Friday, December 20, 2013

VERITABLE BUNGEE JUMP FOR A VOCAL SENSUALITY: NOMFUSI GOTYANA AND ANGLICIZED LYRICS FROM HER ISIXHOSA LANGUAGE!





[FROM A WIKIPEDIA SOURCE] Nomfusi was born in the township of KwaZhakele in the Eastern Cape. Her single mother, Kwazibani (“Who Knows?” in English) raised her while her father languished in jail for 21 years. A domestic worker by day, Kwazibani was a sangoma (African medicine woman) with a gift for music. Nomfusi would accompany her mother to the weekly sangoma rituals ("Intlombe") where Nomfusi would develop her musicality by dancing and singing for hours. Today she is a two time SAMA nominee, Metro FM Award nominee and has multiple local and international tours under her belt.”[1]


Since launching her singing career in 2009, SAMA and Metro FM Award nominee Nomfusi has travelled more then six times around the globe, giving riveting performances at prestigious festivals such as WOMAD in England, FMM Sines in Portugal and shared the stage with icons such as Angelique Kidjo, Bebe Wynans and Hugh Masekela. Her untamed performances have been described by critics locally and overseas as “an absolute riot to watch and hear", "a refreshing blast of energy" and the Swazi Observer named her "the best artist in the overall line-up" at the 2011 Bushfire Festival.


The darling of the media back home, she has been profiled widely on television as well as in the press, with live performances on "LIVE AMP" (SABC1), AFROCAFE, TOP BILLING, MORNING LIVE, THREE TALK WITH NOELEEN with feature articles in DRUM, TRUE LOVE, DESTINY, FAIR LADY and COSMOPOLITAN.[3]


After three manic years touring overseas, Nomfusi captured all of her vocal excitement on a powerful sophomore album in 2012, crafted especially for the South African market, aptly titled "Take Me Home." Produced by the legendary king of Afro-soul, Ringo Madlingozi, and fellow craftsmen Robbie Malinga and DJ Clock, the album spawned the tracks Uthando Lwam ("Qam Qam") as well as a duet with Ringo, "Kunjalo," which quickly made their way on to the charts of many leading radio stations.



Nomfusi will be portraying the character of Miriam Makeba in the long-awaited film adaptation of Nelson Mandela, "Long Walk To Freedom." The film, which is due for release in 2014, will according to its producer Anant Singh be "the largest South African production ever mounted." [4]


Her touching life story has been captured widely in the media. Chris Blackwell, the founder of Island Records, who discovered Bob Marley, Angelique Kidjo and U2 said of Nomfusi after viewing a documentary of her life and music: "What a terrific young artist, her genuine concern for her community and beyond comes through SO strongly. She could go all the way"
Kwazibani[edit]


In 2009 Nomfusi released her debut album "Kwazibani" with her then band "The Lucky Charms". Kwazibani featured two of the singles which gained her audience both locally and internationally, Nontsokolo and Kwazibani. Nontsokolo a song that Nomfusi wrote as an anthem against poverty earned her her first SAMA nomination in the category.[5] The album Kwazibani also earned Nomfusi two Metro FM Award Nominations for Best Female Singer and Best Album.[6]

Take Me Home[edit]

Nomfusi released her sophomore offering "Take Me Home" towards the end of 2012. After the global success of her first album "Take me Home" was designed to be an album that resonates well with audiences in her home country South Africa.[7] The album featured tracks produced by some of South Africa's most innovative producers. Ringo Madlingozi co-wrote and produced the bulk of the album, while M'Jakes, Robbie Malinga and DJ Clock were collectively responsible for six more tracks. “Take me home” contains songs that were crafted to resonate specifically with Mzansi audiences. Once again Nomfusi's efforts were rewarded with the recognition that comes along with a SAMA nomination. This time she was nominated for the Best Adult African category.[8]
Discography[edit]

Albums[edit]
Kwazibani - Nomfusi & The Lucky Charms (Universal Music, 2009)

Take Me Home (Universal Music, 2012)

Singles[edit]
" Nontsokolo" (2009)
"Kwazibni" (2009)
"Kunjalo" (2012)
"Uthando Lwam (Qam Qam)" (2008)
Awards[edit]


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