JAZZ artist and producer, Thembelani Batala, has dedicated his life to assist up and coming artists from rural areas and townships to help showcase their talent.
The Ndevana-born music sensation said he believed people who were talented should not be exploited but use their talent to make a good living.
“Twice a month we have shows around the city and through them I make sure my artists are able to take something back home,” he said.
Batala said he usually hosted talent shows in villages to scout for new talent. He helped artists record their music and send it to radio stations. The music is played on both local and national radio stations.
Batala opened his own recording studio in 2008 after he received funding from the Eastern Cape Provincial Arts and Culture Council (ECPACC).
“Initially I went to them as an artist but I was told I should open up something that would benefit more people,” he said. They gave him R8000 instead of the R30000 he had originally applied for.
“I bought a computer and raised more funds for proper equipment and now I have 18 artists from all over the province,” he said.
Batala said he often recorded some of his artists for free. “If I see potential I record that artist. Most of them cannot afford to pay,” he said.
One of Batala’s artists is Mdantsane FM gospel producer and compiler, Lusizo Khango.
The gospel artist said if he had not met Batala he would still be performing at small events.
“I met Thembelani at one of the events I was performing in and right there he said he wanted to record me because he could see I was passionate about music,” said the Duncan Village star.
Khango’s first album, Thixo ova izikhungo (God who hears prayers) was released at the beginning of this year.
“After recording my music Thembelani connected me with some of the biggest gospel artists locally and nationally. For the past four years I have been performing at the Buffalo City carnival,” he said.
Batala said he was currently shooting a music video for Khango. “We will send the video to SABC’s gospel show.”
He said his wish was for all his artists to record and have their albums distributed nationally.
“I am now in talks with the department of arts and culture for funding. I’ve done what they asked me to do. I have a business that assists aspiring artists. This is not about me but it’s about exposing local talent,” he said.
Batala said the department and Buffalo City Metro had supported his artists by giving them an opportunity to perform at large events .
Khunga will be among the artists backing Johannesburg artist, Israel Mosehla when he films his DVD tomorrow.
Batala said he would submit their music for the South African Music Awards (SAMAs) in the jazz and gospel category. —
Batala develops local musicians
The Ndevana-born music sensation said he believed people who were talented should not be exploited but use their talent to make a good living.
“Twice a month we have shows around the city and through them I make sure my artists are able to take something back home,” he said.
Batala said he usually hosted talent shows in villages to scout for new talent. He helped artists record their music and send it to radio stations. The music is played on both local and national radio stations.
Batala opened his own recording studio in 2008 after he received funding from the Eastern Cape Provincial Arts and Culture Council (ECPACC).
“Initially I went to them as an artist but I was told I should open up something that would benefit more people,” he said. They gave him R8000 instead of the R30000 he had originally applied for.
“I bought a computer and raised more funds for proper equipment and now I have 18 artists from all over the province,” he said.
Batala said he often recorded some of his artists for free. “If I see potential I record that artist. Most of them cannot afford to pay,” he said.
One of Batala’s artists is Mdantsane FM gospel producer and compiler, Lusizo Khango.
The gospel artist said if he had not met Batala he would still be performing at small events.
“I met Thembelani at one of the events I was performing in and right there he said he wanted to record me because he could see I was passionate about music,” said the Duncan Village star.
Khango’s first album, Thixo ova izikhungo (God who hears prayers) was released at the beginning of this year.
“After recording my music Thembelani connected me with some of the biggest gospel artists locally and nationally. For the past four years I have been performing at the Buffalo City carnival,” he said.
Batala said he was currently shooting a music video for Khango. “We will send the video to SABC’s gospel show.”
He said his wish was for all his artists to record and have their albums distributed nationally.
“I am now in talks with the department of arts and culture for funding. I’ve done what they asked me to do. I have a business that assists aspiring artists. This is not about me but it’s about exposing local talent,” he said.
Batala said the department and Buffalo City Metro had supported his artists by giving them an opportunity to perform at large events .
Khunga will be among the artists backing Johannesburg artist, Israel Mosehla when he films his DVD tomorrow.
Batala said he would submit their music for the South African Music Awards (SAMAs) in the jazz and gospel category. —
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