Inspired by poetry of music
RISING Star is a new series looking at upcoming Eastern Cape artists who are making a name for themselves, from performing arts to comedy. These artists use social media as a means of sharing their craft. If you know any rising star who has a big followin
FROM writing poetry to making appearances on national television, Mqanduliborn Afro-soul singer Amanda “Nampiri” Bavu is a rising star to look out for in the new year.
Tell us a bit about yourself?
I come from a small village called Cezu, in Mqanduli, Eastern Cape. At eight years old I moved to Southridge Park in Mthatha, where I spent most of my life. As a teenager I began attending hiphop/soul sessions which introduced me to my love for music and performing. My calling as an artist was so strong and evident that after numerous performances and three albums, my mother decided to support me and help get me to Johannesburg where I currently reside, on my quest to be one of the greatest musicians in South Africa and beyond.
How did you get into music? Was it something you dreamed of as a child?
I used to write poems behind closed doors, but when I attended my first open mic session and saw other young people what I’ve always wanted to do so effortlessly, I knew I had to be part of that movement. In 2011 I gave my first performance and the feedback plus the energy I received was and still is my source of contentment that I can never back off from.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
I believe in prayer, therefore I pray for inspiration and that is how I just find inspiration in anything or situation whether good or bad, when it hits me I respond, in reality and even in my dreams.
You are currently based in Johannesburg, how did you end up there and how hard is it for an independent artist to get gigs?
I had just finished recording my best work yet which is my latest album, when my mother booked me a ticket to Johannesburg and I had to leave in two days. I had no direction or contact. All I knew was that I had to make it with music in my possession. Progress is not easy but so far I am learning the marketing strategies that will later get me good gigs. I did a guest appearance and performance on YoTV SABC1 on November
28.
What’s the one thing you must have with you or do before you perform?
I cannot perform without wooden beads on my head, prayer is important too but my beads are the one thing that is very dear to me, they are like my tiara.
What are some of your future plans for your music?
I plan to break boundaries of genre and be the first to come up with whole new direction of music that will be as influential and solid as a genre should be, accompanied by its own fashion sense and lifestyle.
What drives your lyrics?
My lyrics are usually driven by the tempo and the mood of the beat production. In situations where I write lyrics before I hear a fitting beat production, I’m driven by the melody that I have that could be influenced by any inspiration.
What kind of music are you listening to?
I’m an eclectic musician, very versatile and therefore I don’t listen to any specific genre, I’d get bored, unless I’m doing research. However, hip-hop seems to be dominating my most recent playlist.
Which was the first cassette/CD you ever bought?
It was a CD of greatest hits by a Swedish pop group called ABBA.
What’s your take on the change to playing 90% local music in SA?
It is very important especially now that so many producers are coming up and great performers too. We as artists only need to get to a level where the mixing and mastering of the majority of our music is of international standards, which we are gradually achieving as we gradually adapt to the 90% local content.
Do you think all artists will get a fair share in terms of airplay on national stations?
No, because even in music there are politics that favour some artists fairly and sometimes unfairly, depending on marketing strategy, branding or whether you are signed or not etc. There are a couple of factors that affect airplay, otherwise all artists would be popular and wealthy the same way.
How do you relax?
I sing a lot and I love to meditate by just being alone in my creative space, it’s so refreshing.
What’s your favourite food?
Meat and umvubo.
Anything else you would like to tell us?
I am releasing my latest album next year. People must look out for my single titled Ivili doing rotation on national radio stations. The date of release of the album is yet to be announced. Look out for a video I’m going to drop soon, plus a house music feature by DJ Josi Chave dropping this December. All release announcements will be seen first on my pages. People can follow me on social media, it’s on Twitter, on Instagram and on Facebook.