29-year-old Lungelo Mathe, popularly known as ‘Mashampula’, wants to dominate the world of Maskandi music.
Lungelo hails from the kwaMnyamanzi kwaZiphethe area of Nongoma. He explains that when he finished his matric in 2015, he decided to pursue singing as a career. “When I realised there were no funds at home to carry on with my studies after school, I decided to do music fully – Maskandi music specifically. My whole life, I have been exposed to this genre. My uncle would play it every day at home on the radio and my love for singing grew from then. Even at school and in community activities, I would lead songs. My inspiration was from the late Mfazi Omnyama, who was a Maskandi artist. I like the way he just sang and needed no instruments to back him; I really love him a lot.”
Lungelo has taken part in various Maskandi competitions, like the Siyabonga Maskandi Festival, where he won. He also performs at local events and in Johannesburg, where he currently lives. “It has been a journey and it comes with challenges, but my aim is always to write music that people will receive positively. There was a time when I had to market my music on the streets and organise events like beauty pageants, where I got to perform for the audience at the end of the show for marketing purposes.” He has three albums to his name at the moment, with his last project being ‘Ngiyalithanda Idlozi’ (I love my ancestor). This 12-track album was released in August last year. He says people showed so much love in his last project, the favourites being track 6 and 11, titled ‘Umuntu Omnyama’ and ‘Usizi’. He says he will be releasing new music this year and wishes to give the best to his followers.
“The music industry is not easy. That’s why having a qualification as a backup is always best. Good advice is: have respect and be patient, as anything is possible and doors do open. I would like to thank Mlungisi Qwabe, who has been supporting me since day one, and Zakhele Mahaye, who believes in me and my talent after several times I wanted to give up.” Lungelo can be contacted on 081 875 5404 or 078 727 6723, and Mashampula Qwabe on Tick Tock.
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The news provided to you in this link comes to you from the editorial staff of the Vryheid Herald, a sold newspaper distributed in the Vryheid area.
