Swazi Observer

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POPZIN ON HIS CAREER, GOALS

By Nokwanda Sibandze | 2019-04-20

Like fine wine, talent gets better with time. Luyanda Mkhonta has proven this to be true, as even though all his life he had been passionate about singing, he had to grow, learn and be groomed to be the artist he is now. With patience, persistence and dedication the recording artist has made a name for himself.

He recently took the visual platforms by storm when he realised a video of his song titled ‘Umnyango’ where he featured Smallz the comedian.

His life journey

Born in a family of singers Luyanda Mkhonta well known as Popzin, has always loved singing and knew that he would one day take it on as a career. At age three, he would sing in front of a crowd without fear.

“Growing up I was a loud and fearless child. Instead of fearing I loved crowds as with crowds I felt as though I was on top of the world. I would enjoy seeing people watch me do what I loved most which was singing. When sent to the shops I would go around, loudly singing my favourite songs, from your Mafikizolos to your Brandy’s and more”, he stated.

Now 24 years old, he did his primary level at Matsapha Government School and proceeded to do his high school at Letshwe High School. During his primary level he joined the school choir and soon after joining was made to lead the choral team. With the support from his family, Mkhonta made a decision not to proceed to tertiary but rather start investing in his career.

“I have no reason as to why I did not do tertiary; I just felt that at the moment what was important to me was my singing career. Fortunately enough for me, my family was also in full support of my decisions. I plan on doing what I feel is important to me first, for the rest of my life as normally you find people being depressed because their lives are pressured by what others consider as normal . I believe that one should do what is important to them without being influenced by the outside world,” he said.

He said that because growing up his nickname given to him by his family was Pop, he decided to keep it and add on it and with that came the name Popzin.

Rough patches in his journey

Although Popzin had not for a day doubted his decisions, his choice of living came with its shares of challenges which made him a stronger person.

He says if given the chance to turn back the hands of time he wouldn’t as all the challenges he has come across made him the person he is today.

“I wouldn’t want to dwell much on my past and problems. Though one can debate that it makes one a better person and there would be no future without the past. I believe reminiscing about your past takes the time you would be using in thinking of the future.

Mkhonta says some of the challenges he came across was relating to people his age as growing up he had always related to people older than him. He says having not attended his tertiary level also got people to question him and that was as a challenge but because the life was his he had to then remind himself time and again he wasn’t living it for anyone other than himself.

He says another challenge was finding his unique creative voice amongst other artists who are in the same path as his. According to Mkhonta he always knew he wanted to have a unique sound and has since achieved it.

Future plans

The future looks promising for Popzin as by the looks of it he has his life fingered out already. He says as his music is taking off he plans not to back down.

He said he will do this by staying committed and true to his sound and work of art in general.

He says he sees himself going as far as representing Eswatini in other continents.

“The kingdom of Eswatini is a great place which has massive talents. I believe that we need our artists to dream beyond the borders not to limit themselves. For me dreaming beyond the borders does not mean having to forget who you really are and imitating others but rather it means having to give others what Eswatini is so they can know Eswatini through your talent,” he said.

In the future Mkhonta would also like to help upcoming Eswatini artists by opening up his own production company which will help teach and groom the talents Eswatini has. He further said that he also sees himself working with other great artists locally, the neighbouring countries and other continents.

With the love he has for children he says he also wants to open up a charity home to give under privileged children a place they would call home.

“Outside music I love children and I love helping people. It was with these reasons that I have made it my obligation to always render help where due. I believe my blessings are in helping other people,” he said.

Outside music

Outside music the artist claims to be a simple guy who enjoys looking good, smelling good and having fun.

He says he loves watching soccer so when he is not singing he is with his friends enjoying a good match. Popzin says he is also close to his family so every chance he gets he spends quality time with his family.

“I honestly do not have much of a life outside music as it is a part of me. When I’m not writing and recording music I’m usually with either my family or my friends having a great time. I love my life and like I said I would not change anything about it,” he said.

Words of wisdom

To people who would one day decide to embark on a journey similar to his, Mkhonta says his advice to them would be to be true to who they are.

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