TikTok sensation S.eemah releases new single “INDUSTRY” under Sony Music
TikTok sensation S.eemah, who sits with over 1.5 million followers, makes a grand entrance into the music scene as she officially releases her first solo single titled Industry.
The 21-year-old, who has flirted with music in the last year – featuring in two other songs, hopes to carve an actual career especially since music is something she admits to really enjoying.
“The song speaks about how hard it is to be in the industry. You are literally alone and that if you don’t have connections, it’s chai (over) for you. I wanted to make people aware, through a fun way of music, that this industry is not as easy as it is perceived as,” she said.
When the Cape Town born content creator joined the video creation platform in 2020, her hope was just to have fun and fill up the time that Covid restrictions came with. Her account was banned the following year March and prompted her to start another in April 2021. And in just almost two years, she has cemented her place within the content creation space of Mzansi, sharing that stepping into this role was not as difficult.
But before content creation, she had gone to audition for the Idols SA but was rejected all three times. The release of Industry comes as a full circle moment for her. The beginning of a dream she never really entertained.
But as time moved and with this industry growing, she started seeing opportunities.
“My first few videos didn’t blow up until this one specific one of a skit that gained me so many views. 500 000 views to be exact. I realised that this is the type of content that I should stick to,” she said.
Real name, Sima Mangolwane, the youngster is currently completing her studies in Public Management and although her career is not fashioned differently due to the social media exposure – having an education is still really important for her.
“I am excited about this part of my life. It feels right and I am excited to be exploring this side of my talents. I want to see what music can do for me, especially seeing that a lot of people are enjoying this side of me outside of the skits. This new journey has been received pretty well and I am just excited,” she said.
S.eemah’s large following has also exposed her to varying comments, some negative that she takes and turns into content.
“I found that laughing about it can really save me from taking things personal. So I take the comments and turn them into jokes. If someone says I have a big nose, I’ll make a skit out of it. That is how I was able to come up with this concept for a song. Take this heavy reality of the industry and turn it into a song,” she said.
Commenting from Sony Music about S.eemah joining the stable, Gavin Gutu , who heads up the South African roster at Sony Music, said: “We’re excited to have Seemah join the Sony Music family this early on in her music journey. She’s a talented, modern recording artist who built an audience using her own creativity. That’s a strength that goes a long way in a highly competitive space.”