Jaymusic to release solo album
After two decades in the industry, he's worked with some big gospel names, including Dr Tumi.
The Soshanguve-born artist has also written, sung and produced award-winning albums.
He currently serves as music director for the Tshwane Gospel Choir.
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IOL News
44 minutes ago
- IOL News
Healing, inspiring and staying timeless: Skye Wanda's musical journey unveiled
From Durban's streets to SA's main stages, Skye Wanda's story is pure resilience, range and passion. Image: Supplied South African women have long been the heartbeat of the nation's music scene - pushing boundaries, breaking stereotypes and inspiring generations. Among them, few embody that fearless, genre-crossing spirit quite like Skye Wanda. Known for her powerhouse vocals, heartfelt lyrics and ever-expanding skill set, the Durban-born artist is proving she is not just here to sing - she is here to lead, inspire and stay. 'I'm a multifaceted artist,' she said in a conversation with 'Independent Media Lifestyle'. 'Kind-hearted but feisty. I am passionate about my art, ambitious, a loving mother and sometimes just plain goofy. I am also a responsible human being living by faith. That is me; both as an artist and as a person.' Born Nonhle Mhlongo, Wanda grew up in the vibrant township of Chesterville, KwaZulu-Natal. Music was not just a hobby - it was a family tradition. 'Everyone at home could sing,' she recalled. 'My grandmother, my brothers, my sisters… music was always there. I started singing very young because it was part of who we were.' Her big break almost came in 2015 when she entered 'Idols South Africa' and made it to the Top 16. But personal circumstances forced her to withdraw. Instead of deterring her, that setback became a catalyst. 'My journey's been up and down,' she admitted. 'There have been great moments, and moments where I thought, 'I'm done with music altogether.' But I always find myself back because, for me, it is more than talent - it is my ministry.' In recent years, Wanda has added another title to her growing résumé: DJ. It was not just a random pivot - it was a strategic move to deepen her connection to dance music culture. 'The reason I started DJing was to expand my skills,' she explained. 'Ever since I started going hard on dance music, I have been having the time of my life. I have found a home and I am staying. DJing is an integral part of that culture, so I decided to give it a go. It has changed how I view and experience music completely." "Beat-matching, counting, talking about toplines and drops - it has been great. It is also growing my production side, and I love it.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading From Durban's streets to SA's main stages, Skye Wanda's story is pure resilience, range and passion. Image: Supplied Wanda's catalogue is filled with empowering anthems and uplifting messages. While they resonate deeply with listeners, she admitted much of that inspiration starts as self-encouragement. 'The empowering messages in my songs are mostly for me,' she said. 'But I know I am not the only one who needs them, so I put them into songs and share them. I am very spiritual, and my relationship with God is a big part of who I am. When I write about gratitude to Him, it is not just a song - it is a true praise.' Wanda's career boasts collaborations with some of South Africa's most respected names in house music, but one stands out above the rest: her work on 'Girl in the Mirror' with Zakes Bantwini. 'When we made that song, I wrote the first thing that came to mind after Zakes rejected my initial idea for the beat.' 'I decided not to write to impress, but to write from the heart. He liked it, but did not release it for two years - I had actually forgotten about it! When it finally came out and people were singing along, messaging me, relating to it - that was huge. It helped shape the sound I wanted to put out in the dance space.' Her creative partnership with Bantwini has now led to an upcoming joint album. To Wanda, Bantwini is not just a collaborator - he is family. 'Zakes is like a brother to me,' she said. 'We have done a lot of studio sessions together. When he is in Durban, we are in the studio. After my team and I decided not to release a project we had worked on for so long, I told Zakes, 'Let us empty the vault.' I believe in every song we have done.' The project also features contributions from talents like Joseph Dube, Drega, Marco Pex, Jnr SA and Black Rhythm. While Wanda keeps details under wraps, she promised that fans will not be disappointed. 'If I tell you more, I will be giving away too much,' she teased. Wanda's ambitions extend beyond the stage. She is stepping into the business world and even making waves in the gaming sector as deputy president of the KZN Esports Federation. 'I really want to spread my wings in business and esports,' she said. 'It is all about growth and exploring new ways to impact the community.' As the South African music industry evolves at a rapid pace, Wanda is determined to uphold its heart and soul. 'In an ever-evolving music world, I hope to be one of those who maintain musical integrity,' she said. 'I want to make timeless music for people who still have the attention span and palate for music in its purest form.' From Durban's streets to SA's main stages, Skye Wanda's story is pure resilience, range and passion. Image: Supplied For all her accolades and projects, Wanda's ultimate mission remains simple: to uplift, heal and inspire. 'I hope my music changes people's lives for the better,' she said. 'May it bring healing. And may my life be a lesson that if you set your mind to it, you can achieve it.' From Durban's streets to SA's biggest stages, Wanda's journey is one of resilience, versatility and unshakable passion. And if her track record is anything to go by, the best is yet to come. Below are Lutho Pasiya's top five Skye Wanda tracks: 'Amazwi' - a spiritual anthem of gratitude and protection, layered with Wanda's haunting harmonies. 'Girl In The Mirror' - a heartfelt Zakes Bantwini collaboration turned sing-along favourite that helped define her dance sound. 'Take Me Away' - a pulsating, romantic track about the intoxicating surrender of love, delivered with silky vocals. 'Mama Thula' - a soulful, genre-blending collaboration with Bantwini, Thakzin and Suffocate SA that's now among her most-streamed.
