After a two-year music hiatus, Mthatha-born singer, Thando-kazi Mbete, who left the Eastern Cape Audio Visual Centre (ECAVC) Records, is back with new music as an independent artist.
The University of Fort Hare B.Com accounting student said for the past two years her music had to take a backseat while she focused on her studies.
She was one of the first artists that were signed under the ECAVC Records when it started in 2014. Under the label, she released her debut album, Imvelaphi. She was expected to release two more albums with the record label.
“Asking to be released from my contract at the ECAVC was the hardest thing I’ve had to do. I knew that if I continued with making music while studying I would fail, and I couldn’t risk that,” she said.Mbete said it was hard for her to watch other musicians performing around the province.
“I love performing. and not being able to do what I love was hard for me. I had to remind myself that I want to finish my degree first,” she said.
Now on her last year, she said she felt confident and ready to start making music again.
“I met Mega Luv last year, and he understood my situation because he was also a B.Com student before. We decided to do things at our own pace,” she said.
The two released their single, I said You, this month. The track has been produced by Mega Luv, co-composed by Thando-kazi and engineered by Gary Ndlovu.
“We are already working on a second single already,” she said.
Even though the song is different from her afro-soul sounds, Thandokazi said it felt great to step out of her comfort zone. “It still has that afro-jazz feel fused with house. People are going to love it,” she said.
Thandokazi said she would be releasing two more singles this year and would work on releasing more music in 2019.
The single will be available on digital stores from August 1...