Pretoria - Now that the National State of Disaster has been lifted, artists have to come out strongly to give people what they want because they’ve had time to be creative during the lockdown period.
So says Pretoria singer, songwriter and recording artist Candice T.
“It has been hard on everyone, and most importantly it affected artists tremendously because we need people to work. However, it was necessary for us to follow the rules so we can be all safe,” she said.
“So, now that everything is almost back to normal, we as artists need to come out strong as we had time to be creative and give people good music.”
According to her, the lockdown affected almost all artists, “and was not easy on me, honestly”.
“The world as we knew it came crashing down after I had just released my debut album, One Love. I couldn't get enough space to promote it the way I would have wanted to; I had to make do with what I had and make the most of it.”
And true to her words, Candice T has been spending a lot of time in the studio recording her second album, which is almost done, and will be released later this year.
But to whet the appetite among her growing legion of followers, she has dropped her single Ngfun’Uthando.
The Afro house tune features the talented star vocalists and producers DJ Tpz, Leon Lee, Mr Chozen and DJ Muzik SA.
“This song came up after my visit to Mpumalanga where I had an opportunity to meet these amazing artists,” she said. “The response I’m getting on this song is amazing and people are welcoming it with open arms. It’s a wonderful feeling because I’ve been working hard to put my name out there.”
Ngfun’Uthando will also be in the album. She will soon release another single, a remix of her original song Mthande, featuring Bukeka, Jay Spitter and DJ Muzik SA.
The success is well deserved for Candice T, who was bitten by the music bug when still in secondary school.
Her late aunt was passionate about choral music.
“She was blind. She formed a group consisting of me and my cousins and we would sing with her. People would give us money in appreciation.
“But at that time I didn’t think I was going to pursue a career in music. It was only after I went to the Tshwane University of Technology to study drama that I fell in love with music and performing.
“Looking back, music has always been around me, and I could not run away from it.”
Candice T is also an actor, passionate about theatre productions. However, she believes that if she was not a musician she would have been a teacher because, “I’m passionate about kids”. From her first album, Candice T singles out two songs she is particularly proud of: Owaka featuring DJ Call Me, and Mthande, on which she collaborated with Jay Spitter and DJ Muzik SA.
She names Mafikizolo and Cici as the muses who inspire her the most:“I think they are amazing. I get inspiration from people when I write my music, as well as things that I see and observe. I believe I’m maturing with my song writing.
“My writing has changed because now I understand the basics and am able to write mature music to accommodate everyone.”
Candice T’s advice to others who want to follow in her footsteps, was to be strong and create a network.
“And know that your dreams are valid and it is possible if you put your mind into it. Furthermore, make sure you’re mentally fit, because this industry comes with its territory and you need to stand firm on your beliefs,” she said.
“Over the years, I’ve learned that this industry needs you to be strong-willed and not look down upon yourself when the going gets tough; eventually things do come together.”
Candice T closed the interview by thanking her manager, Kutullo “Lekgema” Mogakane, for guiding and protecting her, her producer DJ Muzik SA and everyone she had worked with in her musical journey.
“I learned a lot from all of you; I believe I still have a lot to offer as an artist and I’m not slowing down any time soon.”
Pretoria News