Fame, Family & Fatherhood: The Evolution of Singer and Storyteller Mlindo the Vocalist
The spirit of his Sjava-assisted heart-wrenching hustler’s anthem, “Egoli”, has fuelled afropop singer-songwriter Lindokuhle Mgedezi’s momentum through the years as the one and only beloved storyteller Mlindo the Vocalist. With his forthcoming studio album, Uhambo, The Journey, due for release on 18 July 2025 – three years since his sophomore named after his real name – the singer’s road has been one paved with the shine of awards and flanked by loyal fans who have been tuning in since his big break in 2018. Much has happened between the years leading up to the inevitable thirties, from new music to becoming a father, and Mlindo was candid about it all.
Mlindo first looked back at his roots in Port Shepstone and credited his upbringing as umjitha wasemakhaya for how well he handled the pressures of fame. He also factored in his rapid rise in 2018 expedited by his breakthrough single “amaBlesser”, followed by the mainstream and critical success of his debut album, Emakhaya, in the same year.
“One of the things that helps is not forgetting who you are and where you come from. That plays a crucial role in the development of a person because the more you travel, the more you get exposed to things. It becomes very easy for you to get lost because of the lights and everything. For me, being a person from emakhaya has really helped me a lot in staying grounded and in remembering all the things that truly matter, like family, friends, and just being at home. So, staying in touch with Port Shepstone and where I come from really helped me a lot in navigating trends and changes and to not lose myself in things that come and go,” Mlindo said.
Mlindo the Vocalist | photo by ok_majozi
With the “Amacala” hitmaker turning over the leaf in October to begin his foray into the thirties, the singer-songwriter spoke about the life changes and him becoming a dad as well as maturing into a home-oriented man. The melancholic crooner touched on the delicate balancing act of catering to Mlindo the Vocalist’s career and needs without neglecting what it meant to be Lindokuhle the father and family man.
“A lot has changed in the years and there are more responsibilities now. I became a father, so playtime’s over for me. No more going to clubs for no reason, and if I ever go to them, it’s either for work or to promote something. It’s no longer just for fun. I have to take care of my family and the young one. As a person, you need to handle yourself better as you get older and also knowing that there are certain energies you need to stay away from,” he said.
As peppermint crisp tart is to the Mzansi cuisine world, the combo of Mlindo the Vocalist and amapiano stalwart DJ Maphorisa is one that has, for years, served impressive music about authentically South African themes, relatable characters, and local stories that hang onto the earlobe tighter and longer than any piercing ever could. Mlindo spoke about Madumane, taking it all the way back to when he first sowed his faith into Mlindo in 2018.
“Phori is the one who invested in the whole Mlindo brand since 2018, and we’ve been close ever since. Even when it’s not that loud on social media, he’s the one to pick up the phone to check up on me and to also remind me to not forget to go to the studio. He has always made sure that I don’t get too relaxed in my comfort corner in afropop. There are times when he challenges the way I write songs so that I can come up with different styles for different beats that can be used for other people, so he also got me into songwriting for other artists. He has kept me on my feet for the longest time, so shout out to him,” he said.
Mlindo the Vocalist | photo by ok_majozi
Mlindo conceded that growth has mellowed him, admitting that he has grown into a homebody who divides his time between his staying indoors and hitting the studio to work with his colleagues.
“What can I say? Mlindo has grown quite a lot, and he’s no longer the young kid who was everywhere and trending for all the wrong reasons and attracting drama. A lot has changed to the point of me just enjoying being at home. Really, if I ever leave the house, I’m probably going to the studio to link up with Blaq Diamond, Mas Musiq, Mnqobi Yazo, or anyone that I work with. I’m more in touch with things at home – I even attend im’cimbi now. It’s rough,” he said.
With his new album well on the way, a much-anticipated return to music, the “Usbahle” singer – although averse to being outside – promised that he’d show more of his face and that he has been actively working on doing more shows, and even branching out into the realm of theatre.
“One thing people don’t know about me is that I’m a very shy person, and it just so happens that the nature of my job requires me to open up and be out there. I’ll be more alive on social media about my real life and we’re also touring and doing shows. In fact, later this year, I’ll be doing my homecoming at Port Shepstone. So, there’s going to be a lot of motion and promotion this year. I’ve also been thinking of embarking on the Emakhaya tour, so we are thinking of getting theatres around Joburg as a starting point. My own shows without really waiting for bookings. People can expect to see me more because I’m eager to perform the new songs dropping with the album,” he said.
Mlindo the Vocalist | photo by ok_majozi
Mlindo closed off the conversation by envisioning himself in the years to come as a present father and family man as well as an impactful grootman to burgeoning artists in the same way that DJ Maphorisa was to him during his younger years.
“One of the things I’d love to do the most is to invest more in upcoming artists because I didn’t get here and didn’t come this far on my own and by my own intelligence. I had a lot of help. So, I’d like to have a hand in the careers of those still coming up and to mentor them the same way I was helped and to coach them to not make the same mistakes I made when I first got famous. I would also like to be a present family member and an active father,” he said.