With a book, an album, a beadwork range and a
number of hit singles all by the age of 30, the next decade should be just as inspiring to watch. Entering explosively into the music scene, Ntsiki Mazwai’s poetic and artistic trajectory has been inspiring to watch.
Having made her mark with the Kentphonik remix of“uRongo,” a fusion of spoken word and dance music, this talented and fresh creative powerhouse has since been, a trailblazing force within the South African social and cultural landscape.
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Mazwai has also hosted various regular poetry and music sessions, including “Streetpop Sessions”, “Monday Blues,” Shiela’s Day” and lately “THE PLATFORM.’
A multi faceted individual, Ntsiki is also working on a collaborative project involving Dj Nipro, called WORD OF HOUSE, this collaboration can be best described as a youthful and vibey expressive amalgamation of house music and spoken word.
Boasting a very popular stage act, WORD OF HOUSE is extensively involved in charity work and has thrown ‘bashes’ to collect blankets and clothing for orphans in Venda and Johannesburg.
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A pioneer in the construction of what she terms ‘’Spoken Music”, Ntsiki has influenced a popular trend of dance music producers collaborating with poets to create club hits.
When reflecting on this new phenomenon she describes it as “taking literature
to the dancefloor.” She has worked with the cream of the crop of the local house music scene, including the likes of Dj’s Kent, Euphonik, Fresh, Guffy, Bantu Soul, Mahoota, Mbuso and Dr Duda.
Having broken many grounds in dance music, Mazwai’s talent as an artist lies in the fact that she does not limit her expression to a specific genre. Her debut album, MaMiya, explored many diverse sounds and genres including jazz, hip
hop and soul.
MaMiya was nominated for a South African Music Award for Best Urban Pop album in 2008. With her latest club banger, WENA, in collaboration with Dj sumthyn Black, being released in Europe, Mazwai also enjoys an International following in the Dance music industry.
Her latest collaboration with Life Time Achievement Award recipient Pops Mohamed and popular rapper Zubz, shows Ntsiki’s complex and dynamic approach to music, furthermore it reveals to the listener, Ntsiki’s growing
maturity as an artist and young black woman living in South Africa. The music video for the song ‘Only Your Love’ was recently released to rave reviews.
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“When I make time, I love doing Azanian Love Song gigs.” Azanian Love Song is a musical performance and interpretation of poetry icon, Don Mattera’s works.’
It’s in collaboration with soul singer Maxhoba, where they turn Mattera’s poetry into songs. Another favourite is THE NTSIKI MAZWAI EXPERIENCE in which she incorporates all her talents into one show.
Her autographical poetry anthology called “WENA,” was releasded in 2010 and is doing very well on the market. It recently went international and is now available worldwide.
In her spare time she mentors young poets and does an annual charity drives to collect books and blankets for orphanages. She is a 1 GOAL ambassador, a cna/readathon ambassador as well as a Youth In Action ambassador.
“I love music, tuning my words into melodies is like breathing to me” says Mazwai. |
