UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH BRENDA MTAMBO



 

 

 

South African trending Songbird and Afro-soul powerhouse, Brenda Mtambo, opens her heart to Evolution of Style, Fashion and Events. Born and schooled in Umlazi, south of Durban, and later moved to Johannesburg to finish her studies in Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting. Her big break in the music scene landed when she joined the award winning gospel group Joyous Celebration and since then she has never looked back.

We chat to her about her humble beginnings, living her dream, her debut album, the future and fashion!

 

 
SM: Brenda, Thank you for affording us few minutes of your hectic schedule to do this interview:

BM: Thank you so much for having me.

 

1. SM: Firstly, can we rewind to a couple of years back and tell us who Brenda was 5 years ago? (in terms of the dreams you had? State of your life then?)

BM: Brenda Mtambo has always been an ambitious, driven and dedicated lady, I look back 5 years and I am amazed at what I see, simple because I can see some of the things I dreamt of now happening, some are yet to come. So, I would say, I have always been ambitious inspite of everything.

 

2. SM: Now, coming back to 2013, currently who is Brenda Mtambo?

BM: Brenda is a girl from Kwazulu Natal with a vision to better her life, with a vision to inspire other people, with a vision to change her story. I can give you my background history but that still won't define who I am, I believe life is a journey and I am on my journey and unfolding every day.

 

3. SM: Between now and 5 years ago, do you have any regrets about your career and how your life has turned out?

BM: Absolutely Not!!! I believe everything happens for a reason, I won’t say i have never made mistakes, but I can say I have learned a lot of things throughout the years; my life has turned out to be a dream that is still unfolding. I have always wanted to be doing me and now I am granted that opportunity and I am grateful.

 

4. SM: I saw an article about you in the Daily Sun two weeks ago, titled “her voice cannot be matched” and I totally agree with the reporter, so when did your love for music begin?

BM: It began at an early stage of my life, back in KZN, I have always loved singing. I remember, we used to sing in my granny's bedroom and she will be so annoyed lol! But that experience made me realize I have something special, I never stopped. Throughout high school I continued such that everybody knew who I was at high school coz I was always singing, so this music thing has always been part of me and now I am here.

 

5. SM: I have seen you performing on stage and you are incredible, what does it feel like the moment you jump on stage?

BM: Let me be honest with you, I am always nervous before I get on stage, I shake, I pray ohhh lord!!! I do voice exercises and jump sometimes LOL!! But the minute I’m on stage I feel at home just because I love doing what I do. I can't actually describe what happens the minute I am on stage, it’s an experience every time I am on stage. I don't consider what I have done before, I take each moment as it is and pour my heart like it's the first time. I love doing what I do and I do it from my heart.

 

6. SM: Where do you draw your inspiration from?

BM: I draw my inspiration from God, from understanding the fact that I am designed for a specific purpose and only I can fulfil that purpose.

 

7. SM: Did you always know that you would end up being one of South Africa’s highly commended artists?

BM:  I wouldn’t say I knew, but I desired to be and even now I desire to be more of what I am.

 

8. SM: You have worked with some of the best and highly respected artists in the country, such as Hugh Masekela, Lira, Judith Sephuma, Mthunzi Namba , Ntokozo Mbambo and the list continues…How was that experience like?

BM: Amazing!!! I have learned a lot from everyone I have worked with, I have acquired experience along the way, and good relationships too. South Africa is rich with great talent and I believe there is so much we can all learn from each other.

 

9. SM: Your debut album, Inspired, beautifully packaged album and has been well received all around the country, did you anticipate this feedback?

BM: I didn't have expectations, however I prayed that people would relate to the music and see their own lives through mine. The music comes from my heart, my whole aim is that it touches somebody's heart too.  The feedback just in a month has been amazing I must say. And I would like to thank all the people who support me and encourage me.

 

 

 

 

10.SM: Why the title, inspired? What was the inspiration behind it?

