Mthandazo Gatya’s hit song ‘Senzeni’ brings us a powerful message of unity, perseverance and the true spirit of Ubuntu. This track resonated with so many South Africans, earning him a top spot on the biggest music charts, making him one of the upcoming players in SA music.
He’s had quite a bumpy ride to get where he is. Life hasn’t been easy in terms of his music career but Mthandazo pushed through and never gave up on his dream, and today he is known across Mzansi as the singer with soulful with messages and upbeat dance tracks no one can ignore. His big break came during the lockdown period in 2020, when he landed on the top 10 charts of Metro FM, Ligwagwala FM and Ikwekwezi FM.
Mthandazo’s future plans are to grow his brand and spread his music globally, and turn his record label Gatya Music into a company that discovers young talent and helps those who are less fortunate.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR UPBRINGING AND FAMILY
I was born and raised in a small township called Weilers Farm in the south of Johannesburg. I grew up loving music as a child, and was part of the school choir. In 2010, I won 2nd prize in the show called Jam Alley, and that’s when I realised how much potential I have in music. So ever since then, I’ve been working hard to pursue my music dreams. It was not easy of course, the biggest challenge was not getting any support from family. So I had to figure things out on my own quite early on. At some point, I had to leave home to live with relatives because the career direction I had chosen was not accepted and was perceived as being lazy. So I’ve had my fair share of problems and tribulations before entering the industry. I have one brother that I’m close with and other siblings from my dad’s side. I also have adopted brothers and sisters that have become my family and have been there during the tough times.
WHAT KIND OF ARTIST ARE YOU AND WHICH GENRE DO YOU BELONG TO?
I’m a very spiritual being, so my music composing process is a deeply spiritual one. Everything I sing about is something that comes from my soul. I want to heal people through song. I’m well aware of the calling I have, and music is that tool that helps me touch people’s lives and bring healing to them. My message is to give healing, revive the spirit, give hope to the hopeless and at the same time keep them dancing.
WHAT WAS THE CONCEPT BEHIND THIS ALBUM?
Before the song came to fruition, I listened to the cord and found it deeply saddening. The words that came to me was ‘senzeni’, which means what have we done. It spoke to me about the spirit of hatred, for example, instead of hating each other, we should show up for one another. Yes, we’ve all made mistakes, but now we need to get rid of ‘inzondo’. So that was the basis of the track, it was to show the importance of Ubuntu. In this song, I worked with DJ Manzo, Commando, and a very good guitarist called TK. We worked very well together. Everyone knew the task at hand, and believed in the strong message – that’s why we delivered a chart-topping track that has changed people’s lives.
HOW HARD WAS IT TO BREAK INTO THE MUSIC INDUSTRY?
I won’t lie, it’s been quite hard. I’ve had so many moments where I thought I’d make it because my previous songs would get airtime on the radio, but no one was out looking for my work and willing to collaborate with me. It’s only when I signed with Jozi Entertainment, and we started to change things, like our marketing strategy, that things started happening. This song blew up during lockdown when people were at home relaxing and they could listen carefully and resonate with the lyrics. It was both a blessing and a curse because I couldn’t market the song as much as I wanted to, neither could I perform it anywhere, and no promotions could be made at events. The upside of it all, was that the lockdown made the country and music industry sit down and pay attention to my music.
WHO INFLUENCES YOUR MUSIC AND SOUND?
The legend Jabu Khanyile. I loved him so much as a kid and within my music, there are traces of his tone, singing style and overall influence. I’m also inspired by Black Coffee, Prince Kaybee and Sun El Musician. For me, these artists are not going for what is trending but they’re rather staying true to themselves and what they love.
WHO IS YOUR ALL-TIME FAVOURITE ARTIST?
Black Coffee. I love that he’s versatile and he is a businessman who has reached international heights.
BESIDES MUSIC WHAT ELSE ARE YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT?
I’m an aspiring entrepreneur. I have a juice company called JuiSic that produces 100% juice. This is my way to create more revenue. I'm also passionate about community development, which is why I started my record label called Gatya Music – it allows me to identify artists within my community and give them a chance, who knows – maybe even create a superstar or two?
TELL US ABOUT YOUR FASHION AND CLOTHING LINE
This is something that I started with a friend, Tebogo Mohlala. We both enjoyed thrifting, and we’d go to town, to vintage outlets. This passion grew so much that we felt we needed to design and have our own clothing line. So it started simply by loving fashion and wanting to look cool and it became what it is now.
WHAT DO YOU DO IN YOUR FREE TIME?
I cook for my woman. When I’m home, I love spoiling her. Since I’m on the road most of the time, I love to cook and just chill with her when I am at home.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE IN THE WORLD?
I would love to go to Mozambique one day before seeing the rest of the world.
HAVE YOU MET SOMEONE FAMOUS THAT YOU’RE A FAN OF?
I recently met Prince Kaybee! And now I have a song with him. I told him that this collaboration is something that I have fantasised about for so long and it’s unreal that it’s truly happening. Also, Mobi Dixon is someone I have been a big fan of and now he and I have a song as well. I actually pulled Facebook inboxes of where I pleaded with Prince Kaybee and Mobi Dixon for a chance to work with them and now that came to pass.
WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO IN LIFE?
I always look to God for anything that happens in my life whether it be good or bad. I always say ‘Modimo asiyi bhari’, meaning God is no fool.
WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN THE NEXT TEN YEARS?
I hope to have discovered a superstar in music or any other field. I want the Mthandazo brand to reach global heights as well. It’s important for me to be part of the upliftment of others because I believe part of the reason I’ve reached where am now is because someone took a chance on me. So why can I not do the same for others? ‘Xa uphiwe nawe yipha,’ when you are given, you should also give and share.
PLEASE SHARE SOMETHING YOUR FANS DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU?
All of my songs took less than an hour to create, from the lyrics to the hook. I don’t write music, I just go to the mic and listen to the beat, meditate on it and record.
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ON THE RISE TO FAME: MTHANDAZO GATYA
Reviewed by Michelle Pienaar
on
July 05, 2021
Rating:
Reviewed by Michelle Pienaar
on
July 05, 2021
Rating:
