NEW SOULFUL SONGBIRDS ON THE BLOCK!!
Working smart means making the most out of the control you have over building an empire for yourself when it comes to the entertainment industry, whether its personal branding, promoting your own business or even being a musician/artist. So since its still the first quarter of Twenty-Plenty (2020) we are wrapping up the month of love by bringing you the newly brewed song birds and song writers in and around KZN, not forgetting the city of gold Gauteng.
We asked these artists questions regarding their musical venture and have profoundly answered beyond our expertise. Enjoy!!
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Precious Khomo |
Who is Precious?
“I’m Precious Khomo, born and raised in a township called Mpumalanga in KZN, but I currently live in Midrand, GP. I’m a wife and a mother. Passionate about impacting lives, especially women of all ages!”
When and how did you discover your talent?
"I started singing at church from a very young age, I had my first solo performance at 6 years (well my Mom I think put me into it because I was a very shy kid, I would not have done that voluntarily), our Sunday school was big on music so we sang a lot! Having been in church all my life, that meant from Sunday school, I had to join the Praise and worship team, where I became one of the lead singers and a songwriter. I was really comfortable singing at church, until 7 years ago where, I suddenly had this strong urge to use my music to reach more people, other than my church folks, and that meant going the professional way.”
Your biggest event you ever performed at?
“That is a tricky one, ‘big’ is relative…When Bishop Benjamin Dube was in Durban in 2017, I was one of the artist that were featured, I guess that is big because that’s been the biggest audience I’ve performed for (+/-3500), also have shared a stage with the industry’s big names (Benjamin Dube, Ntokozo Mbambo, Lebo Sekgobela, Pretty Mhlongo and many more) in Mbombela, I have recently been part of ‘Singene Siphila Gospel campaign’ on the 31st of December, again a great opportunity.My biggest highlight must be getting an opportunity to minister in a church in Accra, Ghana in 2019!”
Do you have music of your own? If yes, how can people get through it?
“Yes I do actually. I recorded my first album in 2014, titled Precious Declarations and I did a single in 2018, titled ‘Akahlulwa Lutho’! All my music is available on all digital stores.”
What makes you unique and makes you stand out?
“I believe I have a message to share with the world and I believe in that message. Because of that, God has given me the ability to minister to people’s hearts. So through my song, I’m able to speak to the heart and bring hope to the hopeless.”
In your own opinion what does it take for someone to become an artist?
“Believe in your art – this will keep you going even when others don’t! The ‘WHY’ of why you are doing what you are doing should always be clear so that you don’t give up in the face of hardship! Persistence and consistency!
So BELIEVE, be PERSISTENT and CONSISTENT whilst the WHY is clear!”
What challenges do you face on a daily basis and how do you deal with them?
“As mentioned, I am a mother and a wife. I also work my 8-5 job. There is also passion on the side…challenge is always having enough time to do everything one needs to do, efficiently, without dropping any role. Prayer goes a long way. Hey, not only does it keep me fit spiritually, it helps a lot with emotional and psychological issues! I also wouldn’t be able to do all the things I do without the support of my family, my husband especially!”
What does success mean to you?
Discovering why/what you were created for, doing and being all that God created you to do and be!”
How does it feels being woman in this century?
“It is indeed amazing, given the amount of opportunities we are given compared to our moms and grandmas! Also technology is really making our lives easier (lol), thus we have time to dream, plan and pursue our dreams! But it is not without challenges, as we daily have to fight and speak against GBV whilst helping each other heal through unspoken ordeals! Also, in most industries, the playing field is not yet levelled! We still need to work twice as hard just to prove our abilities…But again being a woman, that is a challenge we gladly accept as we continue to excel in industries, shaping them for the next generations, whilst pursuing those goals and making them a reality, raising Godly fearing kids and building healthy homes at the same time!”
What are your future plans?
“I’m currently working on my live recording project which will be happening on the 20th of March 2021, at the World of Yamaha at 7pm.
We are also looking forward to the release of this project, and the tours there after.”
How important is it for an artist or anyone in particular to set their goals, so that they know how to accomplish them?
