The fifth album of Hlengani Baloyi, better known as CIC Makaveli, was well received by fans of Xitsonga traditional music. The album, titled Ndyelo (which means "food plate"), was released two months ago and comprises 12 full tracks, with leading songs such as Chachamela and Amagwala.
"The album is doing very well. My fans really love my music because it always guides and teaches and comforts them in different situations," he said.
On this project, he worked with two producers, Given Mathebula and Eric Mabasa, as well as some backing vocalists. When asked why he had chosen this name for the album, he said: "It was because of the spike in gender-based violence. Ndyelo refers to women who cheat on their husbands in order to put more food on their plates, and then get beaten up by their husbands because men don't know how to react to that kind of a situation," he said.
The multilingual musician from Mdabula Mbhalati village in Malamulele lives in Johannesburg these days. When he first started making music in 2012, he focused on hip-hop music, but later changed his sound to Xitsonga traditional music. His album Switori tori, released in 2018, was his first Xitsonga traditional music album.
His music is inspired by Xitsonga musicians such as Solly Makamu and the late Xitsonga music legend Matshwa Bemuda.
Apart from being a musician, he is also a songwriter, programme director, self-taught graphic designer, and actor. "I once played a part in a local Xitsonga horror movie, called Nsele wa vuloyi, but the movie was never released because of financial constraints," he said.
Check out CIC Makaveli's music on YouTube or follow him on Facebook (CIC Makaveli). For album orders or bookings, call 065 802 2991 or 079 787 8359.