my brand.
“There was never a Wolf Pack when we did Back to the Beach or Let You Know, and those are the two hit singles off Sketchy’s album. I felt like I was really dragged into it, to be honest. To the point where I look like the bad person for saying I’m not associated with Wolf Pack.”
To be clear, Shekhinah is “still cool” with Aewon Wolf, as well as Sketchy Bongo (who produced Into The Jungle on Rose Gold) and they are often billed at the same gigs. Someone she’s definitely not cool with is the person who made her sing: And no, you’re not the finest DJ in my land/You think I need you to do what I do.
This is the only line off Thirsty that she doesn’t want to explain.
Fortunately, her fans are too busy concentrating on the tropical house-ey, gold-selling Please Mr, which has been doing the rounds on radio instead. The album’s lead single, Suited, has now reached diamond status. Nigerian banku music star Mr Eazi features on the Suited remix.
“I didn’t think Suited needed a remix,” Shekhinah admits. “That was definitely my label’s (Sony Music) suggestion. I think I even had some snide comment about not needing Mr Eazi,” she giggles.
“Then I remember, one day, singing this song at the top of my lungs in the car. At the end of it, the DJ said that was Mr Eazi. I picked up my phone and called the label to say: ‘Okay, can we get Mr Eazi?’ ”
Shekhinah feels a responsibility to keep showing that the least expected can become success stories. On Any Way I Want, Shekhinah sings about people not wanting to see you swim upstream or be unique and successful despite bucking trends.
I ask her how standing on her own at the receiving end of the blessings from her passion feels. “It feels like I’m in high school and I’ve studied for a test, and I’ve gotten all the answers right,” she almost whispers. “I’ve never felt like that before. I’ve never done something where I felt so fulfilled.”
Rosegold is available at music stores. Catch the Samas live on SABC1 on Saturday at 8pm.