He is Not a Kwaito Artist
By Lebohang Mpede , 19 Feb 2009 | One CommentBorn in Umlazi in Durban to a poor family, this young kwaito artist worked with some of South Africa’s top producers on his debut album and is set to be one of Mzansi’s biggest artists of our age.
Lungisani Njapha, better known as Emza speaks to Joe and Q on Valentine’s Day’s Mzansi Show.
Emza started his music career as a rapper. With the raise of kwaito and house music Emza changed his singing style to Durban Kwaito Music, a genre that balances House Music and Kwaito better than any other.
“I am Emza a Durban Kwaito artist”
-Emza
So is Emza a rapper or kwaito artist? “I am Emza a Durban Kwaito artist”, proudly responds the talented singer.
Challenged on why it is so important to distinguish himself as a “Durban Kwaito Artist”, Lungisani goes on to explain that Durban kwaito has a faster house like beat while that of Joburg is a bit slower.(listen to The Mzansi Show to hear what Q had to say about Joburg being slower).
Talking of Joburg, Emza is now based in Joburg having been signed by Blaqk Records; I wonder how Afrotainment missed such a good Durban talent?
Without any money to go to school Emza arrived in Joburg in 2007 and was lucky to meet Matobetsa. Having no demos, due to financial reason, Emza had to hustle to get a record deal. He impressed Nkululeko (Magebz) of Blaqk Records with a live audition and got himself a record deal, this lead to the release of his hit debut album “Nswelaboya”.
“Then of course there is something for the ladies…”
The album is inspired by the good times of South Africa and has a huge Durban influence to it. Tracks like Weekend, Wololo,I Bus Lom’Jolo (feat Magebz), Ngena Enganeni (feat Magebz) and Spin The Bottle will keep partygoers on their toes at every party. There are harder hip-hop influenced tracks as well like Nswelaboya and Take you to Durban where Emza shows of his immense lyrical ability. Then of course there is something for the ladies in a lovely soulful track titled Ntomb’yami (feat Matobetza).
With the release of his debut album and with the great team lead by Magebz at Blaqk Records, Emza is tipped to be SA’s biggest artist by the end of the year. The artist, Emza, has already been fully booked for multiple gigs in 2010, well for those of you who are slow that is when the World Cup will be in South Africa.
FACT! Durban Rocks
Listen to Q and Joe as they present The Mzansi Show with Emza, a Valentines’ Special
Look im based in Zimbabwe, and i say i speak for a fair number of people when i say we would like to get a bit more emza here. Weekend was that jam everyone spoke about but couldnt get their hands on, one day at a house party it happened to come on TV, and we turned down the sound and played TV live,and now intokazi is burnin up the floors,keep doin your thing