WeeklySA_AdminDRIVE: Phuzekemisi, king of indigenous genre maskanda, back on limelight as a judge in talent-search reality show…
By Gugu Sibiya
Maskandi fans were surprised when the genre’s royalty, the phenomenal Phuzekhemisi, graced the brand-new reality show Ushuni Womhlaba as fellow judge, alongside Mandla ‘Njinji’ Magwaza and Mpumi ‘Msakazi’ Mlambo, Big Zulu, Sho Madjozi and Msaki.
The show, hosted by Magwaza and Mlambo, first aired on SABC1 on July 7. Formulated around the popular America’s Got Talent, the reality show comprises three judges, with one or two guest-personality presenters.
Contestants sing their hearts out with the hope of going to the next level, or get encouraged to go back to the drawing board. The excited, serious or nervous mood outside the audition room is punctuated by spontaneous renditions they plan to bowl the panel over with. Interviews are telling.
Seeing the nimble-fingered guitarist among other crème de la crème musos is befitting. Like his fellow judges, he’s churned award-winning gold and multiplatinum disc offerings. They remain party bangers.
As one of the esteemed judges, Phuzekhemisi, with Msaki and Big Zulu, bring their collective wealth and mastery of showbiz, to sift chaff from the weeds.
“Our job is to identify uniquely talented individuals, who can play with their voice and use it to tell their stories while seriously searching for a break,” explains Phuzekhemisi.
“Wannabes battle it out in genres such as maskandi, mbaqanga, scathamiya and Afro-pop. The chosen ones will attend masterclasses. This will go a long way toward helping them realise their dreams in the dog-eat-dog industry of music.”
“We’re casting our sights on fresh acts that are bringing their A-game to the contest. There’s no room for copycats. Aspirants who don’t cut it can always try their luck again next season,” he says, concerned about some contestants’ lack-lustre showing.
Multi-award winning Phuzekhemisi breezed into the maskandi scene with his late brother, Khethani. “Not only did we love strumming our guitars, but we were crazy about maskandi music. Getting in professionally was a natural progression of events,” enthuses the veteran guitarist who, alongside his brother, captured the imagination of the nation with their anthemic hit, Imbizo.
Imbizo is a relatable song about chiefs constantly milking their subjects for money they don’t have.
“When we dropped Imbizo, we didn’t anticipate it was going to be that big. To this day, it’s the most requested song from my set.”
A number of hits followed, which saw him perform at sold-out venues, including in Europe.
Another jewel in his crown was the Sxaxa Mbiji collaboration project with Hash’Elimhlophe and the late Mfaz’ Omnyamaa.
“It was a great project that came about when blood was flowing in the valleys of our beloved KwaZulu-Natal. Our songs pleaded with our people to stop killing each other. We encouraged them to talk and find common ground. We were fortunate that wherever we went our pIea hit a nerve. Sadly, we lost Mfaz. It was a blow to us,” he recalls sadly.
The guitarist was candid about his last offering, Sikhokha Njalo, which was dropped four years ago but didn’t follow the trajectory of his other works.
“Many things have changed in the industry. These days, you drop songs on various platforms. While it goes global instantaneously, some of our fans are still hung over CDs. Our companies always do what’s best for artists.
“Our fans want to see us at festivals, but they’re few and far apart. I’m begging fans not to bring their squabbles to these events because they endanger people’s lives, if not hurt them. We’re working and end up getting dragged in. Let’s respect each other.
I’m grateful for government and corporate gigs that keep the wolf at the door. I’m enjoying Ushuni Womhlaba, So far, we’ve been to Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga and Gauteng.
“As soon as we’re done, I’m going back to the studio to work on my latest album. We implore DJs to stick up for maskandi exponents by playing our music,” he pleads.
