Johannesburg – Kuli Roberts catches up with Toya Delazy to talk about her new album, her cousin the new amaZulu king, and her grandfather, the former leader of the IFP.
The granddaughter of former IFP leader and MP Mangosuthu Buthelezi is no stranger to the local music scene, having released her debut album Due Drop in 2013.
The album, a fusion of jazz, electro, hip-hop and pop, featured the hugely popular song Pump It On.
With three studio albums under her belt, Toya Delazy is back with a new album and a brand new sound.
What’s so special about this album?
I created a new unapologetically African genre called Afrorave, which celebrates our indigenous languages through rave music, plus the album will be entirely in isiZulu, which is my mother tongue. It also features epic producers Joy Anonymous, Raf Riley and Mxshi, to name a few, best mastering engineers with Ross Finch and Sam Chadburn, and energy healing topics from mental health in the black community to us resurrecting and living in our truths.
What made you decide to be a musician?
It made me feel good. I have been playing piano from the age of nine, so I had a great foundation to continue studying in the field. I got paid for the first time and I realised I could live through it.
Your favourite song in the album and why?
Tini, it speaks about mental health in the black community. We can’t keep acting like we’re okay after everything that’s happened to us. After apartheid, we all should have gotten psychological, psychiatric or sangoma spiritual support to deal with the mess that segregation did to us. Our parents are traumatised, so are we. This song speaks about the journey to healing mentally.
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Who is your favourite musician, alive or dead?
Amy Winehouse forever.
Who is your role model? Anyone living their truth.
Who is your favourite author?
Voltaire. How do you unwind when you are not working? Playing PS5 games.
Can you introduce me to the new king and have you met?
Yes, he is my cousin. I haven’t seen him because of the lockdown and I am currently living in London, but I can’t wait to congratulate him … join me when it’s the coronation and I will do my best to introduce you.
What’s the funniest question you have been asked?
Who is the man in my lesbian relationship.
Will you ever have children?
Yes, many.
What sports do you play because you are fit?
Boxing and football.
What’s the worst thing you have been asked?
How did your mother die?
Do you see your granddad often?
Not really, but I do try my best each time I’m in the country.
Do you have a fun story about him?
Yeah, he is such a happy spirit; always making jokes. Honestly, he has a stellar sense of humour. When people kept talking about him saying he has ushukela [diabetes] he said: Bathi nginoshukela [they say I have sugar], when did they taste me.” He is hysterical.
So how did you commemorate June 16?
I unlocked a second single track titled Vuka and featuring Young Mbazo, who are the legacy and great-grandchildren of Ladysmith Black Mambazo.
This song is for the youth, encouraging the black child to wake up because no one is going to save us.
It means we are writing our own history and remembering how much work still has to be done.
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