adminEntertainment Correspondent
ZIMBABWE born maskandi artiste-cum political and cultural activist Sebenzani “Mehlokazulu” Mngqolo Ncube has come up with a sizzling album, Iphupho Lami, a follow up to his debut album Umakhelwane Wami. The 31-year-old artiste said although the music genre was synonymous with South African artistes he was happy that a number of Zimbabwean artistes were exploring it as well.
The 13-track album was recorded and produced in South Africa.
“I am happy to be in the country and also get the chance to tell people about my latest album.
“My dream is to unite Africans through music that is why my album is aptly titled Iphupho Lami,” said Mehlokazulu, who is also a political and cultural activist.
The singer who started off as an imbube artiste describes maskandi music as imbube accompanied by instruments.
“From back in the day, people loved listening to imbube from Black Umfolosi, Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Amabhubesi, but they also love masgandi but bayawushota lapha ekhaya.
“I have noticed that Zimbabweans in South Africa love this music genre that is why I was challenged to take it up,” he said.
His debut album Umakhelwane Wami tackled a lot of social pathos, but the main theme preached in most of his tracks was xenophobia.
In the title track Umakhelwane Wami he was questioning why Africans hate each other to the extent of killing one another, when they are neighbours.
It also looked at how Zimbabweans resident in South Africa were surviving.
Although his songs have not been played on the country’s radio stations, they are played on Khozi FM and Umhlobo Wenene in South Africa.
Some of the tracks on the new album include Bayakhuluma, Bafana Bami, Uthando and a gospel track Lelogama.
Mehlokazulu also composed a track, Amahlolanyama, a dedication to Bulawayo football giants, Highlanders.
Mehlokazulu was born in Kezi and says he draws inspiration from the likes of Lovemore Majaivana, Albert Nyathi and Jeys Marabini.
He says his passion for music began when he was still at school and later joined Hawu Lesizwe in 1996 and featured in a production titled Watsha directed by veteran arts guru Clayton Ndlovu.
Mehlokazulu is his stage name which he derived from how he composes his songs as he is a social commentator.
The musician says he has since identified a number of South Africa based groups who are exploring the music genre and he is working with them.
“I am sure I am one of the first Zimbabwean artistes to do mbaqanga music, but there are several other musical groups which are sprouting everyday and I am assisting them,” said Mehlokazulu.
Some of the budding groups he is working with include Abafana BakaMzilikazi, Zinjaziyamluma, Iphikankani, Ubuhle Besoka, and Insukamini.
He says he is working on engaging Jeys Marabini on his third album.
Online Reporter