BY FIONA MOTSA
MBABANE– LiSwati Jazz musician iYA will be launching her first album ‘Straight Up’ the Jazz Garden at Hilton Garden Inn.
The launch is slated for March 31, 2023.
IYa, real name Nkhosiyabongwa Dlamini, mentioned that she started performing at the Jazz Gallery in 2017 and that has led to her own launch.
“I started performing at the Jazz Gallery back in 2017, I would do a single Jazz standard as a feature. I used to be happy to help with just about anything just so I learned as much as I could. I honestly enjoyed the background work because all that has led to this very moment. I will be having my first solo performance and album launch,” said Dlamini.
Worth mentioning is that iYA will be part of the performing acts at this year’s 16th Edition of Eswatini’s biggest music Festival, the MTN Bushfire Festival.
iYA was born Nkhosiyabongwa Dlamini. Her musical journey began when she became a member of a Band formed with friends ‘The Afroctaves’ as the lead Vocalist.
In 2015, the band entered the T55 National Talent Search competition and made it to the semi-finals.
Since then she has been nurturing her talent participating in numerous recordings as a session singer, writer and vocal arranger.
iYA draws inspiration from God and a number of Soul/Jazz musicians like Robert Glasper, Esperanza Spalding, H.E.R. and PJ Morton. She has been influenced by the likes of Erika Badu, Alex Isley, Olivia Dean, to name a few.
Her most memorable performances include:
- Youth Jazz Sessions (2018) by Into Music Society
- A Night With Ariana-House on Fire 2022
Straight Up was recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. The Album is centered on Straight Up the title track, a song about going for your dreams or calling.
