BRENDA Fassie might have long gone but her songs continues to be an inspiration to the wanna-be musicians, writes NAKAMPE LEKWADU.
An inspiring message on her song, Ag Shame Lovey in which she encourages young ones who want to be superstars to hold on to their dreams still speaks volume to most aspiring musicians, and one such is Tshimollo Comfort Masemola.
Know in the music industry as Xigubu SA, the multitalented musician told Lepelle Review in an exclusive interview that she drew inspiration for music career from Brenda, the late singer who was dubbed South Africa’s Queen of Pop.
Born in Ga-Masemola outside Lebowakgomo where the province of Limpopo’s Legislator is housed, Xigubu SA who grew up in Mamelodi although her talent for singing was realised at a very tender age, she only started to consider it for career when she was 17 in 2014.
“That was when I attracted the biggest artists such as Arthur Mafokate, Chomee, Pex Africa, DJ Ladytone, DJ Buckz and many more who roped me to work with them. The experience of working along those well-known artists gave me a lot of exposure while at the same time sharpening my career as a musician.” pointed out the ever-talkative songbird
Two years of into the industry as a professional supporting musician, Xigubu recorded her first album in 2016 but it did not see the light of the day due to some issues surrounding it.: “It was very depressing and sad to see my hard-work going down the drainage just like that, but as they say-It doesn’t matter how many times you fall…what is important is that we must capitalise on our mistakes and make them work,” said Xigubu who in her own words describes herself as the new version of Brenda Fassie with Lebo Mathosa character.
Describing herself as a woman of consistence, passion and perseverance, Xigubu said the issues that made her fail to release her first album did not distract her from becoming who she is today.
“I dealt with my demons and came out victorious, and in no time I had recorded my second album titled Drizzle which was released in 2018. Actually instead of giving up, I became even stronger because the road to success is never easy,”
Few tracks in the album, Sekobo and Mo ngwaneng, made the trick for her as she found herself getting gigs from a number of places across the province of Limpopo such as Lebowakgomo, Polokwane, Tzaneen, Lephalale, Venda then other provinces such as the Eastern Cape and Northern Cape.
Recently the ever-busy like a bee Xigubu has worked with the likes Team Delela, Krusher, DJ Miner Beats, Ale, Texes (Zambia) and Mellow.
With less than a day before the country could welcome Heritage Month (September), Xigubu has a gift for her followers and the country itself in a form of a new single titled 1060 My Roots.
“The song is about celebrating who I am as Mopedi and also reminding Babina Tau not to forget our culture. I call it 1060 anthem as the chorus is a sing along and with it they will always be proud of our heritage. The song says Ga-Masemola gae Ga-Mahlako kemo ke tswang,” added Xigubu who is also a dancer and songwriter.
For bookings Xigubu SA can be contacted on 079 720 7071, email is masemola.tshimollo@gmail.com. She is also available on her facebook page, Xigubu SA.