“It is very important, for everyone! Without goals, dreams remain that, dreams! Dreams are usually very big and scary! They are normally out of your ordinary reach and budget! With goals, one is able to take the big dream into pieces and achieve one element at a time! Goals also give you discipline. When you have set a goal, you have something to work towards, thus this dictate how you spend your time, resources and energy! But it is also very important that you get someone that you would be accountable to, because goals can also remain on paper…they won’t work unless you work!”
If you had the opportunity to advise the generation after you, what would you possibly say?
“Everything God meant you to be and achieve is already in you…we are living a life of aligning ourselves with what God has done! Also, there is no space that is vacant, so do expect resistance to a certain extent…if you really believe that you are called for a thing, pursue it with consistency and persistence! Discipline, character and a teachable spirit will always keep you grounded!"
@preciouskhomo
Precious Khomo  |
Nontokozo Mthethwa |
Who is Ntokozo?
"Ntokozo is a Durban based, 28 year old singer & Songwriter from a small town
called Vryheid in KZN.
I was born in Empangeni but we moved to Vryheid just before I started school.
I am a qualified Architectural Technologist, I studied Bachelor of Architectural Studies at UKZN which I completed in 2016.
I am a minimalist, enjoy reading, bike riding on the beach & music is my passion & everything else that pertains to music production."
When and how did you discover your talent?
"Unlike those musicians who knew they could sing at like 3 years old or so, I didn't know I could until my friends told me I could in Primary School (in like Grade 5). Since then music has become an escape with dealing with things & that's when I discovered that I could write songs too. From there on wards it just became way to express my feelings,emotions& therapy in a way."
I’d like to think music chose me,
I have tried to be a career woman but there's just that
thing that always calls me back to music & now I am heeding to the call,
I feel fulfilled whenever I do anything that's related to music,
doesn't matter how small it is."
Your biggest event you ever performed at?
"They’re not necessarily big but I was happy to be a part of the Showtime Events which was giving a platform to Durban artists & some live recordings (Gospel) at the Durban Playhouse."
Do you have music of your own? If yes, how people can get through it?
"Not at the moment but I am working on it. For now I have a YouTube channel where I post covers of songs weekly so that's where people can get to hear me for now."
What makes you unique and makes you stand out?
"What makes me unique are my life experiences, I write through them & they make me who I am. I try as much as I can to keep true to who I am & not try to be like anyone else because that's what the world needs, me as I am."
In your own opinion what does it take for someone to become an artist?
"Talent, hard work & having a story to tell."
What challenges do you face on daily basis and how do you deal with them?
"Self confidence more than anything, because I know once one has mastered that then you can achieve anything. It's an everyday journey for me through self affirmation & doing things that boost my confidence & focus on my strengths."
What does success mean to you?
"Success to me is having fulfilled my purpose. If I have done all that I have been called to do then I would have been successful in this life thing."
How does it feels being woman in this century?
"Being a woman is empowering because we have a voice now. I also believe that we are stronger together & we are in a process of coming together & holding each other up until we all succeed."
What are your future plans?
"For now I am working on releasing a single & hopefully at a later stage an EP so that people can hear my work & growing my YouTube channel lol."
How important it is for an artist or anyone in particular to set their goals, so that they know how to accomplish them?
"Having goals is important because it gives you direction & what to concentrate your energy on. I'm one administrative person so I always write down my goals then break down steps into achieving them, which also helps so that you not overwhelmed by the big end goal. It also helps in the end when doing self introspection, to realize how far you’ve come & how far you still have to go, it brings a sense of accomplishment."
If you had the opportunity to advice generation after you, what would you possibly say?
"Love & Happiness those are the two important things, surrounded yourself with people that love & protect your peace, never do something to impress other people."
ntokozo thethwa
@Mavela_luv 
Ntokozo Mthethwa |
| NKR (Nkanyiso Mkhize) |
Who is NKR?
"NKR is a young man/ Musician his names Nkanyiso Nkosinathi Mkhize , born and raised in Ulundi, KZN. He is 24 years old and based in Ulundi for now."
