20 November 2014

Taking Initiative.

Today we are going to look at how Initiative activates talent. As we all know that talent alone is not enough and we need to look beyond talent in order to progress or succeed in life. Music is no exception as it also needs you to be a self-starter and believe in your self in nowadays.

Most of the successful people didn’t just do it just by mere luck but by hard work and commitment.  “People who take initiative and work hard may succeed or they may fail. But anyone who doesn’t take initiative is almost guaranteed to fail’’-Beyond talent, John C Maxwell.

Regardless of the industry, we have the chance to define the next generation. One needs to understand that music is evolving daily and we need to put lots of things into consideration.

“Talent without initiative never reaches its potential; it’s like a caterpillar that wants to get into its cocoon. It will never transform, forever relegated to crawling on the ground even though it had the potential to fly”. John Maxwell.

When you are a musician there are lots of things that you need to put in to consideration, the first is you being talented and what you plan to do with your talent. You need to understand yourself and what you stand for and also what it means to have the gift that you have. Music business  is one of the things you need to understand and also your behaviour will play a pivotal role in making you successful. Respect your gift and the people you share your gift with but respect mostly yourself.

If you believe that you can do it your talent will be lifted .Talent and people don’t wait for everything to be perfect to move forward. They don’t wait until their fear subsides. They take initiative. As soon as they take that first step and start moving forward, things becomes a little easier.

The challenge which is faced by many people is getting started, you can have good ideas, but if they are just lying in your mind and you not putting them out there to be implemented then you won’t have any results coming out of that. Take those chances and prove that you can be the best at what you do.  Do you have anything to take initiative on? The time is now don’t wait for tomorrow.

  

13  November 2014

Where’s my December hit?

Its that time of the year where we are looking forward to December season and the year that is coming in to replace the current year. It is also amazing how at the start of each year 365 days seems like a lot of days  but by November each year it feels like the days just flew by.

This time of the year we normally know which song is going to be the hit of the season but this year feels a bit different to me in this way, I have not yet identified any song as just yet and the time is ticking like time bomb. The good thing I see is that the artist are going for gold which is a good indication that we going to see a good and fruitful season for our artist in South Africa.

The soil has just released their new album which sold 24000 copies in less than 3 weeks, Big up to the fans who did not waste anytime .The group has carved a niche identity expressed through marrying cultures and genres in their music . Their album features hits like Undibambe Kanye,Susan and Andinanto. As I anticipated my homeboy Heavy k also made the gold disc for  his album Drumboss. The last time I checked he was working with Khaya Mthetha on a track for December and I am exuberantly waiting on that. While on the other hand Miss Lira’s debut Rise again is Available in USA stores. We are really proud of you miss Lira.

I’m not sure if it’s me who is behind, South Africa where’s your music for December ?We used to have a tight competition where record labels would showcase whatever they have cooked for December but that vibe is no longer there. Yes the talent is there but we running out of songs like good song. Please help me out here and lets identify songs that are worth the play list of this December because I can’t find any at this present moment. 

FILM In E.C.

Today I want us to look at the film industry in the Eastern Cape which is taken very lightly by many. Eastern cape has always been the best when it comes to creative arts but the credit goes to other provinces that we go to because of limited resource that we have in our province. 

                                             Jahmil XT Qubeka

I’ve been following one our own, Jahmil XT Qubeka who was born in the Eastern Cape and grew up in the homeland of Ciskei. He studied fine art and photography in Eastern Cape, until he decided that wasn’t for him, but he developed what is clearly a knack for film storytelling through hands-on work in documentary and advertising. You should see one of his film “Of Good Report” which had been at the centre of controversy during last year’s Durban international film festival, it’s about a teacher who becomes obsessed with a 16 year old female pupil. Great work indeed I say big up Eastern cape.To top it all of, this film  was produced by another Eastern Cape born Artist ,Luzuko Dilima.This has again put Eastern Cape on the map, but the question to ask is how long will it take for us to be on the same level as other provinces in terms of recognition and financial support.Lot of artist are leaving the Eastern Cape to get recognition elsewhere. It’s very sad that a Province that has so much talent can’t look after its own talent. Let me tell you what we are doing in the Eastern Cape we make everything about politics. We have all the good ideas and structures are there but the purpose is still not served.If you look at the Film industry of South Africa the cream of this industry hails from the home of legends.

  

Here are some of the people who lift the flag of Eastern Cape up High.

John Kani was born in Port Elizabeth .He is known for his famous play called Sizwe Banzi is Dead which he co-written with other E.C script writers Athol Furgad and Winston Ntshona.He has received many awards, last year he was awarded an honorary Doctorate of philosophy  by the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University.

Zolisa Xaluva  we've seen him on Generations as Jason Dlomo he also hails from the Eastern Cape.

