‘Music is my wife and my life’

RINGO MADLINGOZI: STILL GOING STRONG AND BRINGING YOU A YEAR OF LOVE IN 2018 With another album set for release next year.

It’s clear that King of Afropop is not just an honorary title for the popular Sondela hitmaker, Ringo Madlingozi. This star, who has remained prominent in the music industry, recently filled an auditorium with audience members singing along to every one of his love songs at the SABC 2 Live Experience Afro Café edition in the Soweto Theatre.

Madlingozi gave a killer performance that left his fans sweating.

Then the legend managed to squeeze in an interview to share a bit about his talented self and how he manages to maintain such a sparkling career.

Staying power

Madlingozi says he is still relevant today because of the love that his fans continue to give him and the respect they have for his music.

“I’m grateful that people still sing along to my songs.

“It shows that with love you can do anything,” he said, indicating that it helps that he doesn’t take himself too seriously.

“I just play on stage. The stage becomes my playground when it comes to performing.

“It is the happiest place I can ever be.

“Hence I just get there and have fun.

“Fun that is right for the audience and that is equally respectful, but sometimes crazy,” he explained.

This is how he keeps himself energised throughout performances that are known for being extremely lively.

Whizz at love songs

The multi-award-winning star, who has released hit after hit, says at times he has no idea where the songs come from.

“I would be lying if I said I sat down... and wrote an entire song. I cannot do that.”

He just finds himself humming a melody, then on another day he hears it in a different form, such as a guitar, and then possibly the next day he puts lyrics to it, creating a song.

Intense bond to music

“Music is my wife, it’s my life. Music is my baby, a part of my life. I could be anything in life, but I chose to be a musician because it heals me. When I’m tired it revives me, when I’m too excited it calms me down,” he said.

He conceived of his immense love for his craft at a very tender age. “I knew I was in love with music when I would sing every time I was sad or happy.

“That made me understand that singing is the most important part of my life.”

Thoughts about the industry

The 53-year-old says that although now there are a lot of talented young artists in the music industry, he wouldn’t necessarily say the industry is moving in the right direction. But he notes that what matters at the moment is that these young artist are enjoying what they do. “One thing I like about these young musicians is that they sing in their own languages, and if they enjoy themselves it’s cool as long as they don’t sing in a derogatory manner, and they talk about love and togetherness.”

Performing on Afro Café

Madlingozi says being given a chance to grace the SABC 2 Afro Café show stage with his presence was an honour because of the respect he has for the culture-orientated platform.

“It’s a massive podium that allows us to learn about other people’s cultures.

“It’s a lovely space that I enjoy being a part of.

“Because when you appear in such programmes, it’s guaranteed that your music will reach different audiences at the same time, young and old.”

More music

“I’m coming up with a new album next year. My fans should watch out for that,” he says, indicating that he has worked with a lot of young people on it, but refusing to give too much away or name-drop.

“People can expect the album just after the love month, February, and know that when it drops, it is bound to make the entire year, a year of love.”