Ihhashi secures the future of maskandi music
New talent learns about industry
Maskandi legend Ihhashi Elimhlophe’s legacy project to unearth talent in rural areas is running again after being grounded by the pandemic.
The project, called the Ihhashi Movement, was launched in 2016. The 18 artists discovered by Ihhashi Elimhlophe in a roadshow held before the pandemic put the project on hold come from different areas in KwaZuluNatal and Eastern Cape.
This past week, Ihhashi brought all 18 artists to Johannesburg to record their music.
He told Sowetan he was extending a helping hand to the artists because someone had done the same for him before.
“I am happy that finally I recorded them and what is left is to release the two albums. The singles were released digitally last week.
“I can see the guys are very committed and talented. It has not been easy to run this project from my own pocket but I continue doing this thanks to my family for their support and to sponsors.
“As someone who grew up in a rural area I know exactly what it is like to have talent and not know how to access opportunities,” he said.
“I want these young people] to be able to use their talents to change their lives and their families’ livelihoods.
“I also want them in return to mentor young people where they come from. With this project I am making sure that there’s continuity in maskandi music.”
The Ihhashi Movement also teaches the young artists the ins and outs of the music industry from giving performance presentations to registering and claiming their royalties.
“They don’t only learn about being in the studio and performing. They are taught about how you behave as an artist. I have been in the industry for over 40 years and I still take my work seriously and respect people. I tell them that as an artist you should not compare yourself to other artists but rather to focus on your own skills.”
Masixole Mthandeni of Sutterheim, Eastern Cape, said he could not wait to perform his newly released single called Siyabangena on December 9 and 10 in Port St Johns.
Now based in East London, where he is working in the hospitality industry, Masixole said: “I am grateful for what uBab’ Ngcobo has done by giving artists like us an opportunity to launch our careers.
“There are so many talented young people in the villages but they don’t have people who can guide them. That is why some of them end up getting involved in criminal activities,” he added.