Love. Live. Complicated. This is how Lady X encapsulates the lived South African woman experience.
After the success of her singles, she releases her debut album today, bang in the middle of Women's Month, and the messages could not have been more apt. She says the album is a tribute to the strengths of women and she had to dig deep from the courage of women of Africa when she created the recording.
The dynamic singer/songwriter has partnered up with acclaimed Afro- soul producer Mojalefa Thebe on production.
The album is a reflection of her musical journey and growth as it infuses the live elements of her four-piece band with her soulful and Afro house background, her newly found Afro-soul/pop sound and her jazz and blues vocal tone and melodies.
"The inspiration was to create an authentic sound. It is my truth and the truth of so many South African women.
"We've all fallen in and out of love and have endured what life brings, but we all have to pick ourselves up as the mbokodos we are, and we carry on with our complicated lives looking to a brighter tomorrow, that's what this album is for me. It is my way of expressing my journey and celebrating with each and everyone that relates to my music," says Lady X.
Lady X gives you a part of herself in her new album
Love. Live. Complicated. This is how Lady X encapsulates the lived South African woman experience.
After the success of her singles, she releases her debut album today, bang in the middle of Women's Month, and the messages could not have been more apt. She says the album is a tribute to the strengths of women and she had to dig deep from the courage of women of Africa when she created the recording.
The dynamic singer/songwriter has partnered up with acclaimed Afro- soul producer Mojalefa Thebe on production.
The album is a reflection of her musical journey and growth as it infuses the live elements of her four-piece band with her soulful and Afro house background, her newly found Afro-soul/pop sound and her jazz and blues vocal tone and melodies.
"The inspiration was to create an authentic sound. It is my truth and the truth of so many South African women.
"We've all fallen in and out of love and have endured what life brings, but we all have to pick ourselves up as the mbokodos we are, and we carry on with our complicated lives looking to a brighter tomorrow, that's what this album is for me. It is my way of expressing my journey and celebrating with each and everyone that relates to my music," says Lady X.
She says the album took a year to create because she wanted to take her time with it and truly listen to herself and let the writing process happen in its time. She finds it hard to pick songs she regards as standout. Pressed some more she says they all tell a different story but "iGugu Lami will always be my first love".
"It was my debut single in the Afro-soul genre and the way it speaks to South Africans I will always cherish.
"It moves the people's hearts and that's all I could have wished for.' She also picks A Song for Mama which she dedicated to her mother.
"Here I thank my mother for her teachings, and for the woman I have become, because I live in her name today.' Lady X touts. "Everlasting is as a perfect wedding song, 'full of truth in the expression of love in a union."
On Nguwe she acknowledges the Lord's presence and asks Him to open doors for her career and music.
'It's the song where I give myself to His will for my life's purpose'. 'Wandishiya tells a story she says every woman can relate to. It's about a man who leaves the rural areas to make money in the city only to forget about his wife and children and end up living a life outside of his character and loses himself and his family along the way.
"I hope the listener walks away with a piece of me. I hope they truly get to know my heart because I've given to this album every fibre of my being," Lady X says.
"I hope when they listen to my music they feel a part of them escape into and with my music.
"I hope it brings them light in times of dark, a smile and joy in times of sorrow and a dance that reminds them of home and where the heart is."