He also featured in drama called Gugu no Andile.

 There are a lot of artist in our streets that are very talented ,some are already giving up they have been trying with no luck.Let me tell you son, giving up is never an answer keep on pushing the doors will open eventually and you will be smiling like anyone else who ever smiled.

Self-doubt.

Have you ever wondered where would you be if you never had self-doubt?

Self-doubt is that little voice inside you telling you that you can’t do it or what will other people say about what you trying to do or achieve. I have discovered that growing up I had many of those events trying to please everyone around and compromising what I really want or even end up doing nothing at all because of fear of failure. Self-doubt is one of the huge sabotage in one’s success, so please stop second guessing yourself and do what you believe you can with or without people having to approve it first. A friend of mine once told me that I’m the only person standing in my own way of success and that really made sense to me because everyone else is doing what they like and here I was trying to do what other people think is good for me.

‘’Our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we often might win by fearing to attempt’’.-William Shakespeare, Measure for measure. There are many people I know that are very talented in different spheres of life, but this poison they are feeding themselves is holding them back. ‘’most haters are stuck in a poisonous mental prison of jealousy and self-doubt that blinds them to their own potentiality.

How does one overcome this?  

First you need to understand that it is normal to have doubts about whatever you have learned from other peoples experience but that should not take precedence into your own ideas and goals.

·         Stop comparing your accomplishments to your friends and colleagues.

That is the time people doubt themselves the most and start feeling inadequate.Remember, everyone is on his or her own journey.

·         Forget about what is everyone else is thinking of you.

Worrying about what other people think of you will hold you back from doing something potentially huge for yourself.

·         Just make a decision, and then correct your course as you go along.                            

Getting caught up in a decision is another sure fire way to water the seeds of self-doubt. Just make a decision. Usually your first choice is going to be your best since it typically comes from a place of intuition rather from the ego.                                   

·         Listen and read positive material on a daily basis.                                                    

  What helped me is listening to positive music and reading positive books.

Those musicians, dancers, scriptwriters, crafters that underrate themselves its high time they came forward because time waits for no man, the worst enemy to creativity is self- doubt.

Take those opportunities and believe in yourself, if you don’t who will?

Life is about taking an initiative, talent alone is not enough. Don’t get discouraged or let me rather say don’t discourage yourself when you know that you have a potential of doing anything. Get up and do what you do best.

Poetry Session.

Let’s all sit down and let me to tell you about me and poetry. I know some of you will be surprised that I listen to poetry, who am i not to? I love poetry and mostly Xhosa and Zulu poetry  ,as I’m typing this blog I’m listening to a chap called Nqontsonqa whose  real name is Siphelo Dyongman ,born and bred in Grahamstown  . This guy’s 2^nd compilation is a must have, it is entitled “ANC-Ayindim Ndenzeni’’ meaning it’s not my fault Compilation. This gentlemen’s poetry is thought provoking and straight to the point it discusses real life issues. The album is written in Xhosa.

What is Poetry?

It is a creative art which was born as an oral form and accompanied by simple music and dance. It express what people regard as meaningful and memorable in their lives. Whenever you write poetry you should take into account the effective use of words, remember that poetry is for you to play with words, choose and arrange them to produce nice music that flows with a meaning .Poetry is many things to many people.

Before I get too serious about  my ideology of poetry lets continue unpacking this talent of Grahamstown whose music has a spontaneous flow of powerful words and feelings. When listening to Nqontsonqa you find yourself reflecting back to your own experiences. He is a real inspiration to the young stars in the Eastern Cape. He has won awards such as the Best solo Poet at Ijongo Productions talent search and a bronze award in speech and drama competition held by UBOM theatre. He also markets his own t-shirt self- titled Nqontsonqa imbongi yakwantu. Praise poetry is fast growing in the Eastern Cape this shows that we really want to see change in our societies .You probably want to know what is it with me and  Xhosa poetry, let me fill you in,after 1994 many of us went to multi-racial schools and that's where our languages and customs disappeared. Hearing people singing traditional songs and relating a poem 

in Isixhosa with all the clicks and accurate rhymes in between it made me want to listen to it all the time and reminded me of our heritage which we need to embrace.Since i grew up listening to more of English poetry i think i am now more interested in Xhosa poetry.The album of Nqontsonqa is avalaible in Vincent and Hemmingways musica.

15 October 2014.

Real Music.

As I was trying to browse through my music library this morning, my fingers accidentally selected a track  which I was not looking for. But let me tell you, the sound that came out of my speakers was a  voice of soul touching sound and  the  song that was playing was “Take me thru lord” by Bongani aka Skhota Tulwana .The guy knows his story period. If you feel like listening to a nice jazz music feel free to visit www.reverbnation.com/bonganiakaskhotatulwana.

