…album launch coming soon
BY DELISA THWALA
MBABANE – The highly enjoyed and celebrated ‘Imphilo album by award-winning veteran Bholoja was put together by a number of people.
One of the people is South African musician and Gospel artist Nqubeko Mbatha.
This was revealed by the duo’s interaction on one social media platform Instagram.
Bholoja was relaying his many thanks to his followers when he mentioned that Mbatha helped a great deal.
“Thank you so much I could have not done it without you, you kept me strong brother,” said Bholoja. To which Mbatha responded “Congratulations brother, we are inside.”
When speaking about the album, Bholoja said he was really honoured and grateful to have worked with great musicians,
“My production Company (Future Paradise) and marketing/ Management team (One World Records and Koda) worked with me on this lovely project.
I have learned a lot about being patient. It has been years of searching, looking to be distributed digitally in Africa, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Greece, USA, Spain, France, Italy, Portugal, UK, Japan, Benelux, and China,” said Bholoja.
Meanwhile, Nqubeko Mbatha is a South African musician, gospel artist, producer, music director, songwriter and pianist. He came to the limelight after winning a songwriting competition for his song Sifanele which was later sung by Sibongile Khumalo.
He has also written songs for some of South Africa’s music icons including the late Stompie Mavi, Margaret Motsage ‘s DWALA LAM’, Gloria Bosman’s INDLALA, Swazi Dlamini’s MY FIRST LOVE and Ntokozo Mbambo’s FILLED. Nqubeko Mbatha has been married to Ntokozo Mbambo since 2008.
Nqubeko Mbatha began his career in music in 2001 when he joined Joyous Celebrations. He played keys, and served as a music director and producer for Joyous Celebrations from 2001 to 2012. In 2012, he left the ensemble of Joyous Celebrations and went on to pursue a solo career signed to Universal Music.
During his solo music career, Nqubeko founded Koko Records with his co-founder Thoko Mthembu in 2007. The record label has signed several musicians including Nqubeko Mbatha’s wife Ntokozo Mbambo, Thoko Mthembu, and Ayanda Ntanzi, to name a few. He recorded and produced Ntokozo Mbambo’s live DVD/CD in 2007 before they got married.
Nqubeko has written famous songs sung by great musicians such as the late Stompie Mavi, Margaret Motsage ‘s DWALA LAM’, Gloria Bosman’s INDLALA, Swazi Dlamini’s MY FIRST LOVE, and Ntokozo Mbambo’s FILLED.
On another note Bholoja said, he was going to keep his fans posted in regards with the launch and accessibility of Imphilo album.
“In God, I trust and feel blessed. For appropriate partners. I’m glad we found potential and experienced partners, One World Records. God is faithful indeed,” he said.
Bholoja known for his infectious sense of humour and optimism, his voice has become a mouthpiece for the underprivileged. Singing in Siswati and English, his music, Swazi Soul, blends alternative soul, gospel, jazz, blues, and traditional African rhythm.
His powerful lyrics combined with a striking multi-coloured voice have won respect and expanded his music internationally.
Bholoja, born Mbongiseni Ngubane, is to be considered one of the most relevant figures of the contemporary African music scene.
After the success of his first album, Swazi Soul, released in 2009, Bholoja gained a vast appreciation and earned ample recognition in Southern Africa, becoming the first Swati artist to achieve international exposure solely through the works of his music.
