MASKANDI group Ithwasa Langempela is one of the country's exciting and innovative traditional groups.
MASKANDI group Ithwasa Langempela is one of the country's exciting and innovative traditional groups.
With talented singer Mtshengiseni Gcwensa the group has just dropped another exciting album - Amahlubuka .
With this album, Ithwasa Langempela proves that maskandi rules in terms of sales. Only in this genre and gospel can 20000 units be sold in 10 days.
Asked what made the new album special for maskandi fans Gcwensa says: "What makes this offering different are the people I worked with.
"This time I featured kwaito star Chesterville and gospel singer Sifiso Ncwane. The two have given my sound a different feel that people love.
"My music speaks about serious issues that people can relate to. I speak about my pain and personal experiences as someone who no longer has parents."
He defines the style as ushameni, which is one of the famous styles of maskandi. Unlike many other maskandi groups, who do not believe in collaboration, Gcwensa enjoys working with other musicians.
"It makes you grow as a singer."
Gcwensa says he grew up in a maskandi music environment.
When he came to Joburg he joined maskandi singer Mgqumeni and they formed Ubuhle Begubazi and Amagcokama. This was when he learnt a lot about the industry.
In 2004 he started with Amageza Amahle, which is one of the selling maskandi concepts. In 2005 he came up with Ithwasa Langempela.
Gcwensa composes, sings and produces music for both groups.
With Amageza he has won South African Traditional Music Awards as the best maskandi music.
Meanwhile, with Ithwasa Langempela he won two South African Traditional Music Awards: Best Composer and Bestselling Album.
EXCITING NEW MASKANDI OFFERING
MASKANDI group Ithwasa Langempela is one of the country's exciting and innovative traditional groups.
MASKANDI group Ithwasa Langempela is one of the country's exciting and innovative traditional groups.
With talented singer Mtshengiseni Gcwensa the group has just dropped another exciting album - Amahlubuka .
With this album, Ithwasa Langempela proves that maskandi rules in terms of sales. Only in this genre and gospel can 20000 units be sold in 10 days.
Asked what made the new album special for maskandi fans Gcwensa says: "What makes this offering different are the people I worked with.
"This time I featured kwaito star Chesterville and gospel singer Sifiso Ncwane. The two have given my sound a different feel that people love.
"My music speaks about serious issues that people can relate to. I speak about my pain and personal experiences as someone who no longer has parents."
He defines the style as ushameni, which is one of the famous styles of maskandi. Unlike many other maskandi groups, who do not believe in collaboration, Gcwensa enjoys working with other musicians.
"It makes you grow as a singer."
Gcwensa says he grew up in a maskandi music environment.
When he came to Joburg he joined maskandi singer Mgqumeni and they formed Ubuhle Begubazi and Amagcokama. This was when he learnt a lot about the industry.
In 2004 he started with Amageza Amahle, which is one of the selling maskandi concepts. In 2005 he came up with Ithwasa Langempela.
Gcwensa composes, sings and produces music for both groups.
With Amageza he has won South African Traditional Music Awards as the best maskandi music.
Meanwhile, with Ithwasa Langempela he won two South African Traditional Music Awards: Best Composer and Bestselling Album.