King Wanda Launches Music Career After His Time In the Big Brother Bazozwa House
For rising musician and former Big Brother Mzansi S6 contestant King Wanda, the Bazozwa edition was a once-in-a-lifetime shooting star to wish upon and also one to ride on to finally make it to where the rest of the stars of South Africa shine. A Top 10 housemate and one of the clear fan-favourites who made it that far, the KZN-born artist’s path to the top might have begun before stepping into house, but his time in BBMzansi has without a doubt expedited his ascent.
Aware of the impact Big Brother Mzansi has in culturing the stars, influencers, and public figures of renown, King Wanda talked about why he entered the contest, citing his journey as a musician as a primary motivation as well as the opportunity to cultivate a fanbase.
“I’m a musician by nature, and I’ve been an up-and-coming artist since I started making music from the age of 15, and also knocking on different doors. I’ve explored multiple avenues and have even gone to Idols SA, submitted demos and singles, but things just didn’t seem to go my way. Still, the dream lived and I continued knocking on every single door till I got to Big Brother, which we could argue is one of Mzansi’s biggest doors. All I ever wanted was to get a platform where I’d be able to have and grow a following of people who will be interested in who I am and what I have to offer,” he said.
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Wanda spoke about the persona he portrayed while in the house.
“I just know my friends and the people who have always known me were laughing the entire time while watching me on the show because the person people saw on the show was King Wanda in real life. I changed nothing about myself just to play the game. What I will comment on now that I’m outside is that things don’t really look the same outside the house as they do when you are inside, but that doesn’t mean I was anyone different. When it was time to laugh, I laughed. When it was time to drink, I drank. When it was time to dance, I danced,” he said.
Wanda commented on self-belief and how having to consistently show up sculpted him into a person who not only puts his best foot forward but also shelves any thoughts of second-guessing himself.
“I’m someone who has a lot of self-doubt, and that’s something you can’t have in the house. Being in there taught me how to get out of that. Doubts have no room when there’s a cheque before you written R10 000. To get those prizes, you have to believe in yourself and do whatever challenges are needed. If there are Wagers, you got to do them to the best of your ability. You have to stand up and nominate people and take being nominated without feeling discouraged. Being in Biggie’s house, for me, was like going to rehab because I feel like I came out stronger than who I was going in,” he said.
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Wanda reflected on the spats he had with other housemates as well as valuing peace-keeping.
“What I loved about every altercation we had as housemates is that we always sat down after that. From Que and Thandeka to Tumi the Barber and Dene Jones, basically everyone I once had a fall out with, we always took some time the next day to just unpack everything that happened and to exchange apologies if that was needed. I’m a person who likes peace and I don’t like things ending bitterly. I’m a person who likes to walk away, and being in the show taught me the importance of facing things head-on. We a lot of fights in the house so there had to be a way to find a resolution in each case because we had to live together for God knows how long. Fights normally ended in peace, luckily, and at the end of the day, we served good television,” he said.
Wanda shared what he would miss the most about being a housemate.
“I will miss the Wager challenges. Monday ones were tricky because of the HoH challenges only for you to nominate each other later on. I was always excited for Wager briefs because I’m an artistic person and I appreciate any chance to express those elements of who I am, so I really enjoyed that part of the journey. From getting costumes and getting into character to writing plays and directing stories, it was a fun thing. I will also miss the pool, which I think was my place, and also because where I stay it costs R50 to get into it—and it was free in there. Christmas doesn’t come around all the time like that,” he said.
Wanda circled back to his passion for music and promised new releases by the end of April, as well as visuals to go with the drop.
“It’s music on music from now on. I’ve built a platform on Big Brother Mzansi and people know me. Now I need people to forget King Wanda the housemate and start warming up to King Wanda the musician. A single is on the way by the end of April, and I wanted to drop the music video alongside it just to make the most out of the resources and finances that go into those things. Definitely, music is on the way, and acting if the doors open,” he said.
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King Wanda expressed thankfulness to the audience and those who rallied behind him and pushed his campaign in the Bazozwa house.
“I have nothing but appreciation for the journey. I have no words. I honestly didn’t see myself making it in the Top 10, but the obviously people saw more in me than I did. I even saw people say that they saw me making it to the Top 5 while other commented that my associations with certain housemates jeopardised my run, but it’s fine. I have nothing but gratitude for people who believed in me, people who came out and campaigned for my cause and to vote for me, even during times when I didn’t believe in myself. I take nothing for granted, and I am so humbled. I hope my fans enjoy my music when I put it out,” he said.