By Phetsile Mamba | 2018-11-18
The much anticipated FNB Smooth Fest 2018 music and lifestyle event slated for 24th of November is just six days away.
This one-day lifestyle and music affair will be headlined by the award-winning Lira, legendary Jonas Gwangwa, Mahotella Queens, FreshlyGround, along-side our local talents Sands, Qibho Intalektual, Zamo, Symphony and DJ MBO.
Local DJ Cybos is set to steer the show, MCing with South African comedy Queen Tumi Morake. With SmoothFest less than a week to go, we caught up with some of the international and local acts to hear about their musical journeys and what the people of Eswatini can expect from them on the SmoothFest 2018 stage.
Freshly Ground
Freshlyground is an Afro-pop band formed in Cape Town in 2002. The band members hail from South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. Their musical style blends elements of traditional South African music with pop and jazz.
Q: Freshlyground has been active since early 2000, what has this journey been like?
A: It’s been an incredible journey. Obviously with ups and downs, luckily a lot more ups. We enjoy being together and making music together.
Long may it last.....
Q: How would you coin your genre of music?
A: We think of it as Afro-Pop.
Q: Your band is very diverse with members from Mozambique, Zimbabwe and South Africa; how has that helped you define your sound?
A: It’s helped in the sense that we draw strongly from all our members strengths and being so diverse in our group helps to keep the music interesting.
Q: Freshly Ground released a new album, what has that experience been like?
A: It’s always great to release something new.
The album is called ‘Can’t Stop’and we are very proud of it, we even consider it some of our best work.
Q: You have performed in Eswatini before, what has the local crowd been like for you and what can people expect from you at this year’s SmoothFest?
A: We love performing in Eswatini, it’s a special place for us.
You can expect to hear some songs you’ve never heard before and some old favourites.
I can’t wait – Lira
Lira is a multi-platinum selling and an 11-times South African Music Award-winning Afro-Soul vocalist, who refers to her music as “a fusion of soul, funk, elements of jazz and African.”
Lira has achieved what most could only dream about. From sold out shows to selling multi-platinum albums, she is truly a powerhouse
Many of her fans in Eswatini would love to hear first-hand from her what she is promising for the show and we bring you a one-on-one we had with her. Enjoy!
Question (Q)- Having been in the music industry for so many years, your sound and style has evolved, can you tell us who is Lira is today?
A: I’m an artist looking to infiltrate the global stage and reach out to people across all ages. My sound has become more urban adult contemporary. I’ve never wanted to be boxed in as I love to allow myself to explore different sounds and for my musical journey to evolve organically. The one thing that I will never lose is my messaging. I’m here to spread good vibes.
Q- Can you name a career highlight?
A: Over my 14-year career, I have had so many. The latest being able to work with Grammy-nominated, and Grammy-winning producers and songwriters for my latest album. We created this body of work in Los Angeles and New York and we finalised it in Johannesburg. It’s been a dream come true and I can’t wait to share the music with the world.
Q- What can the people of Eswatini expect from you at this year’s SmoothFest?
A: My return to Eswatini is long overdue. All I’ve ever wanted was to spread good vibes and bring joy through music. I’ve grown so much since I last came so I can’t wait to bring music that the people know and love but also some fresh new songs from the ‘Born Free’ album.
Mahotella Queens:
During their 50 years of performing, the Mahotella Queens have become one of the most sincere and radiant faces in South Africa.
Since 1964, when they started to accompany Mahlathini, the Queens have helped spread the Soweto-born musical style called mbaqanga, and they haven’t stopped since, reaching the four corners of the world.
Q: Mahotella Queens was formed in 1964, tell us about how that happened?
A: The group was formed by Rupert Bopape and he origionally named us Mahlatini and the Mahotella Queens. Once the group was completely formed, we then became Mahotella Queens.
Q: How can you describe your music?
A: The music we make and perform is mbaqanga which is a blend of different types of rhythms.
Q: The Mahotella Queens are icons in the South African music industry and your talent has been recognised worldwide; what has the reception been like performing overseas?
A: The reception we get overseas is amazing. The way they love Mahotella Queens that side, it’s crazy! They love our costumes, the Zulu attire we wear, the type of music we sing and our choreography.
They are always impressed with our overall show. We always get such great reviews of our performances.
Q: What can the people of Eswatini expect from your performance at SmoothFest?
