EXCLUSIVE TO EMBRACE LIFESTYLE

STAR OF THE MONTH: BONGEZIWE MABANDLA

Hey embracers hope you all well, it’s been long, but I am back this time for good. Anyway, enough about me, I am excited to present to you the star of the month Bongeziwe Mabandla. Bongeziwe is a singer, song writer and guitarist. He studied drama and he moved to Johannesburg to pursue acting however he decided to pursue music. He shared the stage with George Ezra and he has worked with Zahara, Joss Stone and We Will Worship. He has toured in Canada, Australia and Germany. He has released two albums entitled “Umlilo” and “Mangaliso”. He is a talented singer and his story is inspirational.

Who is Bongeziwe Mabandla?

I am a singer and a songwriter born in the Rural Eastern Cape in a small town called Tsolo outside Mthatha I grew up there and I attended the Lady Grey Arts Academy.

Tell us about your music and what inspired you to sing afro-folk?

My music is a mixture of different styles, I grew up listening to Folk artist Tracey Chapman and Vusi Mahlasela, but music is always changing I had to add a lot of modern elements.

You have performed in countries such as Canada and Germany how was the experience?

Music has really inspired a great love for different cultures and way of life. I love to see what people enjoy listening to in different countries. I love how the world just opened to my music, I did not expect it and it really opened my thinking and view of how big the world is.

How was the process of working on your two albums “Umlilo” and “Mangaliso”?

Both albums had different approaches. Umlilo was written when I was very young, its biographical. Mangaliso has a more spiritual theme.

The music industry is a tough industry, how do you overcome the challenges that come with the industry?

You never know what is going to happen and that’s what happened to my career and the problem is that I focused on that time only. I look at things now and think of all the challenges and heartache, these have brought me to the place I am. I am so content with where I am and who I am.

Tell us about your partnership with Converse.

We are working together with Converse on creating beautiful moments which happen when wearing chucks. It’s about showing my music journey, the behind the scenes, the travelling, rehearsing and just the beautiful experience of being a singer makes it so much cooler.

You were nominated for the SAMA awards in 2013, how has this worked in your favour?

The SAMAs opened a lot of doors for me, I did not realise the number of people that were watching my performance. I was nominated for two categories, but I did not win however the performance opened a lot of doors for me.

Your fashion taste is unique where does the inspiration come from?

I have always loved art, so I think that’s my main influence in style. It’s an art form mixing patterns and colours and looking at textures.

2017 is coming to an end, what has been your highlight?

I think its releasing my album, the joy I felt when I released the album and being signed to Universal music is indescribable.  I needed it and I waited for so long to finally being signed to Universal music.

Since you worked with We Will Worship is there any possibility of you releasing a gospel album or single?

My album has a very spiritual message. I think the last three years I have focused on that side of my life. I think my new work will be based on another part of my life and I have started writing a little for my next album and it’s going to be different from the other two albums.

What advice would you give to anyone who is thinking of pursuing music?

Love what you do that’s all.

Bongeziwe Mabandla is available on all social media platforms and his album is available on itunes.

Check out Bongeziwe ‘s music video Ndokulandela below