Source :Classic Feel Online

Simphiwe Dana – setting the style



Simphiwe Dana is a busy woman these days. When we arrange to meet her she is very late keeping the appointment but finally bustles in apologetically, and we are ready to start. This diva of South African music has just swept the 2007 SAMAs (South African Music Awards) by winning four of the five categories for which she was nominated with her second album The One Love Movement on Bantu Biko Street.
In 2005 Simphiwe was named Best Newcomer at the SAMAs, and at this year’s ceremony she proved that the award was no fluke. She was named Best Female Artist and her latest album was chosen as Album of the Year, also taking the honours for Best Contemporary Jazz Album and Best Vocal Jazz Album (only missing out on Best Producer for Bheki Khoza, which went to Moreira Chonguica and Mark Fransman for The Moreira Project – The Journey Vol 1). Simphiwe has come a very long way since the days when, as a young girl in the Transkei village of Lusikisiki, she used to sing while carrying out her chores, walking barefoot along the path to the river to fetch water or the forest to fetch firewood. She told herself then that no matter what, music, and singing in particular, were always going to be a part of her life – if not her life entirely. ‘I believe I was born to sing. I write all my songs with my listeners in mind,’ she has said. Her love of music began in the same way that it did for countless other South African music icons – with the encouragement of her parents, especially her mother, who filled her childhood with music.
Simphiwe’s unique vocal style and fresh blend of gospel, traditional African sounds, jazz and choral music, has won her not only these coveted awards, but the hearts of fans all over the world. Fresh from a successful sojourn in Europe which took up a good deal of the second half of 2006 and included performances in Italy, Spain, Austria and Switzerland, with a stint in Germany and appearances at Africa Day celebrations in Heidelberg as well as the FIFA World Cup fan festivals in Hanover and Berlin, she is preparing to tour again. ‘There were so many highlights of my European tour,’ she recalls. ‘I can barely remember them all! In November 2006 in Leverkusen I performed at a festival that celebrated different musical styles [the Leverkusener Jazztage]. It was a week-long event and I performed on the last day at an event called Concert for Africa. Amadou and Mariam were also due to perform on that day and we were getting very worried because the whole week long we had been experiencing all these brilliant artists performing on this huge stage. Out hotel was close to the venue so we could go to all the shows.’ This year’s artists included the likes of the Buena Vista Social Club, Nigel Kennedy, Level 42, Al Di Meola, Paco de Lucía and his band, Badi Assad, and the Manhattan Transfer, so Simphiwe was in excellent musical company. ‘On the night we performed, we had no idea of the impact we were making on the audience until we saw the newspapers the next day. You know, when you’re up on stage you’re just focused on the music, really. We were looking back after the show and analysing where we thought we could have done better! But the papers were all saying that we were the highlight – we just didn’t notice it at the time!’
She mentions that the audiences in Spain were spirited and passionate. Simphiwe performed on 8 July at the Mar De Musicas festival in the historic port city of Cartagena, at the open-air Auditorio Parque Torres where she shared the stage with the ever-popular Johnny Clegg. Translated as ‘Sea of Musics’, this was the twelfth festival and this year the entire edition was dedicated to South Africa. Our country was represented by Hugh Masekela, Abdullah Ibrahim, Thandiswa, and the Mahotella Queens, among others. ‘It was an amazing show, such fun.’
In May 2007 she appeared in the UK at the London African Music Festival, an event that has been held since 2003. This was her first performance in the vibrant city and she was tremendously excited to be going there. ‘I’ve been home since the beginning of the year and I’ll be in Europe for about three months playing at various festivals and events.’ Internationally the new album has only been released in Europe, but other markets such as America are certainly in the pipeline. Before leaving SA Simphiwe performed for her fans at home at a once-off gala concert in Durban’s Zulu Jazz Lounge in mid-May, saying farewell before once more leaving for an extended period.
As we speak her mobile phone rings at regular intervals. ‘It’s nice having fame,’ she says,’ but it’s a lot of work keeping it all together!’ How does she balance being a young mother (of two small children) with a hectic touring schedule? ‘The first time I went away I was so looking forward to it. I was happy to get away – but two days later I was missing my kids like crazy! It was difficult. My children don’t tour with me and I have no idea how I manage it – I just do it, I just do my best.’ She feels that she can use her talent to leave a legacy for the little ones that will help them to understand difficult situations in the future. ‘Take my song ‘Zandisile’, for instance, which I wrote especially for uZazi, my daughter, although there is a message for all the black youth of our country – if I ever was not there to help them and they felt confused and uncertain about life, they can listen to the words of my songs and hopefully get encouragement and inspiration.’
Simphiwe is an inspiration not only musically but also in individuality. Well known as a fashion icon, she conveys the message that it’s okay to look different, to be daring. ‘This is just me being myself. I take anything that appeals to me. Yes, I am a little eccentric and even futuristic in the way I dress, but I’m me. I’m an African and I blend the traditional with the modern. We have many talented young local designers such as Stoned Cherrie who are not limiting themselves to any particular look or trend but are producing outstanding creations.’ She has been known to say that one of her favourite fashion items is the turban that is often seen on her head, and claims to have an interesting collection. This is one diva who is setting the pace in style!
This positive attitude comes from a firm belief in herself and in the future of our country. ‘Personally, I’m excited. Our country is growing at a very fast rate – we see amazing things coming from South Africa. People here seem to be driven more so than people from anywhere else – they have a hunger. And as an artist I have been able to win awards. My music is not mainstream and often such a musician will have to have passed away in order to achieve this, but I’ve received accolades in my lifetime! I’m proud of my country because here timeless things are recognised. The next big thing will come from SA – just wait and see.’
One of the current big things is certainly The One Love Movement On Bantu Biko Street. ‘I had a hand in writing all the songs on the album,’ she tells us, ‘with two co-composers. The title is unusual, but it all has to do with my thoughts and feelings on the one love movement. I even had t-shirts printed while I was overseas! I had no particular concept in mind while I was writing the songs but afterwards it struck me that the overall message was “one love”. This means that love begins with oneself. If you cannot love yourself, you cannot love anyone around you. I then asked myself who would best embody this concept? That is why I named it after Steve Biko, as this was his message. He stood for a level of equality where both parties are the same, whether it is on a personal level or a much greater level, and for a justice system where you can’t do me harm because there will be repercussions. We need to love and respect each other, and that starts with ourselves.’
In honour of Youth Month Simphiwe offers a few words of encouragement to all the youth of South Africa. ‘The youth don’t always realise it, but they have privileges that nobody else can have, whether younger or older. Only at a certain stage in life can you have the absolute freedom to be rebellious, to branch out, to explore. You can achieve so much. But while you’re being selfish you should be trying to realise your highest dreams. Go after your dreams – use that chance well.’