I never did this for fame

How was your experience in Kenya?

I loved it! I loved the people, the reception, I loved everything. To be honest, I didn’t know what to expect about my performance at Blankets & Wine considering I’ve never been here before and I wasn’t sure if the people here even understood my songs since I sing in my native tongue. I would really love to come back even for a visit if not to perform again.

Your music is deep and emotional. What informs your song-writing process?
I just write about my experiences. In my album, all my songs are about my life—my upbringing, my background, where I come from, my dreams, my visions, my goals.

I could get inspiration from being here and go home and write a song about it. I don’t even write my music to fit a certain genre. People choose to call it afro-pop but I just create melodies and write.

What African artistes inspired your music?

I’m from the village and TV was really scarce when I was growing up. Like many artistes, my interest in music was nurtured through the church and that mostly entailed Christian songs. Eventually when I went to school and discovered the Internet, I fell in love with Asa from Nigeria. I loved her music.

During your performance at Blankets & Wine, you cried when singing your song ‘Umthwalo’. Why that song and not the others?

When I wrote Umthwalo, it was during a time when all my friends had gone to pursue their tertiary education while I remained at home because my parents couldn’t afford the fees.

But there was no one I could share my frustrations with except my guitar hence the line in the song that translates to “don’t be like those that give up in life, there’s something that’s happening”. Singing this song before all those people and seeing the love they had for me reminded me of this phase in my life. It touched me.

Did you eventually get to pursue your tertiary education?
Eventually my parents did raise the money but halfway through my studies they were unable to complete the payments and I ended up dropping out.

But to inspire other young people, I’m going to go back and finish my diploma to show them that education truly is the key to success.

When did your musical breakthrough happen?

Coming from the village, I had never seen anyone making it. Especially not as a musician. Success was for the privileged people in Johannesburg. For me, music was just an outlet and I never imagined I could make a career out of it.

When my parents could no longer pay my fees, I started attending poetry sessions and performing my song Loliwe which I had written long ago. Luckily for me, the owner of my label, TS Records, heard me playing at one of these gigs and here I am. It’s truly God who made the way for me.

Does the reality of all your accomplishments ever overwhelm you?
I remember in September 2011 when they told me my album had sold out in stores after 72 hours I was shocked. Then they told me it hit double platinum and I was sure they were kidding me.

Then it went three times platinum and now it’s on 15 times platinum.

I’ve broken and set musical records in South Africa that never even existed before. But despite all that has happened over the last year and a half, including all the awards I’ve won and tours, I don’t let the hype get to me. It’s all too surreal.

With all your success, how do you remain grounded and maintain your artistic integrity?

Like I said, I never did this for fame. When you look for fame, you may find it but when they write or say bad things, you feel like your fame is at stake.

For me it wasn’t about money, it’s about inspiring people. Like my teacher said, I’m just fortunate that I get paid to do what I love.

When I see people inspired and moved by my music I feel like my work here is done. Just to have one or two people realise that if God did it for me he can do it for them, that’s enough.

How do you handle your haters?

When you achieve you are bound to get haters. It’s a fact of life. In South Africa they call me ‘Mafikizolo’ which means someone who ‘arrived just yesterday and thinks they can take over’.

Some say I never went to music school but they don’t know me. It’s purely because of the talent that God has given me. That’s it.

Your song ‘Lengoma’ is a huge hit in Kenya, what is it about?

In the song, I sing, “people say I’m nothing but because there was a song inside me I knew that one day my dream would come true”. It’s an ode to those who try to rubbish your efforts and tell you you can never achieve.

Do you intend to change the language in your music to accommodate others who may not understand your native Xhosa?

Music is a universal language. At Blankets & Wine people were singing along to my song even though they did not know the words. In fact, I’m sure many of them were singing the songs in their own words but it’s all about how your songs connect with people.

If you are singing for fame and targeting a certain market then you have to sing in a certain language. But if you are looking to inspire people, all you need to do is connect with them. It’s about the message.

What would you describe as the highest point of your musical career?

Singing for Nelson Mandela. It was emotional. I actually sang my second verse instead of my first verse.

For him to call and ask for me to sing for him when I had never met him was beyond humbling. I felt like I had accomplished all that had been set out for me in life.

There’s been a lot of talk about your next album. When is it coming out?

As soon as I get back to South Africa, I’m back in the studio to put some finishing touches on the album. It should be out somewhere around August or September this year.

Your dream collabo.

Kanye West. Haha. Well, that’s obviously never going to happen so I’d say Tracy Chapman. I’ve tried everything; tweeting her, reaching out to her management, everything. But still, I believe.