NTSELE EMBARKS ON SOLO JOURNEY

AFRO-soul singer Nozipho Ntsele is ready to face the music industry alone after spending years backing, collaborating and composing music for other artists.

Ntsele from Thokoza on the East Rand was featured on Kruna’s hit single soul fused with urban genres and dance elements interwoven.

She says she has also added an element of old-school kwaito because the genre will forever be part of South African sound.

She titled the album because she believes love is a beautiful and positive thing.

The offering is packed with songs about love and relationships inspired by her own life and those around her.

“Whether these love experiences brought me down or built me up, played me or made me feel good, they were integral in building this experience.

is a positive thing on many levels, as it inspires, builds, heals and is the one main message I want to convey to the people.”

She defines the album as feelgood, groovy and sing-along melodic, aimed at making people dance.

“I’ve been told that my husky voice gives uniqueness to the music. I want to make people feel what I’m talking about and dance,” Ntsele says.

On stepping out of the shadows, Ntsele regards working with different artists as an experience that prepared her for her solo journey.

“Working with Maleh has been a real blessing and an honour that broadened my view of the music industry.

“It gave me a better understanding of live performance, a better understanding of my voice, and built my confidence as a vocalist.”

Ntsele started singing early in her life. By the time she was seven, she was already singing Randy Crawford’s hits.

Her career flourished while studying at Bedfordview High School east of Johannesburg, where she sang in choral choirs and was part of hip-hop groups.

She says she participated in a number of talent search competitions, such as SABC1’s

and in 2004. After completing her matric, Ntsele worked at a bank but quit in 2010 to focus on music.