It’s been a difficult few months for original queen of kwaito Mshoza. She lost her friend Mandoza, her mother is in a coma and she has been the brunt of many social media jokes because of the cosmetic surgery she's had.
But she's not moping around having a pity party.
Mshoza, whose real name is Nomasonto Maswanganyi, has released her first single in more than 10 years, Abantu Bam, a song dedicated to her fans.
“I've had people speak about me my entire life, my name has been tarnished and some hurtful things have been said about me so I decided to stay out of the limelight. Although I'm a celebrity, I'm still human,” she said.
The singer decided to ignore the negativity and channel her emotions in a song after a strange encounter.
“I was in the mall, running errands and in a rush. I was wearing glasses as I always do so people won’t recognise me. This very old lady came up to me and said: ‘I know who you are. I want to speak to you, let me take you for coffee’.”
Mshoza was taken aback and initially said no.
The elderly woman eventually persuaded her.
“We sat down and she started telling me how I must stop worrying about what people say about me and I must start making music again because it's my gift and I mustn't waste it. She reminded me about my fans and their love for me and how even she likes me.
"She motivated me to get back into the studio."
Soon afterwards, Mshoza called her producer and told him she wanted to make a song dedicated to her fans.
“The first day I got into the studio was messy because I just cried. I was emotional so we decided to take a break and start again the next day. Everything just flowed so beautifully and easily. I think it was easy because it’s easy to tell the truth when you are confident in it. This is a personal song.
"Mandoza was meant to feature on it but he said: 'No, my queen, this is your song about yourself and your fans, it’s your personal journey’.”
She found putting Abantu Bam together therapeutic.
“It felt good when I was done with this single; it was if a weight was lifted off my shoulders. I feel like now I don’t ever have to worry about what people say or write about me, I have enough people who love me and that’s what I need.”
Her new single has been nominated in the Best Kwaito category for the Metro FM Music Awards.
“I'm the only female in this category, so I'm amazed. What's special about this nomination is that this is my first single in 11 years. To get this recognition is heart-warming and I hope I win”, she said.
Apart from enjoying the success of her latest single, Mshoza is working on a new album and her new business, her own record label.
“Owning a business is no child’s play. Every day I'm learning but I always wanted to have Fresh Money Family Productions. It’s my little baby, literally, because I registered it last year even though I had its name tattooed three years ago.
“I'm working on an album and I'm looking forward to it. It's an extremely real album. When I first started recording it, it was a little too real and emotional because I was singing about things like my skin lightening, my love life and family, so I decided to do happy things with my life so that I can sing about happy things.
"I regret nothing in my life and I appreciate everything I have, so my album is going to be about that.”