A: Oh, wow! We know we have fans from Eswatini who listened to Mahotella Queens even back in the 60s, and who will be excited to see us perform. They won’t want us to leave the stage. The people of Eswatini should expect an amazing performance from us.
Sands to bring fresh sounds
Sands is once again banging the airwaves with his latest hit Amawoza and what a better time to unleash this fast-growing anthem than at the SmoothFest?
Since the 27-year-old trended on SABC1's Live Amp with his smash hits Vuma and Tigi in South Africa, he has become the most watched and sought-after talent of the moment. The hugely entertaining, energetic and rhythmic Tigi has become a sing-a-long anthem.
He debuted on the MTV Base Top 20 charts peaking at number one, was on the Metro FM Top 40 for more than two weeks, play-listed on BBC1 Extra and sat on the top 10 iTunes search for two
months. And this is only the beginning. Already a force in Eswatini, Sands is poised to change the landscape across Africa.
This is evidently seen on his booking roster; the artist is clearly on his way to becoming a global African star as he frequents every country on his busy schedule. Sands is a breath of fresh air to the industry and swells Emaswati with pride seeing one of their own doing so well and singing in their language.
As the lyrics to his new track Amawoza go... “Tanana...tanana akushe umdanso!” Let’s get those dancing shoes ready!
DJ Cybos...
DJ Cybos has been announced as part of the MC duo for this year’s SmoothFest event alongside South Africa’s Queen of Comedy Tumi Morake. We sat down with him to try and get to know the man behind the brand.
Q: Who is Cybos? For those who may not be familiar with you.
A: DJ Cybos is a DJ, a promoter, MC, voice over artist and father. He has worked in the entertainment space for 10 years now, starting off in SA in 2008, playing mostly in clubs in the North of Joburg to being part of South Africa’s first commercial reality TV show on ETV called ‘Blame it on the Fame’. I became a resident DJ at Cappellos in Fourways, FTV Café in Cresta and the legendary Capital Café in Rosebank. I have also done voice-overs for SABC Channels and Mzansi Magic programmes, to name a few.
Q: Do you have a specific genre of music that you play and stick to?
A: I am a lover of music, so when it comes to me specifically, the word genre doesn’t apply as I enjoy challenging myself when it comes to playing music. Be it hip-hop, kwaito, soul, RnB, new school and old school, I am very comfortable delivering a unique experience tailor-made for my clients, like an order made to request at your favourite restaurant.
Q: Tell us about a career highlight of yours?
A: Having had the opportunity to play at the most precarious clubs in Joburg has been one of my career highlights coupled with playing locally at Bushfire.
Q: What can people expect from you as an MC for SmoothFest?
A: I am a people’s person, so I love and enjoy seeing people having an awesome time at events that I either put together or am a part of.
I like a good laugh too so my co-host Tumi Morake is a perfect match for our MC duo. We won't give away too much, but people can definitely expect the unexpected from me.
Symphony
Local songbird Symphony’s sound can be described as neo soul with an influence of gospel and the message carried by her music is one of empowerment, encouragement and a deep knowledge of one’s self. She released her debut album 'Sengikhona' in 2018. She is the winner of the 2017 MTN Bushfire Firefly Storm.
Q: Tell us about your musical journey.
A: Like any other dream chasing journey, it hasn't been easy but it has been worth it. I've learnt so much about myself, my strengths and what I need to work on as a person. I've met and shared stages with great musicians and have been to places I never thought I'd get to see so soon.
Q: Your song ‘Sengikhona’ won an award for Best English lyric and this allowed you the opportunity to travel to Europe. Tell us about this.
A: Yes, Sengikhona surprised me.
I won an international award and in a short space of time, I found myself in Portugal representing Eswatini. It was surreal! All this happened after I joined a song contest called Afrimusic. To cut a long story short, out of 42 African countries, Eswatini, represented by Symphony, won the first ever Afrimusic Award.
Q: Name an artist that inspires you or that you look up to.
A: Coincidentally, it’s Lira. I love how she has branded herself, how she puts together a show and that she's international.
I love how you can't define her genre, how you can’t put her in a box and that's kind of the same route I've taken.
Q: What can people expect from you at SmoothFest?
A: People must expect a ‘Symphony Experience’ like they've never seen before.
I'm going all out, most of all I just want to enjoy myself and I hope they'll enjoy it too.
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