By Wanique Block
For as long as we know the music industry, more specifically the South African music industry has always been a male-dominated space.
A woman’s success and relevance within the music industry has always been tied to and affected by sexism and inequality thus hindering a women’s overall progress.
Thankfully years later, more strides have been made to facilitate inclusivity and representation in music across all boards and sectors.
Organisations like the Basadi in Music Awards have been created to highlight and celebrate female talent in the music industry.
The first of its kind awards ceremony will be celebrating and shining a light on various women in the music industry, from singers, performers, producers, composers and other industry professionals.
Amongst many other music creatives that are celebrated by the Basadi in Music Awards, singer and songwriter Phumla Music has been nominated for the Kaya 959 Afropop artist of the year.
Born and bred in Mpumalanga, Phumla’s love affair with music dates back to her early childhood at five years old, where she would regularly perform for her dad and his friends.
The fast rising Afropop artist is passionate about her craft, this is evident with the music she has released as well as the performances that she done.
Ahead of the first Annual Basadi in Music Awards taking place on the 13th October 2022, Kaya 959 spoke to Phumla Music about her musical journey, creative process as well as what this nomination now means to her. For more on this read our full interview below:
Outside of music who is Phumla Music? Phumla Music is fun. She has the brightest smile and loudest laugh. She holds a Honours in Media Studies from the University of Limpopo. I am very passionate about music. It is all I know. It is all I’ve ever known.
What’s your songwriting process like? Where do you get your inspiration from? When I write music, I am mostly in my feels. I write what I’m currently feeling in the moment and what people around me are going through. Sometimes I dream of a melody and in the morning, I lay it down and write on it. My writing sessions are fun!
What would you say is the best and worst thing about the music industry? The best thing about the music industry now is that women are now showing up and we have more hits, and we are charting. Women are getting their groove back! I enjoy seeing more women touring the world and showing us that it is possible. The worst thing about this industry is the jealousy and fake love we show each other. We are not united and the competition amongst us is very daunting.
What would you like listeners to take away from the music you create? HOPE, STRENGHT, CONFIDENCE AND MOSTLY TO FEEL LOVED. I always write to empower, inspire and let people embrace love and being loved. There is no greater feeling than loving and being loved.
You’re currently nominated for the Basadi in Music Awards, for the Kaya 959 Afro pop category. What does this nomination mean to you? What a time to be alive. It means that I am finally seen. I was on the verge of giving up when I got the email about the nomination. This nomination restored my fading dreams and pushed me back into the game.
Holistically, what does the Basadi in Music Awards platform mean to you? It gives me a sense of comfort to be a woman in the music industry. It has also given me a platform to be myself and to be unapologetic about it. Basadi in Music Awards may be unaware, but this platform has given us women our power pack. We have been fighting these wars within the industry with no spear, and now is the time to claim back our power. I feel saved and protected knowing that my art can be at least heard and celebrated.
What’s the one quote that you live by? BREATHE YOU ARE NOT DROWNING. Sometimes if not all the time being an independent artist feels like you are under water and you cannot breathe. I live by these words to remind myself to get up and try again.
What’s next for Phumla Music? Doing Music with Makhadzi (lol) and collaborations with other artists. I am currently in studio working on a solo project, which is expected to be released in October.
We at Kaya 959 are the proud sponsors of the Afropop category at the first annual Basadi In Music Awards. To vote for your favourite nominee in the Kaya 959 Afropop category SMS Afropop and their name to 49960.
SMS’s cost R2. Free SMS’s do not apply. Voting closes on the 16th September 2022.
Read Next: Basadi In Music Awards reveals a hot list of talented nominees
