‘Courage’ pays off for Lungi
SINGER Lungi Naidoo is off to a positive start this year. She recently signed a recording deal with the international record label, Ditto Plus Music Publishing, which released her Afro-pop infused EP (extended play record) Courage.
Naidoo is the first African artist to sign with the UK-based independent music publisher which has worked with artists Ed Sheeran, Stormzy and Sam Smith, among others.
She was born and raised in KwaDukuza, previously known as Stanger, on the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast, to inter-racial parents. Growing up in a diversified family, she said, had a positive impact on her music.
“I was born during the apartheid-era, so that means all races were separated. My dad is Indian and my mum Zulu. They were not allowed by the system to be together. So there is no way our extended families could be a happy, colourful unit. My dad’s family might not have been able to be 100% involved in our upbringing, but they are now and that is all that matters to me,” she said.
Naidoo, who has been in the industry for 20 years, said the EP gave her an opportunity to reconnect with herself. “Courage has given me the opportunity to not only revive my career but it was a lifeline. I had given up on myself and on music. I titled it Courage because so many people give up and never fulfil their calling or dreams. Duro, one of the songs, is about light and love.”
Naidoo said as an independent artist and songwriter, she was thrilled to work with the Ditto Plus Music Publishing team. “I can’t wait to start writing and collaborating with amazing artists and songwriters around the world. I’m looking forward to this new chapter in my career as a lyricist.”
Tracks from the EP have since received airplay on Gagasi FM and East Coast Radio among other local radio stations. It has also featured on stations in the US, UK, Canada, Nigeria and Ghana.
The co-producers and co-writers on the EP include London-based South African-born producer Pete “Boxsta” Martin, UK producer and songwriter Dantae Johnson and Ghanaian producer GuiltyBeatz.
Tom Weller, the managing director of Ditto Plus Music Publishing, said: “The whole team is very happy and proud to sign Lungi Naidoo. We’ll be working closely together to build on Lungi’s success and ensure that she benefits fully from our world-class service. Lungi is the perfect match for us at Ditto, and we’re all excited to see what we can achieve together through this partnership.”
Naidoo, has written and worked with South African Grammy-nominated dance producer Black Coffee, DJ Sbu, Kabelo from TKzee, Nigerian singer CKay, and winner, Idyl.