Music
For a talented woman who grew up in Vuhehli village in the Giyani area, even though she had done vocal backing for numerous singers and musicians, Xongi's voice stood out and spoke volumes for her gift as a singer.
It was evident that she was not destined to work as a backing vocalist but as a singer of note, and one who would mesmerise thousands of music lovers with her voice.
She released a single earlier this year, followed by an album of the same name, Nyonga ya Mali. “The single went beyond my expectation, because it was the most downloaded Xitsonga single track,” she said. “People responded warmly to Nyonga ya Mali and it made me feel good.”
She was motivated by her husband and music promoter, Prince Rhangani. “He advised me to consider recording my first album, and I did exactly that,” she said. She added that she had found out that music was food for the soul and a medium of expression and communication.
Just in the first four days after uploading it online, Nyonga ya Mali broke the record when it reached 34 067 downloads. “This, I learned, had never happened with any other Xitsonga song before,” she said. “I felt that with Nyonga ya Mali, I was taking Xitsonga music to another level.”
Other standout songs on the album are Tsala Papila and Mbilu ya vava. The album comprises 11 tracks. “We have just finished recording my second album, which is due before Easter next year,” she said. “We are doing the final touches; my husband Prince is playing the role of producer.”
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She can be reached on 073 5559820 or 073 908 6605.