The Citizen
a day ago
- The Citizen
Mama mia, here we go again
You are never too old to travel . We're flying from Dublin to London to see the Abba avatar concert, Voyage, we being me, my mom and my sister, all lifelong fans. I'm taking it slowly, gently herding these wobbly cats who haven't been young and sweet and seventeen for a very long time. It's my second visit to the show and I'll make any excuse to go back, to be smiling, to be having fun, to be feeling like a number one again. Yes, it really is that good. However, in the taxi to the air port the driver tells me about the apparent scourge of immigration in Ireland – I'm guessing I'm not his problem being a white, middle-aged female immigrant, not a dark-skinned young male immigrant – and that Ireland first needs to look after its own. How I hate to see you like this, I hum. 'But say anything and you're called a racist,' he declares. There is no way you can deny it. I could point out to this Irish man that his own Ireland is a nation of emigrants and how the history book on the shelf is always repeating itself: current ly one million Irish-born people live overseas, representing a fifth of the population, and so it has been since the famine, when a quarter of the nation fled to foreign lands in the hopes of a better life, of prospects, of money, money, money because it's a rich man's world. But I don't want to talk about the things we've gone through – I've nothing more to say, no more aces to play. Instead, knowing this conversation all too well because I've had a version of it many times, knowing me, knowing him, I just say uh-huh. Then we land at London City Airport and get into a taxi, and mamma mia, here we go again: the driver tells me about the scourge of immigration into England, except he's Bangladeshi, heavily accented, an immigrant himself. However, he arrived as a young man a number of years ago, and he's married and has children in England. He's different, obviously. Whatever. Sing a new song, chiquitito. 'Hold onto your handbags,' he warns me in parting. Uh-huh, I say. I look up. The sun is still in the sky and shining above you, I think. And I may look like I'm listening to you, but in my head I'm listening to Abba. ALSO READ: WATCH: Anthony Hamilton promises to 'tear his shoes up' for Mzansi Women's Day concert
The South African
2 days ago
- The South African
Drake 'curse': Did US rapper bet on Dricus?
US rapper Drake has been roped into the UFC World Champion title loss of Dricus du Plessis to Khamzat Chimaev. According to many social media users, the artist's 'curse' is to blame for the South African's defeat. On Saturday, 16 August, the Russian-born wrestler dominated the fight against his opponent in the Octagon. According to a Grok post, Drake reportedly bet $2 million (R35 million) on Dricus du Plessis to win by submission against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319. However, the AI chatbot's claim is unverified and is void of credible sources. Drake has made no mention of placing a bet on the UFC fight. It wouldn't be the first time Drake was linked to a UFC fight featuring Dricus du Plessis. According to MailOnline, Drake lost $700 000 (R13 million) after betting on Dricus to lose his fight against Sean Strickland last year. The fight – which took place in Drake's home country of Canada in January 2024 – was attended by the Grammy-award-winning star himself. Just hours earlier, Drake shared a look at this betting slip – which had a $700 000 wager on Strickland winning. He captioned the post: ''And, we're going to fight night,' while tagging UFC president Dana White. Dricus beat Strickland via a split vote, winning the UFC Middleweight World Champion belt. Fast forward to August 2024, Drake bet $450 000 (R7,9 million) on Nigerian MMA fighter Israel 'Izzy' Adesanya, who contended the title. Again, Dricus won the fight, this time via submission. The cheeky South African tweeted: 'From the bottom of my heart once again. THANK YOU Drake'. In 2023, Drake lost a substantial amount of cash after he wagered money on Israel Adesanya to beat Sean Strickland, who was the reigning champion at the time. Drake then lost another big payday after backing Adesanya to beat Brazilian Alex Pereira in October. A few months later, Drake lost another bet when his favourite Leon Edwards lost to Colby Covington at UFC 296 in December. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
