Entertainment / Music
Qeqeshiwe re-launches solo musical career
31 Mar 2016 at 00:37hrs | Views
AWARD winning performing artiste Qeqeshiwe Mntambo says it's high time she takes up her passion of being a jazz musician as she re-launches her solo musical career.
Three years ago Qeqe, a former dancer with Sandra Ndebele's Intombi Zomqangala, announced her arrival in the musical scene with a house music hits Phumakimi and Hlanyis' Umoya.
This in turn opened doors for her as she performed at the annual Kalawa Homecoming gig in that year under the Defined House label.
After that Qeqe went under the radar and only resurfaced last year as part of an all female band, One Stand that comprised her and the pint sized Dube twins Novuyo and Ntombi.
The singer who had such a promising musical career will next week Saturday Qeqe launches her solo career with a jazz single Kumnyama at a show at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe in Bulawayo. She will be backed by renowned jazz band Men at Work.
Qeqe said she felt I was time she followed the footsteps of Thandiswa Mazwai, Simphiwe Dana and Hope Masike.
"I've always wanted to go solo and do what I call original music, which is jazz. For the past two years I've been doing music in all kinds of genres, especially house. I feel it's the right time to focus on developing myself and doing what I truly love which is music," said Qeqe.
The National Art Merit Award winning artiste said the launch of her single was to promote her Xhosa roots and also will be a precursor to the launch of her album later on this year.
"With my music I want to let people know that there are Xhosa people in Zimbabwe. Dorothy Masuka is my inspiration when it comes to someone who sings in Xhosa and I want to emulate her," said Qeqe.
She said although she was going solo it did not mean she was abandoning One Stand.
"This development doesn't mean that I'm leaving One Stand. Everyone who is part of a group or band can pursue a solo career and come back to the group. This is what I'm doing with my solo career, I'll pursue it and also go back to the group," said Qeqe.
The Cowdray Park based songstress said she left her house music career because it was not panning out well.
"Things didn't go as planned as I didn't get the response that I wanted when I launched my house music career. I expected wonders and doors to open after the Kalawa Gig but all that didn't happen. I was doing vocals for people," said Qeqe.
"What I like about jazz music is that as the lead singer you're the one who controls the tempo and direction of the music. Unlike house music, you're asked to sing in a certain way."
Qeqe is no newcomer in entertainment circles as she has played lead role as Suku in a local drama Suku — which saw her clinching outstanding actress in Nama 2013.
She also played Thuli in the rejuvenated Stitsha — a musical original written by veteran playwright Cont Mhlanga and later reworked by Sihlangu Dlodlo under Qhube Productions.
Three years ago Qeqe, a former dancer with Sandra Ndebele's Intombi Zomqangala, announced her arrival in the musical scene with a house music hits Phumakimi and Hlanyis' Umoya.
This in turn opened doors for her as she performed at the annual Kalawa Homecoming gig in that year under the Defined House label.
After that Qeqe went under the radar and only resurfaced last year as part of an all female band, One Stand that comprised her and the pint sized Dube twins Novuyo and Ntombi.
The singer who had such a promising musical career will next week Saturday Qeqe launches her solo career with a jazz single Kumnyama at a show at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe in Bulawayo. She will be backed by renowned jazz band Men at Work.
Qeqe said she felt I was time she followed the footsteps of Thandiswa Mazwai, Simphiwe Dana and Hope Masike.
"I've always wanted to go solo and do what I call original music, which is jazz. For the past two years I've been doing music in all kinds of genres, especially house. I feel it's the right time to focus on developing myself and doing what I truly love which is music," said Qeqe.
The National Art Merit Award winning artiste said the launch of her single was to promote her Xhosa roots and also will be a precursor to the launch of her album later on this year.
She said although she was going solo it did not mean she was abandoning One Stand.
"This development doesn't mean that I'm leaving One Stand. Everyone who is part of a group or band can pursue a solo career and come back to the group. This is what I'm doing with my solo career, I'll pursue it and also go back to the group," said Qeqe.
The Cowdray Park based songstress said she left her house music career because it was not panning out well.
"Things didn't go as planned as I didn't get the response that I wanted when I launched my house music career. I expected wonders and doors to open after the Kalawa Gig but all that didn't happen. I was doing vocals for people," said Qeqe.
"What I like about jazz music is that as the lead singer you're the one who controls the tempo and direction of the music. Unlike house music, you're asked to sing in a certain way."
Qeqe is no newcomer in entertainment circles as she has played lead role as Suku in a local drama Suku — which saw her clinching outstanding actress in Nama 2013.
She also played Thuli in the rejuvenated Stitsha — a musical original written by veteran playwright Cont Mhlanga and later reworked by Sihlangu Dlodlo under Qhube Productions.
Source - chronicle
