Local songbird returns from 10-year hiatus

SEAVIEW-based songstress Aya Mpama makes a comeback to the music industry this year with five songs in an EP (medium-length music album) entitled Ayanda Amandla Ami. With just over 10 years since her last single release, the EP promises nothing short of Mpama’s soulful sounds.

Queensburgh News recently sat down to chat with Mpama about her ten-year hiatus from producing music and the inspiration behind her new EP.

“This EP is the first installation of three EPs which will form an album,” said Mpama, who added that the theme behind the EP is love.

“Lutho, the first single, is about self-love and acknowledging that one has a purpose – it’s my motivational song – I hope it motivates others,” commented the songstress.

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The second song, Mind the Heart, a collaboration with esteemed producer Kabomo Vilakazi, is about a love triangle.

“It’s about making a decision – do you follow your heart or your mind? Then there is Everything, the third song, which is your typical love song. All my music has the common theme of romantic love. Everything talks about those times when everything is beautiful – it’s something to hold onto during those tough times with a partner,” she said.

Mpama described the fourth song, Free, as the bridge between her previous Jazz album and current RnB work.

“I’ve fused the two together. It’s very dear to me because I want to bring along my previous listeners and be introduced to new listeners. Free talks about leaving a situation or relationship with grace and peace – no bitterness,” said Mpama.

The EP reflects what Mpama stands for as a woman in the entertainment industry.

“It is of great honour to share my music, once again, with those who love it. Gratitude goes out to SAMPRA for funding this project and allowing me the opportunity to reignite the love between me and music lovers around the world,” she said.

Songwriting process

As a music lover, Mpama’s songwriting process is always spontaneous.

“Songs just come to me. I can be washing dishes; I can be kneading steam bread – which is what happened with my song, Lutho. It always comes to me as a melody, and then I will add lyrics. For some artists, music comes to them in their dreams – but for me, melodies always come to me when I am awake,” said Mpama.

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While Mpama has not released an album for the last decade, she has been hard at work in the entertainment industry.

“Over the last ten years, I have been doing everything in the entertainment industry except for dance. I’ve done TV presenting, acting on TV and theatre, and I’ve toured different countries with different musical shows. I have done voice-over work and I’ve studied – I finally completed my honours degree during lockdown. You could say I’ve been collecting material for new music through life experiences,” she said.

And taking time to create is central to Mpama’s vision.

“I want to make timeless music. I believe it takes a while to make that kind of music and for it to be sincere. That’s really important to me – to make the kind of music that can be sung in 2050, the same way people still know As a Woman from my first album,” said the singer.

During her hiatus from music, Mpama played the lead in Nails, a play staged at the Market Theatre in Johannesburg which was nominated for a Naledi Award. She was also an ambassador for COP 17 and for the KZN Relief for Floods in 2016. She was also an ambassador for the Mbokodo Awards where Mpama wrote the theme song for the event.

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Fun facts

For a bit of fun, we asked Mpama to complete the sentences:
If I had a superpower, it would be… “A comedian. I love to make people laugh.”
My spirit animal is… “An eagle. I’m a bit of a loner like an eagle that flies alone and then comes back home. An eagle is also a predator – it checks on what it wants to achieve, strategises and sits quietly, and when it’s ready, pounces. I believe that’s me.”

Find Ayanda Amandla Ami online

Mpama’s EP will be available on Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube and Deezer. Mpama is also available on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @Aya Mpama or on tikTok @I am Aya Mpama.

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