BY PHUMZILE NDLOVU
MBABANE – Topping his way to Europe.
Local Afro-singer artist Bholoja has made the Top 200 World Music Charts in Europe this year.
When reached for comment, the excited artist shared with this publication that he was thrilled to be recognised internationally and for his music to make it as far as Europe. He said it’s truly an honour to have your music appreciated not only back home but also abroad as an artist.”
It’s worth mentioning that the artist made number five on VIDA and took the 65th position for his song titled Imphilo, which has recently been released. The song was produced in Europe.
#5 VIDA • Omara Portuondo • Cuba • One World Records
#65 IMPHILO • Bholoja • Eswatini • One World Records
Born Mbongiseni Ngubane, he is considered one of the most relevant figures in the contemporary African music scene. After the success of his first album, Swazi Soul, released in 2009, Bholoja gained vast appreciation and earned ample recognition in Southern Africa, becoming the first liSwati artist to achieve international exposure solely through the works of his music.
He draws his inspiration from Swati tradition and seeks to preserve the country’s cultural heritage through his songs. His music is a response to the changing global situation and African growth challenges. This passionate artist soon became Eswatini’s rising symbol of its native rhythms, melodies, arts, and culture. Maintaining Swati traditions is his greatest inspiration and his way of living, becoming a mouthpiece for the underprivileged and bringing forward a message of hope to the victims of true social and health pandemics.
Bholoja’s unique and original brand of music, which he calls Swati Soul, quickly gained popularity in Southern Africa, and his distinctive and outstanding voice has become its symbol. It is hard to classify his characteristic music as it meanders and bends between his various sources of inspiration, such as alternative soul, Gospel, Jazz, Blues, and African traditional. What is certain about his music is that it is cloaked in social commentary and speaks to the listener. His enduring popularity is largely a result of his musical strength, depth, and individuality.
It is worth mentioning that most of his songs focus on the social and economic issues that govern people’s daily lives. With an infectious sense of humour and optimism that prevails through all his music, Bholoja’s appeal extends to young and old alike.
In 2009, he recorded his debut album, Swazi Soul, in Paris, France, with the help of the Alliance Francais du Esawatini. In 2015, he completed Swazi Soul II in Pretoria, South Africa. Swazi Soul III is currently near completion.Some of his other musical achievements include the following: Best Upcoming African Musician 2009 Artist at Visa Pour la Creation, hosted by CultureFrance. .The Best Siswati Album (Swazi Soul) 2010 South African Traditional Music Achievement (SATMA) Best Album (Swazi Soul) 2012 Swaziland Tihlabani Awards Artist of the Year 2012 Swaziland Tihlanani Awards. For three consecutive years, he won the Best-Selling Swazi Artist and Most Popular Swazi Artist categories, as well as the Swaziland (Eswatini) Tihlabani Awards. In 2010, he was again among the top 10 nominees on Radio France International (RFI).
His growth as an artist has seen him sharing the stage and studio with great names in the music scene, such as Hugh Masikela, Erika Badu, Jimmy Dludlu, Sipho Hotsticks, Judith Sephuma, Tshepo Tsola, Ray Phiri, Nqubeko Mbatha, Bheka Mthethwa, Nduduzo Matse, Flowe, Switch, Fanaza, KRTC, Lokua Kanza, Tony Cox, Steve Newman, Kalid Kuen, Vincent Bucher, Tao Ravao, Oliver Mtukudzi, Freshly Ground, Kunle Ayo, Simphiwe Dana, and many more.
He has shared his music at numerous venues since his 2004 debut at House on Fire. This includes many festival performances, such as the MTN Bushfire Festival, Standard Bank Joy of Jazz, Azgo Festival, Sakifo Festival, Kuwait Music Festival, and Moshito Festival. He has toured in at least 19 African countries throughout his career, as well as in Austria, France, and Germany.
