Album Review: Nakhane Toure - Brave Confusion

When I first heard about some of the people in my circles speaking about Nakhane Toure, I never really knew he was until I listened to his music…He is a man with a musical talent and definitely going place in the music scene.

As much as I don’t know him personally, I feel as if I already know basically by having listened to his album. I bought his album last week and I placed it on the trolley, after having packed all my goods in the car, I left the trolley with the CD inside and I immediately jumped into my car and drove off.  As I was about to exit the mall, I realised I left the CD in the trolley and I was contemplating whether to turn back or not and eventually, something within told me to turn back and I did. I found the CD in the same trolley as it was about to be taken away by the trolley guys.

As soon as I got it, it went it my CD player and it took me on a journey home. At first, I was a bit distracted, but after having listened to it all week, I fell in love with the album. I found it to be deep and spiritual with different elements ranging into it.

One of the things which I said to myself was ‘what a bold move this young lad has taken. He took a risk and it worked’. This 13 track album was mostly influenced by his influences in life has revealed his vocal abilities.

One of the things I admired about the artist was that even though he made references to religion on some of the songs, the musical journey in which he took his fans on was not in the form of gospel – but a style of his own.

Although growing up listening to Brenda Fassie and choral music which he said in his interview with Blaque  Magazine, the sounds to his album are nothing like choral music or Brenda Fassie  even though he did mention in Blaque magazine that one of the songs was actually inspired by Brenda.

This young lad definitely has a future with in the music industry. One who doesn’t understand his music would say this is one, brave confusion!

iFani - iingoma Ezimnandi (Official Music Video)

AKA - CONGRATULATE

One of my current jams at the moment...Love it!

Choosing the self

One of the things I ought to do this year was to taking care of the self – me. When it was the beginning of January, I had to think and act as to what I wanted to do with my life. Of course, one of the things was to be happy and make decisions that will make me happy. For such a long time, I have always pleased other people and make them happy at my expense and this year, I told myself that it won’t happen again.

Alas, it did. The cycle of making other people happy and allowing the self to take a backseat was surfacing again. The thing with me is that once you grip my emotional side, and allow me to empathize with you, you’ve got me! That’s all it took for others and that is what is currently being used against me. I hate it and I always get the end of the stick.

However, I have to re-think about my life and the happiness that other people thrive on at my expense except for my own good. I’ve had to work out a strategy which I hope I will use and here it goes:

Stand your ground:

At first, I didn’t know how to execute this but slowly I am learning to. At times, you will get a lot of people trying to blackmail you by saying you’re unfair, but ask them: Is it fair that you are willing to ignore your feeling and go against it? Trust me, this is not easy. I have had people saying ‘what I was doing was wrong and blah, blah, blah… believe, if they love you, they will love you enough to accept your decision.

Learn to say No:

Another thing I am struggling to execute even today. I haven’t yet mastered the art of saying no completely. (Although I can say NO to inappropriate things). As much as I try to, once someone pleads and they are on their knees I eventually give in. As I have said, we are talking all things appropriate.

Be strong:

I know some of you, like me, have a weaker heart. They struggle when they see others suffer and in order to make them better, give in to what they are asking and all will be fine. I know I struggle with this. I hate seeing people suffer. I’d rather be the one suffering that the other person.  It was like that for me but now I am planning to change that.

Pro-choice:

Allow yourself to make the decisions that you think are beneficial to you. Do not make decisions purely based on the fact that you might lose out at the end or people might judge you for your treacherous actions. Be true to the self as that will bring content and self-fulfilment. Choose the self first.

Book review of Bitch, Please! I'm Khanyi Mbau

Love her or loathe her, but Khanyi Mbau has always been the centre of media attention during her days as bad girl. In her tell-all book, she reveals about her life with her ex-husband – Mandla Mthembu and how she found comfort in Theunis Crous who is married to Primrose Crous.

The book titled: Bitch, Please! I’m Khanyi Mbau was written by the well-known entertainment journalist of the City Press, Lesley Mofokeng. In this book, Lesley described how she met the savvy Khanyi who was at that time 19 years old. He also described how the media followed this young woman and were intrigued by her drive and fearlessness.

Chronicling the life of the once media sought after diva, Lesley tells us when and how Khanyi was raised and how her mother opted for her to be born in a private hospital which would later define Mbau’s taste in life.

In addition, the books also details the lavish life the superstar lived and how her start to fame was when she was spotted by a talent scout while she was jumping for joy at what her mother had bought her when she was just 8 years old.

The book also describes the details of Mbau’s marriage to Mandla Mthembu who was twice her age. It describes how the perfectly imperfect union started to crumble, how Khanyi was severely abused and ended spending their money until their fat bank balance sapped.

He also tells how the sordid affair with Theunis Crous came about, with Primrose who happens to be Theunis’ wife thought her and Mbau were friends meanwhile they both slept with the same men.

However, the infamous Khanyi has vanished and is now known to be Mbau reloaded. Ever since the drama, she has embraced spiritual life and is enjoying a drama-free life.  She is Mbau reloaded.