Girl power mixes up sound storm
MTHATHA music group 047 treated fans with their debut album launch at the Guild Theatre in East London on Friday evening.
The show kicked off on an energetic note with Bekezela wowing the crowd with his guitar strings and powerful voice. Bongani Radebe followed with his clarinet, playing soulful music to the ecstatic crowd.
A surprise guest artist came in the form of Samthing Soweto, formerly with The Soil and vocalist of Sun-El's Akanamali.
The trio of 047 came on stage with a burst of energy in front of the highly excited mixed crowd of young and old.
Sihle Mdaka, Lihle Baleni and Ngcali Nundu performed hits, such as Forever and Sthandwa Sam (My Beloved), from their debut album, Wen’Ungowam (You are Mine).
To finish off the show, Vusi Nova of Ndikuthandile (I loved You) fame put the icing on the cake, joined by experienced vocalist Ntando.
A fan of the boy band, Zimasa Xokozela, said she liked that one got a CD when buying the ticket.
“I already have CDs of Vusi Nova and Bekezela, so 047 will add to my collection,” Xokozela said.
Speaking to the GO! after the show, the one thing these young men agreed on was the warm reception they received.
“The show was great and I'm so happy. I grew up listening to Ntando and for him to perform at our show was just unexpected,” said Baleni.
Nundu said that once they knew that the venue had been sold out, they knew the show would be amazing.
Mdaka said they were blessed to get such love from East London.
“Overall we thank God for this and all the support we’ve received so far,” he said. MUSIC may seem like a male-dominated industry, but female DJ Zimasa Maselwa, popularly known as Thee Phoenix, has been breaking down gender boundaries by making a name for herself on the local dance scene.
Maselwa, 29, who hails from Amalinda, said she has always been passionate about music and how it brings people together.
“I have always enjoyed music, but what really got me into deejaying was watching other DJs. At a house party in Cape Town, I became intrigued by the turntable skills there and I think that’s when I fell in love with the whole industry,” she said.
When she returned to East London, she joined a Mdantsane DJ crew that had a residency at one of the local taverns.
“That’s where I learnt the art of playing at different venues and for a diverse audience which helped me find my sound,” Maselwa said.
She counts not being treated the same as their male counterparts as one of the challenges that female DJs face in the industry.
“We face the same challenges as many other females in the workplace. Challenges like not being paid or booked the same or as frequently as our male counterparts,” Maselwa said.
“I see myself playing at some of the big festivals in Africa and becoming a reputable brand in the entertainment industry,” she said about her future.
“I would also like to challenge promoters, event organisers, clubs and radio stations to hire at least one female DJ for events.”
Maselwa has played alongside household names such as Euphonik, DJ Tira, PH and DJ Tulz. She is currently a resident DJ at News Cafe, Hemingways.