A well-known Mdantsane Township in East London gospel artist, Vuyisani Sholo – known as Vee – has ventured into the popular Igwijo music that is usually used in traditional ceremonies, including imigidi and traditional weddings.
Sholo was one of the artists who performed in the Tourism Awareness Campaign and Festive Launch 2023, held at Nyandeni Local Municipality at Mngcibe Beach in Ngqeleni.
Talking to Mthatha Express, Sholo said before he started this kind of music, he was an audiologist, but his equipment went missing at the event he was invited to.
“It was before 2020 when this happened, and it left a big gap because I did not have a source of income. I then opened a car wash which also did not materialise,” said Sholo.
He added that he did a graphic design course which helped him design invitations for different occasions. He said that one of his clients wanted something different, and this led him to record an Igwijo song which he used in that invitation to make it more attractive.
“I then put that song on TikTok and that led me to release my first single, titled akalali, in December 2021. Because people showed more interest in this type of music, I then decided to do more songs. I released an album in February 2022 titled Ngama menemene which consists of 10 songs.”
Sholo said that it was not his intention to sing this kind of music, and that his focus was on gospel, but its popularity demanded he concentrate on it.
He appealed to other artists to consider this kind of music, stating that one day they can go and perform in other countries like Lady Smith Black Mambazo.
