Ndivhudzannyi Ralivhona, known as Makhadzi, took the music industry by storm last year when she dropped a single track titled Matorokisi which quickly became a hit.
A year later, the bubbly 24-year-old Limpopo-born artist has released her latest album titled Kokovha which features some well-known names in the industry, among them Sho Madjozi, Mampintsha, Mr Brown, Jah Prayzah and Master KG.
Makhadzi says she started working on the album in April and during one very productive week, recorded 10 songs.
When she writes, she said, she draws inspiration from her personal life experiences and what is happening around the country.
“I wrote the songs from my heart. I believe this is one of the best musical projects that I have ever worked on.
“Fans must expect to dance from track number one to the last song because we have been on lockdown and the only thing people want is to dance and good music, so I am giving them the album to dance and have fun.
“The Matorokisi song is my big break in this industry and has cemented my name,” she said.
Talking about her musical journey, she told Vukani she started as a dancer and at the age of 13 she released her first traditional album in 2010 titled Muvhango.
She has subsequently released another nine traditional albums. But four years ago she decided to start making house music and started collaborating with other local artists in Limpopo – which is how she met Master KG, the man behind the global hit Jerusalema.
She said traditional music was limiting her and “it was not easy for other people from other cultures to listen to my music”. House music, she said, enabled her to reach a wider audience – and even if you don’t understand her lyrical content, you would connect with the rhythm.
“I was (among) the first people to sing in front of stores in my home town, promoting my traditional then. And people thought I was crazy and I should be going to school or something.”
Her album is available on all digital platforms.
