Mthatha-born singer Nwabisa released her debut album Iphupho Lam yesterday after years of struggle trying to get her break in the music industry.
The singer, currently based in Johannesburg, says she got her big break last year after being introduced to Tyson Mqoma of Wisdom Entertainment.
“Last year I decided to go back home to Mthatha to clear my mind. My sister suggested that I take my music demo to the department of arts and culture’s offices in OR Tambo and they were the ones who introduced me to Tyson,” she said.
The meeting with Mqoma saw her signing up with Wisdom Entertainment, which has a distribution deal with Warner Music South Africa.
“I have been singing and writing music all my life. After matric I came to Johannesburg and did media studies at a college. That was not the plan but I couldn’t find any available course,” she said.
She returned to Mthatha after her studies to do an internship at UCR FM.
After her six months was up at the radio station, she studied musical theatre at Tshwane University of Technology.
“Studying musical theatre intensified my love for the art.
“ I learnt a lot through that journey but unfortunately after studying I found myself unemployed,” she said.
On one of the songs on the album, Diamonds Nwabisa says she is reminding South Africans how far they have come – with women at the forefront of the struggle.
She also remembers some of the women who died at the hands of their abusive partners.
“I am a woman and I represent women. In 1956 women came together to protest against passes.
“The challenges have changed in 2018. As women we have to work together to fight rape. We also have to listen to the stories of other women and empower each other.”
She said the theme of her entire album centred around her dreams.
“My dream is to use my music to send a message to people. I also say never stop dreaming and if you believe you can make it, then you have it in yourself and no one can take it away from you,” she said.
“I love motivating people and I thought why not put these words into music and let the whole world hear that message.
“I am grateful to God that I finally get the chance to do that,” she said, adding that she was thankful to her family for their support over the years.
“I remember when I asked my big sisters to convince our father to let me do music and they did. They truly supported me and my dad listened to them.”
Nwabisa’s album is available on all digital music platforms such as iTunes, Google Play and Spotify. The album will be available from May 18. — poliswap@dispatch.co.za
Nwabisa cracks it with release of debut album
The singer, currently based in Johannesburg, says she got her big break last year after being introduced to Tyson Mqoma of Wisdom Entertainment.
“Last year I decided to go back home to Mthatha to clear my mind. My sister suggested that I take my music demo to the department of arts and culture’s offices in OR Tambo and they were the ones who introduced me to Tyson,” she said.
The meeting with Mqoma saw her signing up with Wisdom Entertainment, which has a distribution deal with Warner Music South Africa.
“I have been singing and writing music all my life. After matric I came to Johannesburg and did media studies at a college. That was not the plan but I couldn’t find any available course,” she said.
She returned to Mthatha after her studies to do an internship at UCR FM.
After her six months was up at the radio station, she studied musical theatre at Tshwane University of Technology.
“Studying musical theatre intensified my love for the art.
“ I learnt a lot through that journey but unfortunately after studying I found myself unemployed,” she said.
On one of the songs on the album, Diamonds Nwabisa says she is reminding South Africans how far they have come – with women at the forefront of the struggle.
She also remembers some of the women who died at the hands of their abusive partners.
“I am a woman and I represent women. In 1956 women came together to protest against passes.
“The challenges have changed in 2018. As women we have to work together to fight rape. We also have to listen to the stories of other women and empower each other.”
She said the theme of her entire album centred around her dreams.
“My dream is to use my music to send a message to people. I also say never stop dreaming and if you believe you can make it, then you have it in yourself and no one can take it away from you,” she said.
“I love motivating people and I thought why not put these words into music and let the whole world hear that message.
“I am grateful to God that I finally get the chance to do that,” she said, adding that she was thankful to her family for their support over the years.
“I remember when I asked my big sisters to convince our father to let me do music and they did. They truly supported me and my dad listened to them.”
Nwabisa’s album is available on all digital music platforms such as iTunes, Google Play and Spotify. The album will be available from May 18. — poliswap@dispatch.co.za
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