Up & Close with soulful singer Thiwe

Soulful singer, Thiwe, signed with 999 Music in 2007 and released her debut album. Her big break came when producer Black Coffee remixed one of her songs, Crazy, which became a best-selling download internationally.

Thiwe is now signed to Sony Music and is currently working on her new album.

Born and bred in Masilo, Theunissen to her parents, she is Thiyiwe Mbola. 

Who is Thiwe?

I’m an opinionated, caring, strong, loud and crazy woman. What you see is what you get. I am more than just a singer and songwriter. I am passionate about the industry as a whole.

Your stage name where does it come from? 

My full name is Thiyiwe and that’s where my stage name comes from. I realised that people always spelt my full name wrong and hence I decided to use the shortened version.

What is your music style?

I am a soul singer. So whether the beat is house, African, gospel… Thiwe remains a soul singer.

I am a soft, relaxed singer and I’d like to believe that singers such as Jill Scott, India Arie and Lizz Wright play a big role in me expressing myself that way.

How do you describe your music?

 It’s dance music with a lot of soul. It’s African (the

What do you think is the role of music in SA? Music is there to heal. It is there to express social issues that the ordinary South African is afraid to express. It is there to make us forget about everything else that might be draining us a nation.

How did you originally get into music?

I grew up with my cousin Presss and he was always involved in everything and anything with music. So it looked like fun and so I started being a typical nagging little sister who always followed him around. I got into 999 Music because that’s where he was at the time.

What is the highlight of your career?

As a solo artist, I haven’t had a highlight. I honestly believe that this new relationship with Sony will bring more than what I experienced with both my past labels. So I’m hoping that when you ask me this question sometime next year, I will be able to tell you something worth mentioning.

What are the highlights of playing live?

My most recent performance at a KayaFM; I performed my house work with a live band and it was confirmation that I can do any genre and make it work for any crowd, with the right musicians behind me.

Describe your song writing processes

I prefer writing with keys accompanying me. That way, my soul is barred and the production of the music that comes in later does not take away the soul from the melody/lyrics.

What is your theme in your writing?

Thiwe’s life! For real! I write what I feel. I write when I feel something. I struggled to write for the past few months because I had nothing to say but now, that has all changed. I have a lot to say and it’s all things that are happening to me currently. I can only write about what I know and I guess that’s what makes my music so relatable.

What do you hope people take away from your music?

Self love, hope, faith and a whole lot of happiness.

What would you be doing if you were not doing music?

I’d be promoting talent. I’d be finding and nurturing talent. I’m still gonna do this in a year or two.