Brenda Mtambo to celebrate 10 years of independence in style
Although singer/songwriter Brenda Mtambo has over 20 years of professional musical experience, the ten year mark that she will be celebrating is the mark of independence that she has achieved.
These years are a mark of resilience since she released her first independent album in 2013, Inspired, that began a journey of fulfilling her calling.
To celebrate, the songstress will stage “A Decade Experience” live at the Playhouse Theatre, who happens to be a partner, in Durban where she will live out all the phases of her life and musicality on stage, taking fans down memory lane. From her spirituality, culture, inspirations and the entire music journey.
Mtambo, who has cemented her name as a Afro-Soul music powerhouse said the importance of celebrating such a feat lies in the difficulties of being an independent artist, running the business, looking for opportunities all by yourself, while also celebrating all those who have believed in her craft all these years. The fans.
“I have a really loyal fanbase and I want to celebrate with them because they have really carried me to where I am now. I also hope to inspire other artists that it is possible to stay the course and do what you love to do. This would mean sometimes doing it without any support but that shouldn’t deter the dream,” she said.
Speaking to the rough path that lies ahead the independence road, Mtambo describes it as an uphill battle that she has thought of resigning from manier times.
“The industry has what we call ‘the majors’, those who run the industries and even as an independent artist you’d need to merge with a major to license me and so I can get known as an artist. If you are independent, you have no one representing you. In the boardroom, you wear the business hat as opposed to being an artist, you need to sell yourself, negotiate your own fees and seek out opportunities yourself. This alone is extremely hard, juggling making timeless music and also having to focus on business, raising money to record and so forth.
As a single mother, weighing her needs versus what her soul longed for has always pushed her to hustle more and make the music work.
“But because I know how to be poor and how to suffer, that made me curious as to how it would feel and look like to be independent financially and have all your dreams come true. I wanted to realise that part because I was already acquainted with the other side of struggle, now it was time to realise the opposite of it all. I wanted to see what happens when one doesn’t give up, something I was taught by my grandmother. The power of resilience and never giving up.
“I kept that within my mind that I don’t need money to achieve anything but I need myself first. That has kept me from succumbing to the temptations of looking for a 9-5 but staying the course” she said.
Mtambo will be staging a world-class production show with a 12 piece band that she promises will not only carry all the musical nuances that one looks forward to in a show but also a space that brings with it all the emotions. It promises to demonstrate the depth of her talents and growth over the years too.
“You will feel like you are being preached to, you will feel like you want to chant, you will feel like you want to cry because of all the efforts and elements that will be going into this spectacular night,” she said.
“More than anything, this is a huge achievement for me that I was able to get this far beyond all the trials and tribulations that I have encountered over the years. This is special to me in proving my strength. I hope everyone attending will get to realise their power and personal abilities to achieve anything they strive for,” she said joyously.
Tickets for ‘A Decade Experience’ with Brenda Mtambo are available now and can be purchased at Webtickets. Don’t miss this unforgettable night of spirit-filled and healing music.