Bongani is a versatile instrumentalist who acquired his musical experience by being part of various music groups in Port Elizabeth. The Saxophone star is playing a big role in influencing young and upcoming musicians in the Nelson Mandela bay .

In 2008 he opened a music college in Motherwell where he taught music and drama, he later obtained a degree in music at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. I refer to him as “king Skhota” as he is one of those people that we look up to, with his humbleness .This cat plays the music of old timers and gives it the taste of a young Jazzologist which is growing with the art in Port Elizabeth.I never listened much to jazz music until i came across this guy's music.If you haven't heard or seen any of this guy's rendition you probably missing out on good music,just wait until he interprets the song Ibhayi Lam with his saxophone.Two weeks ago I was listening to their jam session in Motherwell nu2 Tshisa Nyama he was holding a bass guitar for a group called Soul Elements ,I’m talking about a real talent which comes from people who love what they are doing.I had no choice but to connect to their beautiful music.

Bongani is also involved in the film and theatre at Opera house, he writes music for plays which are   produced for the Grahamstown National Arts festival.http://icue.ru.ac.za/index.php/CuePix/National-Arts-Festival-2014/Main/Theatre/Andiyondoda-Not-Man-EnoughWe can never have a normal society without all these activities, music and art teaches morals and values. We need to appreciate the people who are playing their part in our communities. Bongani has worked with different artists and bands from the late Stompie Mavi , Mojazz, Four by four and Blaze jazz band. He has produced many artists in and around Nelson Mandela bay -lord harmony, Culture queen and the list is endless.

Hold it tight Skhota we appreciate your work around the Bay.

                                          Bongani with Four by Four

It is high time we came out of our corners and let South Africa and the rest of the world see what we have in our shores.

8 October 2014.

Eastern Cape Invading Cape Town.

Eastern Cape artists took Cape Town by storm last Saturday at Thumeka Mbeki’s CD launch .  Thumeka  Mbeki  was born in the rural areas of the Eastern Cape –Ku Gatyana. She is known for her song titled Hana which is mostly played on uMhlobo Wenene FM’s  gospel show  Iqonga  Le Vangeli and her traditional dance moves . The event took place in Mew Way Hall in Cape Town. This is her seventh Album which she released under Top Class Productions alongside Bethusile Mcinga, Mxolisi Mbethe , Dumi Mkokstat and Eric Lothe.

On this Saturday all the roads of Cape Town were leading to Mew way hall. I’ve never  seen an audience that is so punctual as the one of Cape Town. The event was supposed to commence at 12pm but around seven o’clock in the morning people were already at the door and they  came to see the Artist that were coming from the Eastern Cape. The line-up of the day was very tight there was about ten artists from the Eastern Cape- Ace Tsako ,Unathi Nzube ,Butho and Yolanda Vuthela, Bethusile  Mcinga, Phumla Mfene ,Veliswa Skeyi, Khanyisa,  Dumi Mkokstat , Mxolisi Mbethe and Lusanda Mcinga. So u can see for yourself that this was a total invasion.  Every artist that took part in this event was up to standard, each and every artist  was representing where they come from.The local artist of cape town also showed that there's talent in the western cape. Ace Tsako from Port Elizabeth opened the phase of the Eastern Cape artists with the song titled Precious Jesus and left the stage while the people were still feasting from his soprano tone.

 Just after  Ace, Unathi Nzube  had the audience dancing to her  song ‘’ Iyasebenza” .

                                   

The show got hotter and hotter as the artists were entering the stage. Butho  and Yolanda VUthela also had the fans on their feet with their duet singing Ewe Nkosi  .Phumla Mfene took the baton from the couple and took us back to memory lane when she sang with Veliswa skeyi  the songs they  used to sing while they were still with the Lord Comforters.

Lusanda Mcinga also made the audience crazy with her guitar but her performance was cut short after  a guy wearing  a ‘’City of cape town T-shirt “  switched off the plugs saying that the Hall needed to be closed because it is pass the time it was booked for , but the show didn’t stop as the people were still waiting for the  other Artist such as Dumi Mkokstat and Bethusile to perform. The organisers spoke with the guy and the drama was sorted and the show continued.

The artists of Top Class  didn’t waste anytime they went on stage and Mxolisi Mbethe sang his famous son “Kwahlalwa Phantsi’’ backed by Dumi and Bethusile the audience was  singing along .When Dumi took the microphone from Mbethe people were already singing his song(Mbize) ,He immediately changed the tune by singing songs that are familiar to everyone before he shot to the long awaited song and that was before he handed over the microphone to Bethusile to close  the show.

It was a beautiful launch indeed and the people got what they wanted which is music and the CD is available in stores.