Worldwide deal makes vocalist feel invincible

CARA Frew, a 25-year-old singer from Johannesburg, has signed a worldwide record deal with Sony Music Entertainment Africa. She hopes the deal will expose her music to bigger and more diverse audiences.

“I’m very excited. I have always wanted to be signed to a major label, to find the right gear with the right label that really wanted me to grow as an artist, and saw the bigger picture and really believed in me. Sony was the best option, they are such an incredible team,” said Frew.

“It’s a huge step for my career, just to be represented by such a reputable company. It gives other people confidence in my work. I’m able to reach audiences in the world that I wouldn’t have managed to achieve on my own.”

She is excited to have experts with decades of experience to guide her.

Frew entered South African Idols five years ago as an inexperienced singer, although she had studied music and been singing all her life.

She took the opportunity to meet people and learn as much as she could, and said Idols motivated her to focus more on her music.

Frew previously worked with the likes of Black Cof- fee, Sketchy Bongo and several US-based producers. Her single Invincible was No 1 on the 5FM Top 30 chart for three months earlier this year, and is still enjoying airplay on stations nationwide.

At the beginning of the year she went to Miami to perform at the Ultra festival with Black Coffee, after which she had the chance to find a good songwriter in Los Angeles, with whom she continues to work.

“It was incredible performing at Ultra, where I was on stage with Black Coffee. He is a very good friend of mine. He gave me such great energy and confidence. He has a huge following and it was amazing to represent South Africa while performing in another country,” she said.

She has been in LA for two months now, working on her upcoming debut album which is set for release next year.

“I’m still continuing to write as much material as possible, and once we have a solid base of tracks, we’ll start looking a suitable producer and collaborations. I would love to have Black Coffee on my album.”

Her music features plenty of African beats, says Frew, but with a universal feel.

“I add a lot of influences from pop and South African beats, flavours and vibes. At the end of the day I am South African. I want to remain a South African artist who is representing internationally. I don’t want to lose that.”

sinolwazi.april@inl.co.za

PICTURE: SUPPLIED Cara Frew has signed a worldwide record deal with Sony Music.