Mohapi eyes another major hit despite a decade-long break

AFTER a decade-long hiatus, award-winning afro soul singer Siphokazi Mohapi is making a comeback from the music wilderness with a firstever self-produced and self-titled album. Now her fourth studio album, the hitmaker said she had decided to name the latest release because it described her journey in the music industry. The album was released last month. She said however she had stuck with the sound that her fans had come to know and love her for. “People who have followed my music, will find that this offering is very similar and not too removed from the style and genres tackled in the first three albums and, when you listen to Siphokazi, you will find that there’s continuity which connects the songs to each other. This album is really the reflections of me,” the Lusikisiki-born songstress said.

Last year she released a single titled Ithemba, a song she described as a medium for preaching hope.

“Anyone who has not heard the album but has heard the single can take that as a taste of what the album sounds like,” she said.

Mohapi said the only change with the latest album was that she had used less instruments than before.

“Instruments are great but they can outshine us as vocalists and I get so proud every time I listen to it, and I find my voice, my God-given talent being the centre of the album. It was time for my voice to shine,” Mohapi said.

She said people believed that she had quit the industry to focus on her family but told the Saturday Dispatch she had never really stopped performing.

“Yes I was raising my kids but I never stopped performing, I was getting gigs and even performed at international festivals like IMEXSA, which opened doors for me and networking opportunities which were really important for me as a independent artist,” she said.

Mohapi added: “I trust God’s perfect timing and because my life is in His hands I trust His plan and the direction I believe God has chosen for me”.

She said producing her own album had its challenges but her co-producer Victor Kgantlape gave her enough support and understanding.

“He was the core producer but there was respect and he listened to my ideas and our working relationship as a result was smooth and never felt forced,” she said.

Mohapi said they were still considering a promotional tour for the album. — ziphon@dispatch.