Be sure to catch Nomsa Mazwai at the Viva La Vuvuzela Festival in New York City, this Saturday, July 9th.
So who are you and what do you do?
My name is Nomsa Mazwai and I am an artist, a masters student, lover of life and a social activist.
How do you describe the music you make?
My music is a mixture of dtum ‘n bass fused with afro jazz and neo soul.
It must be awesome to win a SAMA (South African Music Award) for an EP.
It was absolutely incredible. We worked hard on the project so when we got nominated in three different categories, myself and my team were very very very excited.
What do you hope people will get from your music?
A message to question what goes on around them and motivation to stand with integrity. I also want people to fall in love again, madly deeply in love.
How has being in New York influenced your music?
Being in New York has made me compose more songs with a distinctly African feel. I want to sing in my language more often so that I can teach people about my culture, who I am, what I stand for. We have a lot of humanity back home, something New York lacks and sometimes I just wanna let people know its possible to live in a world where people don’t take advantage of each other.
Who do you consider your musical contemporaries?
Sakhile Moleshe, the male vocalist in GoldFish, a hot South african band, Rihards Fedotovs another Fulbright scholar in Philadelphia who plays the drums, really extraordinary guy. Zakes Bantwini, a house DJ from South Africa who is breaking the boundaries when it comes to performance and many more. I like people who are doing intersting things, like Outkast and Janelle Monae. Like Prince and Jamiroquai. I’m into great musicians who do amazing performances.
So everyone must ask you about your sister, Thandiswa…
Of course, she is a musical genius and a legend. I love my sister, her music, her message, her spirit. She also supports me in everything that I do which is great for me.
You have great personal style, what influences it?
My sisters played a big role in that but I also have a great stylist here in New York caled Stacey Jordan of Divine Styling International. She suggests really dope pieces for me to wear that always make a look really awesome. I am also dressed by Palesa Mokobong, a South African designer who has shown at New York Fashion Week and shows annually at Fashionweek in South Africa. One of South Africa’s best designers.
What makes someone an African?
You feel it and it makes you know and understand your responsibility as an African to ensure that all have access to a decent quality of life. Its where the beat comes from, so if you can feel the beat.
What is your dream for Africa?
I love my continent and my dream is not only for Africans but actually for the rest of the world to find humanity. When the world finds humanity, Africans will suffer no more at the hands of greed and plundering.
What do you love most about the continent we come from?
I love that we live in colour. My continent is full of different bright colours, loud flavours. It is a really beautiful and vibrant place. Every single corner is special and rich with culture and language. We should not allow development to mean, losing that and becoming more Americanized.
What was the last African meal you ate?
Lamb chops with pap and chakalaka at home before I came back. I don’t eat meat here, I’m a vegetarian in New York, but the meat from home is amazing.
What proverb/motto do you live by?
Success is a dream waiting to happen.
