Belting out a jazzy tune is all Zethe loves
JAZZ has long been a genre that connects us to the history of South Africa and it is for that very reason musician Zethembiso Mdletshe (stage name Zethe) continues with this legacy.
Majoring in Jazz from the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), and dropping her second single later this year, Zethe’s music is all about social issues around her.
“I feel like jazz chose me. At first I didn’t understand jazz music but it was not long before I felt at home with the genre. I feel it is the core of most genres. I love how the music really speaks to the soul without sometimes even having any lyrics.
“The music I write is to liberate and inspire. Sometimes I randomly write down words and they end up making it into a song. Other times a song would drop in my head and heart and I quickly grab my phone to record it. Later I take it to my band, a bunch of extremely talented UKZN students, and we work on it,” she said.
Zethe’s musical journey began at the age of 16 with her initially not wanting to sing.
“My dad used to play lots of music from the legendary Oliver Mtukudzi to Brenda Fassie. I later started performing at parties and weddings. When I discovered I could study music everything just fell into place.
“My mother kept pushing me until I realised I am not that bad at this thing. I think I inherited my voice from my mother who used to be an opera singer,” said Zethe.
One of her fondest musical memories is when she hosted her first show.
“I had no idea how it would turn out. It felt so right doing it. I treasure that brave step I took every day.
“I treasure being on the cover of Get It magazine last year. It was such an exciting moment for me,” she said, adding that she also faced some challenges.
“One of the most difficult challenges I faced was not having some of my plans come to pass.
“I really wanted to travel more but hopefully I will do so this year.
“I also feel that with the stance South Africa has taken with local music, I am likely to fulfil my travel dreams this year.
“The game has really changed and people are really taking time to appreciate our music now more than ever. The hip hop scene is a good example of this,” she said.
Zethe has eight songs thus far, with her favourite being, Fo You Know, which talks of self worth, and knowing your roots and being.
“It’s a song that you will fall in love with. I wrote it when I was in a phase of discovering my selfworth. It was a time where getting my name out there in a clean and good image was important to my music and more importantly to me,” she said.
Although following in the footsteps of her role models Thandiswa Mazwai, Jill Scott, Simphiwe Dana and Lalah Hathaway, will always be Zethe’s priority, she said at some point in her career she would love to collaborate with Black Coffee.
“All my role models are true to their craft and very consistent. Their music is crafted with time and pure talent, however if given the opportunity, I would love to work with Black Coffee, I’ve been craving that house and dance beat in my music,” Zethe said.
The Empangeni-born singer is now furthering her studies to become a music teacher so that she can impart her love of music to others.
She has also promised to do a lot more live performances this year, but will still make time for the things she loves – trying out new restaurants – because food is the only thing she loves more than jazz.