Khally S - the new Bulawayo princess of opera

Khaliphile Sibanda is the personified meaning of dynamites come in small packages. Going by the stage name Khally S, her musical prowess, and the way she is quickly gaining recognition in the Zimbabwean music industry testifies that it's not the size of the dog in the fight that matters, but, the size of the fight in the dog. At a tender age, Khally's mother through that motherly intuition, declared her a future star singer.



"She used to say apart from the scientist traits she was noticing in me, I also could make a good singer," Khally remembers. At the early age of nine Khally was already a singer that easily drew people's attention. Khally says she was pushed by both the love of music and the natural love for experimenting with her voice."

In September 2017, the singer Khaliphile found herself combining with Sinazo's Tish Malaba Ncube from Glenn Recordz, and venturing into a new unique futuristic project-opera house. Sinazo is still walking heads high after their double nomination at the recently glamour and glitter Bulawayo Arts Awards where they were nominated on the best house group and song of the year categories for their hit song Kalanag Child.

Khally's first release was the recently dispatched track 'AmaSoweto' which is currently enjoying airplay in Zimbabwe radio stations. "I decided to record with the UK based Glenn Recordz because they recognised my musical talent from afar. I felt honoured by that gesture and my professional relationship with owner Tish Ncube is good and exemplary" explains Khally.

"AmaSoweto is a song about the cultural beauty of Bulawayo the city of Queens and Kings in general" explains the song writer Malaba. "The song revolves around the "Asifuni Bumbulu" slogan, a catchphrase that was created by a group of Highlanders Bosso supporters whose aim was to counteract the violence that was marring football matches especially at Babourfields stadium." He added. "Contrary to beliefs in some quarters, the song is istead a 'peace and love' song". Regarding the Amasoweto track Khally added, "I fell in love with the track AmaSoweto because, despite being an opera singer, the concept of opera-house music was all new to me. I loved singing it".

Khally believes that no talent is meant for the grave and hence her ultimate goal is to have his producers and fans proud of her works. "So far I am having the time of my life recording with Sinazo and I aim to record countless albums with them in the future". For her upcoming album, Khally has recorded two more hot tracks due to be released before the end of September. Both Khally and Sinazo's Tish are pretty confident that both songs are hotter than AmaSoweto. According to Malaba the first track is a Kalanga house song entitled 'Mme ba Sharon', loosely translated 'Sharon's mum'. The song really promises to be chilly hot and it features the veteran Skyz Metro FM reggae presenter, Gabz 'Utter' Fire in additional lyrics.

Khally's natural music style is opera, making her proud in pioneering opera house music in Bulawayo and the country in general

"Opera is my genre and Sarah Brightman is my inspiration. I am in opera house music with Glenn Recordz and I am still in my track. I really loved singing in the Kalanga language and I am looking forward to it being the 10th language I ever speak."

The second song is entitled I Will Rise, of which Khally felt it spoke to her inner being.  "That's a song to make my mama proud and the lyrics say so in the song as well"

Asked how she would defines success, khally was quick to answer.
"Success is when you record a song and people like it, like I did with AmaSoweto. It's being requested on radio which is the whole point".

At a personal level, Khally describes her favourite food as fresh fries and the most embarrassing moments as when she forgets the lyrics on stage and could not redeem the moment.

For those who have fallen in love with her music, Khally will also be performing her tracks at the Sinazo Kalanga Child album launch to be held 21st December in the Bulawayo Theatre. The launch line up is blessed with such seasoned and talented groups and individuals as IYASA, Ndux Junior, Dj Dash, Sotsha Moyo (Black Umfolosi), Dj Bozza (SA) and many more other guest artists.