GIFT OF THE GABI
GABI Motuba is a musician’s musician. It is a few days after the Soweto Theatre launch of her debut album, Tefiti – Goddess of Creation. The composer and singer, in an interview, speaks about why she sent a social media call to all musicians who wanted to be on her launch guest list.
“I don’t understand this thing of musicians going to other musicians’ (events) and paying exorbitant amounts for ticket fees,” she says.
“In terms of this album, a lot of the creative process was directly linked to the musicians you see around. Musicians, fine artists, whatever. I’ve never understood artists paying other artists to watch them when artists are what influence the body of work.”
On Tefiti – Goddess of Creation, Motuba says: “During the three years of working on this album, I came across this animated film called Moana as my daughter was intrigued by Tefiti, this green goddess who was the source of all being,” she says.
“So I wanted to go in depth in terms of my understanding of this kind of influence that makes things grow but has a disruptive-ness to it. I thought that spoke a lot to how this album was created.
“I didn’t want to create something that would assimilate. I wanted to say: ‘I am still a jazz artist but this is what I think it is now. So what do you have to say to that?’
“All the musicians, academics and fine artists in my community are trying to redefine those spaces and interrogate what we think we understand. So how far are we willing to take it?”
A song that stands out on Tefiti is Remember Me, which Motuba wrote about her late friend who was a trombonist.
“Friends like you are rare. Like when you held my hand when I was in despair,” the lyrics read.
Motuba says: “It’s really complex and there are a lot of things written about sisterhood but in terms of this composition, I was trying to speak in all seriousness, about my friendship with Lesego.
“I was trying to speak about the little, small moments that create a friendship and not just the result.
“I think other people can relate to that.
“It would have been in vain if I had written a simple song that spoke about how we were friends holding hands, but this song is about process.”
Whether through composition, how she treats other musicians or even in her life, it’s clear Motuba is about creating – especially if it disrupts the norm – and acknowledging the community.
If she continues on this path with future albums, there will definitely be more. ■ Find @gabisings on Instagram to order Tefiti – Goddess of Creation.