BM: Inspired is a state of my mind. I was in a very low state, felt like things were not happening for me, I felt like certain things were not meant for me, I was literally depressed, it took me to change the way I was thinking, to change what I was saying about myself to get to inspired state of mind. During the time I was writing a lot of things down, I realized that I am no longer complaining, but I am complimenting, I realized how powerful that state changed my perception and perspective of life. All of a sudden I had ideas, I was a happy, I saw failures as opportunities to try again, I was inspired. It's that experience that made me title my album Inspired!! And from that I am saying, sing and also be inspired in your own life.

11.SM:Did you always know that your debut album wasn't going to be gospel? Considering your background in gospel with Joyous Celebration?

BM: Yes!! Joyous Celebration was a great platform to shape my music career. I always knew I was not going to sing gospel, I never even attempted to do anything that will indicate I will do gospel. I know a lot of singers who grew up in church and are R & B singers, jazz singers we can mention a lot. I am one of those and I have always thought African music defines me best. Also, through the years I realized that I can fuse soul, jazz and my African sounds together to get my own tune.

 

12.SM: Can I be a little bit unfair to you...lol... What are your two favourite songs in the album? I know this is like asking a mother to name her favourite child...lol.

 

BM: lol! Ya hey... I love all my songs, but All over now and Themba Njalo are special :-)

 

13.SM: Really? Well, I have listened to all the songs in your album, it happens to be the only cd in my car these days, I have grown fond of the two particular songs “Themba Njalo” & “ all over now” what was the inspiration behind these two songs?

 

BM: lol! And those songs happen to be 2 songs I regarded as my favourite. This is amazing. First of all thank u for loving the music, I am so happy to hear that.

 

Themba Njalo is a Zulu song simple means, don't lose Hope, I was encouraging myself, and I kept singing "themba Njalo" chorus part over and over to myself,  before I knew  it I sang all the song from my heart and boom I had a song.

 

All over now! Is a love song, simple when u have loved someone all your life and eventually u realize it was not what you made it to be. I know lot of  people can actually relate to the song. The song is my own experience that I wouldn't want to get into details with coz it's ALL OVER NOW!

 

14.SM: Out of the 14 songs in the album, which one did you record first?
 

BM: I recorded All I needed .

 

15.SM: Now let’s talk about fashion, how big are you with fashion?

BM: Ohhhh laaaaalaaaaaa! I love to look good. I wouldn't actually define my style, I wear what I feel like wearing depending on the mood and what I feel. I believe when u dress up, u telling us about your state of being. I am free! I wear what I feel when I feel like. 

 

16.SM: As an artist, do you think image plays an important role in your career?

 

BM: Definitely! As an artist you are a product, its important how you package yourself.

 

17.SM: Bags or shoes?

BM: Shoes!

 

18.SM: Winter Fashion/Summer Fashion?
 

BM: Winter! I love all boots, scarfs, hat and jacket combos, u can do so much in winter.

  

19.SM: What has been your greatest achievement so far?

BM: I can proudly say recording my album. I have always wanted to have my own music playing on radio.

 

20.SM: What can we expect from you in the future? Any upcoming gigs? Live recording maybe?
 

BM: I am at a beginning stage right now, I aspire to be better, to sing more and I  won’t  reveal a lot of things, I believe actions speak louder than words. People can follow me on twitter and Facebook for all the details and future plans. Its my dream to record live one day so I put it out there and believe God is listening.
 

21.SM: How can people get in contact with you for bookings?

BM: My office bookings@brendamtambo.com or call 0733490480.

 

SM: Thank you so much Brenda for chatting with us and we wish you all the best with your career, we love and appreciate your talent and KZN is proud of you!

BM: Thank you so much for this opportunity, I really appreciate it and thank you so much for supporting me through out. I love KZN my home.

                                         Inspired is available at Musica countrywide and on ITunes.

 

                                                

 

 You can follow Brenda on Twitter: @Brendamtambo and on Facebook: Brenda Mtambo (official)