Afro-SOUL singer Nathi Mankayi, who beat the best in the industry when Nomvula won song of the year at the Metro FM Awards, is set for greater heights.
Mankayi, who was born in Mthatha but grew up in Maclear, said he did not expect his smash hit to win at the recent awards, but was hoping to build on the song’s success.
“The category had artists such as Black Coffee. I really did not expect to win even though my song was played the most on December 31,” he said.
Mankayi got his big break last year after leaving his hometown for Johannesburg to pursue his music career.
In 2012, he won a talent search in Maclear that saw him recording his album with the Jaziel Brothers. His single Nomvula was one of the songs he recorded with the duo.
The singer won two awards out of the four nominations he received at this year’s Metro FM Awards also winning the best African pop album.
In that category he was nominated alongside Zahara, Zonke, Maleh and Kabomo.
Mankayi said he had only hoped to win the best newcomer award when the nominees were announced early this year. But that award went to Motswako female rapper Fifi Cooper.
Mankayi said winning the song of the year and best pop album were the most significant awards to him. “I didn’t expect them at all, I was shocked and for me they are the biggest.”
He said he would focus on promoting more songs from his debut album, Buyelekhaya.
“I am currently promoting track number nine on the album, Intliziyo. There are still more singles we want to release from the album,” he said.
Going forward, Mankayi said he was going to work harder and make memorable music. “When you are a newcomer people don’t expect much from you but when you release your second project they become critical.
“When I work on my second album I must make sure it’s better than the previous one and pull up my socks,” he said.
“When I started music in Maclear I used to tell people that I want to be remembered for the quality of music that I make. I believe I am on that direction right now.
“I am not doing music for money – when I started I had nothing but my passion for music. I hope to share my gift with the rest of the world,” he said.
Afro-soul star set to take his career to next level after Metro FM wins
Mankayi, who was born in Mthatha but grew up in Maclear, said he did not expect his smash hit to win at the recent awards, but was hoping to build on the song’s success.
“The category had artists such as Black Coffee. I really did not expect to win even though my song was played the most on December 31,” he said.
Mankayi got his big break last year after leaving his hometown for Johannesburg to pursue his music career.
In 2012, he won a talent search in Maclear that saw him recording his album with the Jaziel Brothers. His single Nomvula was one of the songs he recorded with the duo.
The singer won two awards out of the four nominations he received at this year’s Metro FM Awards also winning the best African pop album.
In that category he was nominated alongside Zahara, Zonke, Maleh and Kabomo.
Mankayi said he had only hoped to win the best newcomer award when the nominees were announced early this year. But that award went to Motswako female rapper Fifi Cooper.
Mankayi said winning the song of the year and best pop album were the most significant awards to him. “I didn’t expect them at all, I was shocked and for me they are the biggest.”
He said he would focus on promoting more songs from his debut album, Buyelekhaya.
“I am currently promoting track number nine on the album, Intliziyo. There are still more singles we want to release from the album,” he said.
Going forward, Mankayi said he was going to work harder and make memorable music. “When you are a newcomer people don’t expect much from you but when you release your second project they become critical.
“When I work on my second album I must make sure it’s better than the previous one and pull up my socks,” he said.
“When I started music in Maclear I used to tell people that I want to be remembered for the quality of music that I make. I believe I am on that direction right now.
“I am not doing music for money – when I started I had nothing but my passion for music. I hope to share my gift with the rest of the world,” he said.
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