SONGSTRESS Thiwe Mbola's star is on the rise after ditching Arthur Mafokate's 999 Records.
The 27-year-old, whose contract with 999 Records ended last year, has just released her new single Don't Walk Away, which is getting a lot of airplay on radio stations.
Her first album Who Am I, released in 2007 was a flop; she says it was because it was not properly marketed.
"I was so frustrated having to take jobs that I was not passionate about just to survive. I worked as an events assistant and also had a stint at an import and export company," said Mbola.
She told Sowetan it dawned on her two years after the release of her debut album that she must take her music career seriously.
"I was only 22 years old when I released my first album. I was clueless about many business issues and I was not financially savvy.
"I am glad I went through hard times like being broke and having to go back home to Bloemfontein to be financially dependent on my mother. This taught me that nothing is permanent in life and through this period I have learnt valuable lessons," she explained.
Mbola said her career started taking a turn for the best when she solely focused on her music talent.
Her luck came when she collaborated with Black Coffee, real name Nathi Maphumulo, on a house track Crazy in 2009. He later signed her to his record label Soulistic Music.
"This proved that when you send out what you need to the universe it conspires to make it happen," she said.
In 2010 she slowly started to get bookings for gigs and she credits the demand for her on the music scene to the Macufe organisers, who booked her for the 2009 festival.
Mbola said her album was in the final stages of production.
Other artists whose careers became a success after leaving 999 Records include Lira, Speedy and Ishmael.
- motaud@sowetan.co.za
Life after 999 looking good for Thiwe
SONGSTRESS Thiwe Mbola's star is on the rise after ditching Arthur Mafokate's 999 Records.
The 27-year-old, whose contract with 999 Records ended last year, has just released her new single Don't Walk Away, which is getting a lot of airplay on radio stations.
Her first album Who Am I, released in 2007 was a flop; she says it was because it was not properly marketed.
"I was so frustrated having to take jobs that I was not passionate about just to survive. I worked as an events assistant and also had a stint at an import and export company," said Mbola.
She told Sowetan it dawned on her two years after the release of her debut album that she must take her music career seriously.
"I was only 22 years old when I released my first album. I was clueless about many business issues and I was not financially savvy.
"I am glad I went through hard times like being broke and having to go back home to Bloemfontein to be financially dependent on my mother. This taught me that nothing is permanent in life and through this period I have learnt valuable lessons," she explained.
Mbola said her career started taking a turn for the best when she solely focused on her music talent.
Her luck came when she collaborated with Black Coffee, real name Nathi Maphumulo, on a house track Crazy in 2009. He later signed her to his record label Soulistic Music.
"This proved that when you send out what you need to the universe it conspires to make it happen," she said.
In 2010 she slowly started to get bookings for gigs and she credits the demand for her on the music scene to the Macufe organisers, who booked her for the 2009 festival.
Mbola said her album was in the final stages of production.
Other artists whose careers became a success after leaving 999 Records include Lira, Speedy and Ishmael.
- motaud@sowetan.co.za
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos