After years of shaping the sounds of some of Limpopo's most respected musicians, multi-instrumentalist Archieman is stepping forward with his own body of work – a collection rooted in jazz, Afro influences and personal experience. The long-awaited release marks a milestone for an artist who has spent much of his career behind the scenes, contributing to the growth of others.
Archieman has worked with influential figures, including Colbert Mukwevho, CornerstonE and several established acts. He said those collaborations had helped define the musician he was becoming. "Working with legends like Colbert, Cornerstone and others has taught me that, in music, anything is possible long as you work hard on it, and that to be a professional, one must work like a professional," he said.
He said the decision to release his own collection came from artistic growth and fresh inspiration discovered this year. "This is all about growth in my craft as well as [being] inspired by the young Poetess (Happy Xvii) that I scouted during this year's Musina Got Talent competition."
Known for his versatility, Archieman blends jazz and Afro sounds with an approach that avoids strict genre boundaries. He said the project's tone was influenced by years of listening and by his primary instrument. "Music is an art that educates the nation through words, so one has to be creative. Blending it with Afro-jazz influences is through listening to different types of music genres, mostly Afro-jazz. The instrument that I play, the trumpet, had a big influence."
A committed mentor who has taught both younger and older musicians, he believes that openness shaped the recording process. "Everyone was given a chance to be free in expressing themselves according to how they feel the songs."
His compositions, he said, drew on everyday realities. One track, Lufu, stands out. "It is something that is happening every minute, hour, day and year, so we have to accept it and try by all means to live with it."
Supporters can expect more music, upcoming performances and new collaborations, including one with CornerstonE.