Vusi Nova heals through his music

Mixed-bag musician Vusi Nova has released his latest album, which is his 5th, called Manyanyan. He says he took everything, from mbaqanga to gospel, when expressing his issues with love and rejection as the main themes.

Mixed-bag musician Vusi Nova has released his latest album, which is his 5th, called Manyanyan. He says he took everything, from mbaqanga to gospel, when expressing his issues with love and rejection as the main themes.

Published Aug 19, 2018

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Vusi Nova has finally released his long-awaited 5th album, called Manyan-nyan. This follows his 2016 release Naninina, which centred on his break-up with his partner of five years, and speaks about moving on.

But not only is Manyan-nyan about sharing his tale of love and progress but also about healing listeners, just as music healed him.

“My whole life has been about being saved by music, really. I can name a lot of instances where I feel music really saved my life.

“Even during my break-up, music was there,” says the 32 years old.

“I can’t wait for other people to hear this album because I know it will help so many out there.

“I am excited about things like these because that is what music does, it heals and it is just beautiful. I can’t wait for the music to go out there and see what impact it will have on people.”

Manyan-nyan is a blend of genres, from gospel songs and tradition - infused music to the R&B sounds, which his fans have come to know and love.

“These are genres and types of sounds that I grew up listening to - music that has inspired me a lot.

“All I did was take everything that I love - mbaqanga, amagwijo, traditional songs sung when boys come back from the mountain that influenced my music a lot. Gospel music rubbed off on me as I was raised by my grandmother who loved church a lot - and just infused them into this album,” he said.

There are songs that speak about love and a special song that is a tribute to fallen music legends, such as Ray Phiri, Lucky Dube, Sfiso Ncwane and Robbie Malinga . These are people who had an impact in the music industry, he said. Nova says being able to produce a 5th album, and giving music to the world, are honours for him “because not a lot of artists reach such pivotal career marks in this volatile industry”.

“People assume that this is only my second album but it isn’t.

“And being where I am has always been a dream of mine - to put music out there, so that long after I am gone, my music remains.

Artists such as Zahara, Kelly Khumalo, Ntando and his very own potégé group from Umtata, 047, are featured on Manyan-nyan.

“These collaborations were done in the name of putting music out there, and I have a couple of my friends helping me do that while also telling my story. I think these selected individuals are all incredible singers, making it that much easier to work with them. It is all God’s work,” Nova said.

When he’s not making music, which he describes as his life, Nova says he likes to be at home, watching TV.

We asked the star for five quick facts that people might not know about him.

“I am extremely shy. People think I am talkative and outgoing etcetera, but I am shy.

“I love motorbikes and that comes from me loving fast things.

“I love horses and nature because, from time to time, I go to game reserves to view animals and nature. But mostly horses; horses are beautiful animals.

“I cook. I can cook you any dish you want.

“I love my space. I am kind of like a loner. On stage, that is where I can live out my dream; get on that stage and I go crazy.

“But you will never catch me dead doing that off stage.”

The digital release is available right now, while the physical copies of his album will be made available next Friday.

@AmandaMaliba

The Sunday Independent

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