‘Golden’ music for a generation
NGXANGA: NEW MEANING TO ‘SINGING HIS HEART OUT’
His first solo album will be released next year.
It’s only by having a conversation with him that you can appreciate why Ntsika Ngxanga had to go solo. Because only then can you get a different image of him, away from the popular award-winning The Soil. He remains a member of the famous a capella group and is still fond of it.
Ngxanga, lead vocalist and composer of the group, spoke to The Citizen about his reasons for going solo, the unique way his songs come about and his beloved family. Awundiva, featuring “love maestro” Vusi Nova. It is an open love letter he wrote to his wife, Chumasande Ngxanga, he says.
“My wife is calm in any situation. Sometimes when I tell her I love her she doesn’t give me the excitement I need at the time and I have to explain to her how much I love her,” the singer said, adding that Awundiva means “Can you hear me”. He says the track serves as his way of emphasising just how much he loves his wife.
The artist says he dreams about the songs he composes – for other artists as well, like Idols winner Musa Sukwene and Nova.
“In June 2017, I dreamt I was sitting with my great-great grandfather with some songs. That is when I understood it was time to share my music with the world as a solo artist.”
Ngxanga says his songs are intense, with the ability to take people to the village via their senses and remind them of spending time with their ancestors.
“My sound is Xhosa music that will sound very familiar because I’m simply echoing the songs, being a vessel that ushers the music,” he said, explaining how much he agrees with what popular musician Simphiwe Dana once said about music originating in Africa.
“We are custo- dians of golden, genuine music, and I’m going to bring that music back.” I Dream