The last time Jimmy Nevis and I were together we were rolling in a brand new Jaguar through the Franschoek Mountains as part of a test drive of the new car. It was such fun, such fun.
He was working on his second album and during the drive he played me a few of the finished tracks which were suitably impressive.
Now, the final product, called The Masses, is out. But, outside of his new music, the 22- year-old who sits in front of me at a restaurant in Melville is a far cry from the one who sat next to me in the Jaguar.
First, he graduated with a degree in social science from UCT and second, he has rediscovered his roots which has given him new confidence.
“This album is getting me closer to my goals and is opening doors. A lot of my identity is on this album. The themes are my community and the people, my career and then love.
“I am from Athlone in the Western Cape and I had to stop lying about that fact. There was a lot of self-acceptance that I had to go through. I am a coloured guy from Athlone and I have to be some type of light for my community because they are still in the dark. I work closely with a shelter for abused women and children, iHata, which I became involved in through my church. When I go and visit they go nuts and ask for my picture.
“I judge talent shows with the kids and sometimes sing for them. The women are never sure if they are coming or going because it’s so hard for them, but when I leave I always feel so inspired.
“I am so unashamed these days. I am who I am and damn everybody. I am looking forward to owning s**t. If there is one thing that Jozi and this industry has taught me, it’s to own s**t.
“This album really captures part of my identity that is so real right now. Yes, it is harder to market than the first because it’s not as pop, but after gigs people come up to me and say the songs are anointed, maybe because the music is so real and direct.”
The opening track is one of his more experimental: “Yeah, it’s me in my entirety in one song. It starts off with piano and then goes into choral and then I add some tribal beats. It introduces a different sound into the album, from choral to acoustic.”
Another favourite track is 7764 which was inspired by his visits to iHata. It was through his studies where one of his requirements was to research his own community.
“It was hard not to be affected by that. Suddenly writing songs just about love and hate was not good enough. I realised I had to take a stand. I want to entice, provoke and force a reaction.”
Aside from promoting his music in South Africa and working with his community, he is planning a promotional tour to the US in May.
“I have to try it. I want my destiny.”