Zama Khumalo
Beautiful melodies from a songstress whose lyrics resonate with your soul, make you want to dance to your heart’s content and spread nothing but love. El Music World Neo Soul artist Simphiwe Nhlangulela better known as “Simmy” has captured the hearts of many.
Hailing all the way from Tugela Ferry, based in Msinga Kwa-Zulu Natal, it was her family who taught her the sound of music and that is where the love affair all began.
“I was raised in a home which celebrates good music, my dad always played a lot of Country and Maskandi music while my brother introduced me to the RnB and House genre, which contributed a lot in the type of music and song writing I do.” she says.
When one listens to her music, it is evident to see that there is plenty of in-depth soul that has been put in. The inspiration from her music stems from the likes of Brenda Fassie, Dr Letta Mbulu, Sjava, Dr Caiphus Semenya and Lauryn Hill.
All these powerful musicians in their own right and have cemented powerful messages in the minds of many but most importantly, their music is everlasting and makes you appreciative for the sound of life – just as how Simphiwe has done with her latest album called “Tugela Fairy”.
I was raised in a home which celebrates good music, my dad always played a lot of Country and Maskandi music
With her stardom on the rise, she has garnered fans who are appreciative of her work and she is reminded on a daily basis of how much her music means to them. Her number one supporters, being her family, still yet have to become adjusted to the lifestyle that she slowly becoming accustomed says: “They don’t really have a full understanding with regards to it but they are supportive and are proud of me.”
Label band mate Sun El- Musician, who also hails from Kwa- Zulu Natal gave her the platform to spread her wings and sing her heart out. The incredible connection between the two started in 2013, when she was studying at the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal, doing her Bachelor in Social Sciences and at the time, he was working with dazzling House Music vocalist Bucie.
“We stayed in touch from there, in 2016 I moved to Johannesburg and we started working in studio which is how the music came about” she explains. Through that the smash hit “Sonini” proved that these two have a special bond that cannot be broken.
Looking onto the bigger side of her musical journey she would like to collaborate with the people that inspire her to carry on doing what she loves the most who are: Sjava, Okmalumkoolkat, Dr Letta Mbulu and many others which will certainly drive her towards becoming one of South Africa’s greatest artists. However her wish for her fellow artists is to learn all aspects of the industry.
She emphasises heavily on this point and says: “I would like an increase in us artists pushing ourselves to understand a bit more informative of the business side of the industry and not just music.”
With a great vision for the future, Simphiwe is definitely not heading for the stars but she has become one herself and we cannot wait for all that has to offer.
