Afro-soul musician Keabetswe “KB” Motsilanyane has returned to reclaim her space in the South African music industry in celebration of her 20-year solo music career.
The celebration forms part of the 15th annual Mzansi Fela Festival at the South African State Theatre in Tshwane on December 4.
After taking a seven-year break from making music, the Taba Tsa Hao hitmaker says the reason she went on a gap was to figure out how she would embark on her second journey in the industry as her first phase was, as she describes it, “absolutely magical”.
She says the industry has changed drastically since she took a break, but is willing to adapt while also giving her old fans a taste of the offerings they enjoyed from her.
“Coming back, I find the [music] has evolved and there is a bigger market share for all of us to create entertainment concepts our audiences will enjoy. It feels good to be back, and I’m looking forward to celebrating with you.”
The muso started her singing career in 1996 as a back-up vocalist for kwaito group Crowded Crew.
She then launched her solo career with the South African Music Awards winning album titled Beautiful Vibrations in 2002, and her hit-album featured her groundbreaking hits including I Call It Love and Feeling You.
Her career highlights include sharing the stage with international artists, using music to uplift upcoming talent and performing the South African national anthem, Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika, at the first rugby test match post the Covid-19
lockdown, when South Africa faced Wales.
Motsilanyane says she continued writing music during her recess because she regards herself as an entertainer, although she is also renowned as an actress, something she pursued on various TV shows including, Backstage, where she proved she was a talented dancer, and leading roles on Rhythm City and now 7de Laan.
The singer says she is now working on an album on the heels of the next year March’s single Morwamotho and says some of the work will be inspired by the music she wrote while she took a break as she never stopped being a musician at heart.
“There is a new album in the pipeline. I have maintained the KB Mamosadi formula, which has Afro-Latin influence and R&B, but also allowed the fresh mind to contribute creatively to new the project.
“I believe our listeners, the lovers of our music, have become more open-minded and receptive to concepts that were tricky to sell previously.
“It empowers artists, providing them with a platform and freedom for vast creative expression,” she says.
At the 15th annual Mzansi Fela Festival, Motsilanyane will share the stage with Zonke, Tumi Mogorosi, Mbuso Khoza and Zakhele Mabena, among many others.
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