BY PHUMZILE NDLOVU
MBABANE– Something is cooking!
Local songstress Amanda Mo has revealed that she is working on her latest project, which will be released soon.
Amanda Mo is a talented artist who started singing back in high school and a songwriter who has been hailed by print and television media for her vocal performance, stage presence, and sound.
She follows, but is not limited to, the Afro-Pop, Soul, and Blending genres, taking her musical influences from the musicians she respects, life, personal experiences, and pure imagination.
Her double singles titled “Ngihlanyiswa Nguwe” and “Kuyavela,” released in 2022, are playlisted on major South African radio stations and local radio and received favourable reviews from digital and print media.
Eswatini Positive News caught up with the local songstress, and this is what she had to say about her latest project that she is cooking.
What are you working on right now?
I don’t like revealing too much prematurely, but I can confirm that I have been working on new music and have completed a full body of work, so I’m very excited about that and can’t wait to put it out. I’ve taken some risks in terms of the sound that I wanted for the project, and I hope that people will connect to it. I’m absolutely excited about this project.
When was your last project, and whom did you work with?
I have released three singles over the past two years, titled “Ngihlanyiswa Nguwe,” “Deserve,” and “Kuyavela.” These were meant to serve as teasers for what was to come. I worked with SubJamz, who has been my long-term collaborator on all of them. The songs were recorded in South Africa, much like the rest of my new music.
Where are we in the country in terms of our music?
The country definitely still has a very long way to go with regards to the music industry. It is hard for artists to make a good living out of music in the country, so that’s a major blow for artists who would love to pursue their passion full-time.
What are the challenges that female artists still come across?
I think the universal issue faced by female musicians is how female artists are compared and pinned against each other, which is very unnecessary as we all occupy different lanes and we can co-exist. Also, women are judged more by how they look as opposed to their music.
Who would you love to collaborate with?
I’d have to really think about it and narrow it down. My taste keeps changing a lot these days, so I get to admire different artists for different reasons depending on what space I’m in.
Who is your favourite artist, locally or internationally?
It’s hard to pick just one artist locally because I admire the different aspects that they bring individually. Internationally, I absolutely admire Beyoncé for how much of a perfectionist she is when it comes to her craft and the production that goes into her live shows. Her work ethic is very inspirational. Musically, I have been mostly inspired by artists and music from the 80s and early 90s.
What advice would you give an aspiring artist?
My advice for aspiring singers is that they need to have a firm education and a professional qualification. Education is very important, especially because this is not a secure industry to be in. Also, I’d urge them to believe in themselves and protect their God-given gift. There are vultures that will always try to exploit young artists. Just believe in yourself, do your best, keep working on your craft, and protect your gift.
