Ringo Madlingos returns to music with massive deal with Sony Music
The music legend will release new music in 2024
After a couple of years of being off the music industry, singer Ringo Madlingos is finally making his long-awaited return.
And to mark this auspicious comeback, the legend has signed a deal with Sony Music where all 13 of his albums will be released on streaming platforms today for the first time in 27 years.
This massive migration, he explained, was inspired by the need to move with the times and it happened to also coincided with his itch to make music again. An idea he had been toying around with for a while now.
The release of his consolidated catalogue will not only ensure a wider reach to old and new listeners but also ensure a lifetime access to his classic music that have played in the hearts of many South Africans, and Africans alike, for nearly three decades.
“I have been taking care of my own catalogue as an individual and it’s been hectic and tiresome for me to do all the admin while juggle all that is required on a personal life level. So when Sean Watson called me, and as someone whom I ‘ve worked with when I started my career at BMI, it was around the same time when I thought about handing over my catalog to someone. He made more sense for me and being with Sony made the move quite natural,” he said.
“I am excited beyond measure, it’s like I’m signing a new album. This is a new space for me, and as some who come from the times of cassettes, vinyl’s and CDs, I am excited that this gives access to many people who have been asking where they can get my music.”
Ringo is also working on new music that he plans to drop in the year 2024.
“I started music a long time ago. When I was in high school, I joined a group in Cape Town called iKwezi (which means the morning star) but unfortunately the band disbanded in just a few weeks. We then formed another one dubbed Peto. That time I was more into afro jazz and I was very political.
“So from my very first album, Vukani, I would sing about the ills of society, trials and tribulations of those who come from the township. The pains and pleasures of how we were living, until I was told to tone it down a little,” he said laughing.
“That I am just a youngster and that I should stop thinking like an old man,” which lead him to release the many love songs that he serenaded Mzansi for years.
But moving forward, he now wants to do music on a deeper level.
“I want to get real. I want to express myself the way I want to. If deeper means deeper love, then so be it. If it’s deeper emotions then that’s what it will be. It’s all about what I do best. I want to pour a lot of love, unity and selflessness into my music more. Our country needs more love than anything right now. I also realised that there are so many emerging younger artists that sing about various topics, but mostly it hinges on parties or about what one has or boast about being the best. Although there is nothing wrong there, I feel there is a lot of missed opportunities to speak about love, self love and unity. I want to bring that back,” he said.
His time away from music taught him a lot, especially during the Covid pandemic.
“I never thought the world would be locked out the way we were. It was very scary, with so much death around us. But I learnt to love myself more. I learnt to appreciate myself and others, to listen attentively and really live in the now.
“I want my music to reflect that, make us appreciative of the time we have been given while also creating healthy spaces to spread love,” he said.
Ringo Madlingozi released his debut album, Vukani, in 1996. That was followed by Sondelani(1997), Mamelani(1998), Into Yam’(1999) and Buyisa(2000) – five recordings that still represent one of the most original and resonant creative outpourings by a South African artist at the close of the last century. A slate of albums followed in the 2000s includingNtumba (2002), The Greatest Hits, Live at the South African State Theatre (2003), Baleka(2004), Ndim Lo (2006), The Coming of Dawn(2007), Rngo Madlingozi Live at the Playhouse (2007), Qhubeka(2008), Jayiva Sbali (2010), Vulani (2014) and Siyaxentsa (2016) plus, there is more new music in the works. All his work will be available to stream as of today.
“Ringo and I worked on so many amazing records together in the past. It’s going to be special reliving some of those moments again now that he’s joined us at Sony Music. I’m honoured that he chose to bring such a great collection of exceptional music to his new home at Sony” adds Sean Watson, Sony Music Africa’s Managing Director.
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