Gqeberha’s Nomabotwe Mtimkhulu has finally released her long-awaited debut album, Hamba Ungemi (Move forward and never stop).
The nine-track album, produced by SA Music Awards (Sama) winner Edgar Muzah and Mthokozisi Mabuza, took three years to complete and was released on October 29.
The Afro soul singer from New Brighton said people could look forward to hearing Afro soul, Afro jazz, as well as gospel songs on her album, which were inspired by her life experiences.
“Hamba Ungemi is the title track.
“It is a motivational song that I wrote during a dark time, trying to motivate myself to not give up.
“I was trying to encourage myself to not stop.
“I could take a break but never stop what I am doing no matter how tough things get.
“Now this song is not mine, it is for the people,” Mtimkhulu said.
She said a phone call with her manager, Nondumo Dyantyi, in January inspired her to work on her first album.
“Growing up, I joined choirs at church and I then went on to join a local choir called The Great Joy of Africa.
“I later joined Stompie Mavi’s band.
“After Mavi’s passing in 2005, I started singing professionally.
“As an independent artist, I own the masters [copyright] for my music.
“Some of the challenges are having to raise funds to record, master and launch my album.
“I thank God that, with persistence and dedication, I was able to record, release and launch my album,” Mtimkhulu said.
Speaking on working with Muzah, she said it had been a wonderful experience.
“He owned my project as though it was his personal project.
“It felt like I was working with my brothers — him and Mthokozisi Mabuza, as well as Cornelius Poisat.
“I would recommend them any day,” Mtimkhulu said.
Muzah said Mtimkhulu was able to go deep yet soulful while also provoking her audience to be moved emotionally.
“She can also be a technical vocalist, she has a way of finding a balance in all the things I have mentioned,” the Sama winner in the rest of Africa award category said.
“Just by listening to her, you can hear her soul, her heart, because she transfers that to her songs and marries it with the music.
“One thing that makes her stand out as a vocalist is that she has not been exhausted out in the industry.
“People are going to listen to this fresh new sound, not comparing her to anyone, but she should be shining among the best.”
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