Ntando is back with a bang
Mature sound and style in new album
Afro-pop star Ntando Bangani, who took a two-year break, has returned with more maturity and enthusiasm.
Bangani’s exciting music career started like a house on fire in 2003, collecting awards and achieving platinum sales.
A few years later, his music career took a bit of a nose dive. The good-looking singer has made a return with a new album, titled Mayibuye.
Bangani says when he took a break, many things were not going well for him, and he had realised that there was insufficient marketing and publicity for his albums.
“To be honest, I realised this after leaving TS Records, that I might be good with other things but marketing was failing me.
“The worst part [was that] my music was not played and not reaching the intended audience. It frustrated me a lot.”
He has already noticed an improvement in the airplay his latest offering has been receiving.
Mayibuye treads a familiar path for the singer in terms of style, though the sound is more mature, enhanced by a powerful keyboard.
Lyrically, Bangani continues to preach the gospel of love, while looking at social ills from a broader perspective – like the issue of black poverty.
He says his music is inspired by his and other people’s experiences.
“It does not matter where you go, black people are the ones who suffer most. Black people are peasants in their own continent.
“I think we need to start having conversations about our land and how can we route out poverty in Africa. ”
Working with Gama Mathonsi, the two have taken the sound to another level.
Before returning to the studio Bangani analysed his previous albums and tried to do better with the new offering.
“Robbie Malinga advised me to study Imvelaphi and Kwantu and try to better those albums. The aim was to make sure I produce something different and fresh.”
Bangani launched his career in 2003 with Kwantu, which soon went platinum. His second album, Imvelaphi, which went triple-platinum, won Song of the Year at both the Sama and Metro FM Awards. He also won best newcomer, album and best male artist.
Uhambo Lwam was released in 2008, before he left TS Records.