Kabomo comes out of retirement with new album Passion Fruit
Although singer/songwriter Kabomo had planned his official retirement from the music industry, the coercion from fans for a new album prompted him to record – giving us his latest offering Passion Fruit.
The multitalented muso said the 12 track album was born from the many inquiries about his next project. He recorded this at his own pace, without any record label pressures of release dates or conforming to what is considered hip and happening at this time – thus producing a project that speaks true to himself.
The album is a reflection of life.
“Over and above passion fruit being my favourite flavour when it comes to food items (but not so much when it comes to the fruit itself lol) I love the double entendre that can be read as music being the food of my passion. I like to think that I live a passionate life and that passion drives me to keep producing work. This album is an extension of that passion that I receive from the people,” he said.
Real name Kabomo Vilakazi, the 44 year old said when he started off his career 10 years ago, he was assured by many people that his music journey would only last a year at most because of his chosen genre that is neo-soul/r&b.
“In a country that loves dance music like ours, I was pretty much assured by everyone that my ‘brave’ decision wouldn’t see me past a month, but God has been so good that I have managed to cultivate a 10 year long career. I won awards, got to see parts of the world and meet some of my heroes.”
But there came a point where he felt he was done.
“Looking at how far I had come, regardless of the naysayers, I felt very fulfilled. I felt I had done my job, I was done and (although) I didn’t want to make an announcement that I had retired, in my mind I had retired.
“But the last two years, I have had this overwhelming love from people. Wherever I would go, people would ask about making music. And would genuinely be disappointed when I said I was done.
“And because there was someone out there who still had an appetite for what I do, that inspired me to want to make music again,” he said.
Kabomo collaborated with artists such as his friend Kuli Chana, dance queen Nokwazi, Zano, Russel Zume, Nia Pearl and Landrose.
“Usually I produce my own albums and will have one or two people help me but with this one, I worked with different producers. I tried out different things, different sounds that I wouldn’t ordinarily do. I just allowed myself to be open minded and to learn from young people without the pressure of being relevant or cool or marketable,” he said.
Although he does not confirm if he is entirely back within the industry, “I don’t know what that entirely means because I don’t know where I fit within the industry much,” he is very much invested in this current project.
And regardless of South Africa being a dance country, Kabomo believes there is still a market of people who enjoy soul music – and that is where his success and longevity came from.
And although he can’t choose one favourite over the other, the songs on Passion Fruit all carry different motivations, with a tribute song to the late Jabu Khanyile – remaking one of his hits Mmalo We.
“I have a studio in my house, so the process of making the album was easy (due to access). I would record at different times of the day, for however long I deemed necessary. And the inspirations vary from different life experiences, like a heartbreak I once suffered a few years back. I just wanted to tell stories, reflect and have fun,” he said.
Kabomo is also a prolific actor, having been featured on various local productions and now has two Netflix titles under his name. Acting is where most of his focus is channeled now.
Kabomo is also working on a collaboration project with producer George Lesley, that will be released at the end of February/beginning of March.
“What I like about acting is that there is always room for a 30 year old or a 40 etc. So I plan to continue within this industry, hoping to do more acting work. I am writing scripts and I want to see if people are willing to read my work and make movies and series out of them. On the music side, I am still going to promote my album, including the collaboration I am doing with George Lesly. I hope to perform within various other parts of the continent that I have never been to,” he said.
Stream Kabomo’s new album on different music platforms.