If you are like me and love discovering new artists then this singer is one to check out. Thandiswa Mazwai was born in Eastern Cape, South Africa and her upbringing was not your typical musician or singer story. She was born during the Soweto uprising and grew up almost entirely in Soweto, Johannesburg. It was a time of violence during the apartheid. Both of her parents were journalists and anti-apartheid activists and there were plenty of books around the house. She read many of the writing of Steven Biko, Franz Fanon, and others. You may ask how did she get into music? Well, she says it's because of her parents being activists that made her become an artist, it was a different perspective. She first wanted to get noticed when she entered a talent show called Shell Road to Fame, unfortunately, she didn't make the final rounds but did catch the attention of a musician/producer who was in the crowd. He included her on one of his projects but it was when she joined the band, Mongo Faffin that things took off for her. She has become the voice of South Africa's conscious youth. She has performed with the band all over the world and shared the stage with many well-known artists such as Stevie Wonder, The Marley family, Sean Paul, Chaka Khan, and many others.
She went solo in 2004 and has since won many awards and continues to wow crowds around the world. She was featured last year at the AFROPUNK festival. She is also an ambassador for the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa. Check out this amazing singer/musician/activist and support independent music and musicians worldwide. Happy listening!
Lah'l Umlenze
