“My creativity is my super power, I would like that to be acknowledged before any other conversation about gender”
In celebration of Innovation Month and the effervescent culture of the South African music scene, we feature none other than the queen of Afro-folk and first lady of dance music Msaki as the cover star of our debut September issue sponsored by Nando’s Creativity. We speak to SAMA award winner and benevolent ‘Khusela’ vocalist who has won over the hearts of South Africa.
Asanda Mvana, better known as Msaki, had no choice but to become a music maven, Born into a musically gifted family, her father who was a DJ while studying at the University of Fort Hare and also ran choirs throughout his life. Her grandfather was also a well- known composer and songwriter which shaped her formative years that later propelled her into the field of music.
Msaki’s genre-bending sound that fits perfectly in the composition of any song. Over the past years Msaki has lend her voice to a cohort of genres. Her most popular songs have seen her vocals stacked over over dance beats produced by international DJ’s Mobi Dixon, Black Motion, Prince Kaybee, (with whom she created “Fetch Your Life” made it the biggest song on South African radio in the process with 3.1 billion impressions in 2019) to Sun-el Musician, Kabza da Small,Grammy Award winning producer and DJ Black Coffee.
A master of many trades
Although she is a master of blending sonic frontiers into a fresh new sound, her alternative rock roots deeply inform her signature sound. The debut LP, Zaneliza: How the Water Moves, released in 2016 can be flagged as her monumental break through into the industry. “Zaneliza is about loss, hope and the wave-like rhythms in between those two states of being.” shares Msaki. The personal project Zaneliza received an incredible reception from listeners and critics alike. It was nominated for a SAMA award and her Imfama Ziyabona was on the Metro Charts for 19 weeks.
It should not be taken lightly when Msaki is described as a multi-talented artist. Her creative endeavours expand outside of exclusively music. Dating back to 2008, Msaki enrolled for a course in Visual art and design, of which she soon migrated to England, to continue studying Art at Leeds University in England where she was an exchange student. That was the time when Msaki taught herself how to play the guitar. Twelve years after her first year of tertiary level training, Msaki went onto win a Gold Loerie for the role of director for her music video, ‘Bloods Guns and Revolutions’ from her double album, “Platinumb Heart Open’.
In these spaces where Msaki shines in, she is often the only woman in the room. “My experience as a female in the creative industry is one that I would like to improve exponentially because not only are we fighting for visibility, we’re also essentially flighting for our perspective to be front and centre of the narrative.” Shares Msaki. She continues by shedding light on how woman’s actions are often overlooked in the creative field. “In most creative productions there are woman running [things], making it happen, not only as the sprinkle on top but are the master minds. I would like for it to more of a story that is told, that we’re not just the assistants, we’re not just the decorations”.
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Msaki’s resilient spirit and unapologetic confidence coupled with her conscious intention behind very move she makes, has secured her seat at the table with the greatest minds in the country. Msaki has shared stages with African music legends like Nduduzo Makhathini, Salif Keita, Pops Mohammed, Madala Kunene, Vusi Mahlasela, Angelique Kidjo, Siphokazi Mohapi, Thandiswa Mazwai, and the Blk Jks amongst others. She has performed at Buyelekhaya Pan African Festival; the National Arts Festival Fringe in Grahamstown; the 2015 Metro FM Music Awards; Goethenburg Cultural Festival in Sweden; Mzantsi Cultural Festival; she has performed to a full house at Soweto Theatre and most recently at the Common Wealth Games Birmingham Festival in England.
“My creativity is completely fed by the fact that I am a student of creativity.” – Msaki
Her most recent announcement that comes in celebration of South Africa’s effervescent emerging talent. Msaki will be returning to the stage of Constitution Hill’s annual Basha Uhuru Freedom Festival fired by Nando’s, this time as a headlining act. “I can’t wait to headline at Basha Uhuru, it’s one of the favourite festivals” Msaki made sure to to send our a PSA to her fans to join her at the festival. Gearing up the the main event happening in October, Msaki will be performing at the Basha in Casa showcase at Nando’s Maponya Mall. She will be sharing the stage along with rising talents Basetsana and Kallo from Nando’s music partner, Bridges For Music. When asked about feeds her creativity leading up to doing live performances and pushing her craft with the vigour she so gracefully showcases, Msaki shared that it all comes down to one thing. Learning. “My creativity is completely fed by the fact that I am a student of creativity. I really love thinking about creative rhythms, my philosophies are around maintaining an integrate creative wealth. Staying inspired and connected to the source is important in drowning out all noise and always brings me back to my sense of creativity.”
To keep up with Msaki be sure to follow her HERE
Be sure to catch her headlining performances at the next Basha in Casa showcase happening on Sunday 21 August and Nando’s Maponya Mall and the Basha Uhuru Freedom Festival happening at Constitution Hill in October. Be sure to follow our creative journey @nandoscreativityofficial for more updates.
