Local artist makes name for himself
To further master his skill, Mlungisi would meet up with his friend, Kwanene Biyela to learn a few chords together.
Philani Ncanana also known as Mlungisi from Njomelwane, Melmoth at Chief Biyela’s homestead in Kwa Zulu-Natal took on a new musical journey from Klipspruit Valley Road to Kliptown.
The Maskandi artist took on this journey after being found by a talent scout on the pavement with his acoustic guitar.
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The talent scout saw him as he was about to crossover to the other side, he called Mlungisi and asked him to come to him and sing for good use.
Mlungisi amazed the talent scout with his velvety voice and when he struck a chord with his guitar like a seasoned Maskandi artist would.
“The love for Maskandi music came through my parents who both had a love for this genre. They then encouraged me to consider pursuing my music career,” said the young artist.
Mlungisi is a self-taught guitar player who mastered the skill of playing in two months.
This is all thanks to a “double portion” blessing he got when he bought his first guitar from a well-known Maskandi artist.
“I bought my first guitar in November 2023 using money I got from my part-time job,” Mlungisi stated.
To further master his skill, Mlungisi would meet up with his friend, Kwanene Biyela to learn a few chords together.
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“On mastering the chords we both decided to approach one of our brothers in Njomelwane, Banele Dludla, a renowned Maskandi music guitarist in Melmoth. He gladly received us, jammed with us, and helped us to play the guitar to his standard,” said Mlungisi.
His first-ever performance was back home in KZN on a football ground where he serenaded the crowd with his velvety voice and with his newly acquired guitar.
The event was organised by Makhosonke Ndlovu, a well-known soccer enthusiast, a football club owner and a teacher whose love for youth upskilling makes him a force to be reckoned with.
Mlungisi said his first old school Maskandi music idol was Mtshengiseni Ndidane Gcwensa whose music resonated with him at a young age.
This caused his love for Maskandi music to grow deeper, so much that it introduced him to the new generation of Maskandi artists like iNkosi Yamagcokama.
“It was through listening to iNkosi Yamagcokama’s music that I finally took a plunge to write my own songs and become a Maskandi artist,” said Mlungisi.
Ending the interview, Mlungisi echoed these words, “It will be an honour for me to meet in person iNkosi Yamagcokama and to even collaborate with him.
“My long-term goals are to master playing Maskandi folk music, get extra guitar lessons from the pros and to learn how to play a keyboard.”
Mlungisi has joined the ZwinoG Talent Scouting Programme and the ZwinoG Artist Management stable waits for him to master his craft and from then onwards, the sky is the limit.
