Freedom to show facets of himself

SOUTH Africa-born singer Peter Ngqibs, who is based in the US, has released his second single, titled Free Me, from his debut album Let Me Go.

The track was produced by Peter Litvin of Revolution Studios, whom Ngqibs met in Brooklyn in 2010 and subsequently worked with.Ngqibs talks to us about his debut album, his experience as a queer artist, and his collaboration wish list.

How would you describe your sound?

The music I write is pop with influences from several other genres. A meld of pop/R&B and pop/rock with slight twists.

What was the inspiration behind your debut album Let Me Go?

The album had been in the making for almost 10 years before I started recording it. It has a theme of freedom throughout. A part of me was struggling to come out of the closet, and several songs came out of that such as Free Me, Broken, and Over Again. Also, songs about freedom in relationships, like Try, Go Deep, Confusion and the big F**k You song, and songs about finding my own place in the world, which gave rise to the title track of the album.

As an openly queer singer, what has been your biggest struggle in the music industry?

I don’t think my sexuality has given me a hard time. Being a new artist has been the biggest challenge. The typical things such as playlisting, booking shows, and the likes.

Can you tell us what your single Free Me is about?

It’s a song about finding freedom from societal norms that I felt were constricting and destructive to me.

Which artists would you like to collaborate with, and why?

Moonchild Sanelly – for her unabashed and brutal honesty. She also seems like so much fun and I think we’d have a blast in the studio. Todrick Hall – there’s a lot I could learn from this man about the entertainment industry at large. I’m also curious about his creative process because it’s not an easy thing to create visual albums. That requires a concept, and that isn’t easy. Robin Kohl and Lira – from what he has done with her albums, I would love to hear what we would create together. He cares about her art and I’ve enjoyed the work he has done on Yvonne Chaka Chaka’s music. Nakhane – he has a way with words.

Peter Ngqibs will perform at Zer021 Social Club at 46 Canterbury Street, Cape Town, tomorrow.