Johannesburg - Singer/songwriter Azana has always been interested in law because of her love for learning how things work.
“It is something that I was interested in after school just as much as I was interested in music. I made the decision to study law because I was already singing and learning about music every day. It is something that I do apart from music.”
The Your Love hit-maker is musically influenced by black musicians who express their activism and feminine experience boldly. Her love for music started at a young age.
“I used to always be in musical groups from pre-school up until university. I remember one time when my dad came with the Lira album Live in Concert: A Celebration in 2009 I think it was. I watched that concert and that is when I knew I would do music and perform. I was very inspired by that.”
The Durban-born singer’s flexibility has allowed her to adapt to most genres of music.
“I don’t only do house music. I also do afro pop and neo soul. I don’t like doing one thing because I feel like it is very limiting. My music is accommodating to people because I translate the lyrics to English so anyone anywhere can sing along to it. The sound is very electronic but it can also be vibey, slow and fast. A song like Ngize Ngifike and Bafazi from my album Ingoma, those are very electronic songs. Your Love and Okhokho are really soulful songs.”
The 20-year-old, whose real name is Makhosazana Masango, said her music journey so far had been interesting.
“I am being exposed more and more to what the industry is and how we operate in South Africa compared to other countries. I feel like as an industry we could do better.”
Azana’s 14-track musical project, released last July, has been nominated in four categories for the upcoming SA Music Awards (Samas).
Her album Ingoma is up for a best afro pop album nod while the rising star is nominated for newcomer of the year. Her popular single Your Love is nominated in the record of the year and music video of the Year categories.
“When I got nominated I didn’t know it was a big deal until I realised that people were taking it seriously. When I go back into memory lane I remember watching Samas in the early years and it’s a big thing in this country.
“I am grateful because we have worked so hard and deserve the nominations. It feels good to not expect anything but to also be acknowledged for your work.”
Azana said the pandemic had made her work difficult but she had pushed through.
“It has been really tough. A lot of things have changed and we have had to adapt. I also have to deal with not being able to go to lessons for my studies. I have to wake up and have that discipline to tell myself that I have to do the things I need to do,” said the third-year law student.
For music lovers who have yet to explore her music, Azana said she would like them to meet the risk-taking singer that she is.
“I am a girl who does not give up. I take risks. I try to break norms and boundaries by coming up with new things. I always do my best and I would like my work to show people what you can do when you don’t give up and work hard.”
On Thursday, the star shot the music video for the song Uthando Lwangempela and the video is homage to all the fans and support structures in her life.
The Star