The Sunday News
Rumbidzai Mbewe,Sunday Life Correspondent
JEYS Marabini mentee Dududzile Ndlovu has changed her maskandi boots and moved on to Afro-pop music that she says is more appealing to her audience compared to maskandi music.
The songstress has also changed her stage name from Inono Lakwethu to La-Dee.
In an interview, the South Africa-based Lady Dee said working with Jeys Marabini was a blessing for her as it opened avenues for her to venture into different music genres. She said the knowledge that was imparted to her during her mentorship had helped her migrate to Afro-pop swiftly.
“When you have mentors that are so good, you do not have a problem jumping from one point to another because you have the confidence that you will deliver as to how you were groomed. I owe my success to Jeys because he has given me the courage to find myself in the music circles,” she said.
La-Dee said she was moving to Afro-pop music because her maskandi music was not being appreciated by her audience in the manner that she expected. She said since her change to Afro-pop, many gigs have been coming her way and more people were appreciating her talent.
“Sometimes when we choose to be different we forget to look at other aspects that are very important to our careers.
Maskandi gospel is not that popular hence I was not getting recognition and following from my target audience. Since the time I moved to afro-pop, I have been to gigs more than the ones I have attended to whilst playing maskandi gospel,” she said.
The beautiful La-Dee recently released a single titled Ngiyaz’fela Ngaye, a Ndebele love song. Her new single is slowly becoming a household tune played on local radio stations.
“I am happy with the way people in Zimbabwe are receiving my new song. The response is overwhelming and has made me realise that Afro Pop was my calling,” she said.
LA-Dee said she hopes to perform in Zimbabwe very soon and wants to do collaborations with artistes in the city.
“I was billed to perform at the Uhuru concert this year but it was later cancelled. My management is working on having shows in the city before the end of this year so that I market myself to the people of Bulawayo and have the chance to interact with other artistes for future collaborations,” she said.
