Mhlambi releases debut maskandi album

27 Jan, 2019 - 00:01 0 Views
Mhlambi releases debut maskandi album Hloniphani Ndlovu

The Sunday News

Ngqwele Dube, Sports Correspondent
WHILE most music fans find joy in just listening to their favourite genres and getting the aesthetic joy the art form bring, one man was pushed by his love for maskandi to get into singing.

Esibomvu (Umzingwane)-born Hloniphani Ndlovu was not satisfied with simply appreciating and consuming the works of his inspiration maskandi musicians but was moved to get into singing at the age of 36.

Ndlovu, who goes by the stage name Mhlambi we Zinja, released his debut album last month is hoping to break into the maskandi scene this year. The 10 -track album titled Ontaba kayi khonjwa was recorded at Elephant Studios in Nkulumane and introduces an unheralded Ndlovu as an artiste with a lot of potential.

Ndlovu revealed he was inspired by South African-based Zimbabwean maskandi award winning singer, Zinjaziyamluma and South African top artiste, Mtshengiseni Gcwensa. Like most maskandi music, the songs on the album speak to a wide array of societal issues ranging from love, marriage, repentance, heroes, death and injustice.

The musical compositions reflect a gifted composer who ably blends the acoustic guitar base that is a trademark of maskandi and combines them with the keyboard, drums and other instruments. Ndlovu said he hopes to make a break into the maskandi genre despite the fact it is more popular in South Africa than in Zimbabwe.

“I love maskandi music and I was moved to make my own album. I sing about a variety of issues that I see happening around me. Despite not being the title track, I think Inkunzi ranks as the best song. It is a celebratory song in which I extol the importance of coming together and uniting. The title track is a reflection of the difficulties we face in economy but then at the same time highlight how some are prospering at our expense,” he said.

On Ngicel’uxolo, a born-again sinner is asking for forgiveness after changing his ways while Uyahlonitshwa umendo encourages people to respect the sanctity of marriage and ensure it prospers while in Kufa Ngiyazonda’, Mhlambi laments death as he recalls the pain of losing loved ones.

Born in 1982 in Esigodini, Ndlovu said he intends growing his musical career and hopes his first album will see him performing live at various stages.

“I have not had a career that I can say I have really been doing to make ends meet but I have been mostly a trader, in anything I can lay my hands on. Music is my passion and simply listening to my favourite artistes was not enough for me, I was moved to perform and I intend growing my career and breaking into the South African scene,” he said, adding that some of his songs are already receiving airplay on local radio stations.

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