When and how did you discover your talent?
" I started to discover my talent at my lower ages around 2000 where I was always playing around tavern because they had to play music on jukebox."
Your biggest event you ever performed at?
"The best event that I performed on was the Umgruvo Festival, which is held annually( 31st of December) . It is the best event for now."
Do you have music of your own? If yes, how can people get through it?
"I do have my own music that I released, I released three singles so far plus remixes. People can check it and buy it on digital stores (iTunes, YouTube, Google play and etc.) ."
What makes you unique and makes you stand out?
"Things that make me unique because I'm a hard worker, believe in myself and I do not copy other people. I always stand because I don't have a time to listen negative things, focus always on , creativity and content for that project I have on that time."
In your own opinion what does it take for someone to become an artist?
"To be an artist is not easy at first for me to have focus, believe, hard work. Ignore negative words from haters or failures"
What challenges do you face on a daily basis and how do you deal with them?
"Challenges that I used to face daily use to be financial.
After appearing on media people around the community they always want money they thought am rich LOL.
I deal with these issues by telling them the truth that I don't have money, I am still hustling.
To finance I used to create opportunities to get money."
What does success mean to you?
"Success to me is to be better than before. I want my success to change people's lives by giving away, creating job opportunities in different ways."
How does it feel being man in this century?
"It's easy now because things have changed. If you look at the 90's it was hard to get something then now everything is easy."
What are your future plans?
"To release more music and reach Gold, platinum sells certificates.
My future plans are to open my own companies like Record label (for help upcoming artists), PR & Management company to help those artists need help with those services."
How important is it for an artist or anyone in particular to set their goals, so that they know how to accomplish them?
"All I can say is that it is very important to know where you are going and what you want.
To stick with your plans for your goals"
If you had the opportunity to advise the generation after you, what would you possibly say?
"My advice to them firstly education is very important if you are in this industry so they need to finish school.
Focus is the key in everything you do."
NKR Official
nkr_the_artist
@RealNkr
NKR
NKR Official nkr_the_artist @RealNkr NKR |
Nonkhu |
Who is Nonkhu?
"I was born in Pretoria, the last girl of 3 girls for my mother, I am a singer"
When and how did you discover your talent?
"The first time I ever saw Sarafina at The Market Theatre, I knew I wanted to sing, but I didn’t think I had the talent. Until 2009 I was in a career slump and wanted to find my purpose. I decided then to get a go at it. For a very long time I tried getting myself a record deal but realized that the independent route would be challenging but rewarding. It has been very challenging breaking those doors and getting recognition as an unknown artist but one door at a time."
Your biggest event you ever performed at?
"It wasn’t so much of a huge event but who I performed with. Kunle Ayo invited me to join him as one of his guest artists in His Weekly Jam Sessions. That was a highlight for me."
Do you have music of your own? If yes, how can people get through it?
"Yes I do, I have 2 songs available on all online platform One of a kind & Love."
What makes you unique and makes you stand out?
"Oh my, I think that is a trick question! LOL!!! I have no idea! LOL!!!"
In your own opinion what does it take for someone to become an artist?
"Like any profession, an individual needs to learn as much as they can about their chosen profession. "Invest time in making your skill better."
What challenges do you face on a daily basis and how do you deal with them? ‘
"The biggest challenge now is having my music being playlisted on radio stations."
What does success mean to you?
"Living my life on purpose. Making money doing what I love. And just being happy and content."
How does it feel being a woman in this century?
"Hard!!!"
What are your future plans?
"Releasing my album, The Calling"
How important is it for an artist or anyone in particular to set their goals, so that they know how to accomplish them?
"Very important, but also not being hard on yourself when they don’t happen on the time set. Review your goals, be strategic on how you will tackle them."
If you had the opportunity to advice generation after you, what would you possibly say?
"It is never too late to do anything. The only limits are the once you set for yourself."
Nonkhu
Nonkhu_
@khumalo_nonkhu
NONKHU
NonkhuNonkhu_ @khumalo_nonkhu NONKHU
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