Cape Town - Nathi Mankayi is proof that dreams can come true, even for young unknowns from small towns such as Maclear in the Eastern Cape.
Mankayi, known for his signature acoustic sounds coupled with Xhosa lyrics, has sold 88 000 copies of his debut album Buyelekhaya, reportedly South Africa’s fastest-selling album. His hit song Nomvula is still riding high on national charts, while also performing well on iTunes charts where the debut album is ranked seventh.
Mankayi now finds himself a double-platinum artist, and the darling of radio playlists and DJs.
He has also captured the attention of celebrities such as Metro FM DJ Bonang Matheba, who has referred to herself as Nomvula, and who plays the track often on her show. She has also supported Mankayi on social media during his quick rise to fame.
undefinedThere has not been hype around a Xhosa acoustic artist like this since Zahara released her hit Loliwe in 2011.
Mankayi zipped into Cape Town this week as his record label Muthaland Entertainment hosted a “Double Platinum Celebration” and showcased the Music Exchange conference at GrandWest on Friday night. This week, Mankayi visited Weekend Argus during a busy press tour.
“Being able to sell 88 000 copies in South Africa is dependent on how you make your music.
“I usually say if you make music straight from the heart then it is easier for listeners to relate to your music because people want real music with a real message – they are not interested in knowing how much money one has, they are more interested in hearing about things that affect them and their daily lives,” he said.
Like many South African artists, Mankayi has fallen victim to piracy, with Muthaland Entertainment claiming he is one of the most pirated artists. The album costs R79 on iTunes.
Ironically, Mankayi did not predict that Nomvula would become the hit it has.
Nomvula has been playlisted as far afield as Nigeria, taking Mankayi’s music to distant non-Xhosa speaking audiences.
“That took me by surprise but I was happy... It just showed me that people don’t care if they can’t understand what you are singing, but if the music is good and people enjoy it, that’s what matters.”
Mankayi is also a keen artist and has plans for his visual art career.
“I want to open an art centre and an art gallery, and I want to have my own company where I will be able to help people who come from where I come from reach their dreams without having to move to Johannesburg, because it is harder to be recognised for your talent where I come from.”
He developed his tastes and acoustic prowess in a place where the genre is not too ppopular.
“It is very scarce in Maclear, its mainly hip hop on that side. I wanted to move away from what everyone else was doing because I had noticed the hip hop market had been over saturated, along with the gospel scene.”
A big turning point for him came when he had a run-in with an arresting officer.
It is reported that he served four years of an eight-year robbery sentence.
“When I was being arrested, the arresting officer told me that I should start thinking about my life. So I took his words to heart and went forth.”
Weekend Argus