Maskandi music legend, Bheki Ngcobo known as “Ihashi Elimhlophe”, is on a drive to help more artists enter the South African music scene.
Ngcobo has introduced nine young artists after months of scouting new talent in KwaZulu-Natal. They formed the Ihashi Movement and also launched a collaborative album at the BAT Centre in Durban.
Durban’s BAT Centre came alive with ululation and traditional dance as Maskandi fans welcomed new talent onto the music scene. The new artists were scouted and groomed by Ngcobo as part of a project to keep the music genre alive.
The Ihashi Movement Legacy Project was launched two years ago as part of his 40th anniversary in the local music industry. The artists come from different areas around the province including Nongoma, uLundi, eMpangeni and Umsinga.
Ngcobo also gifted them with brand new guitars to help kick-start their careers. He says teaching new artists how to manage their careers and finances is important because it is often a stumbling block for many artists.
“I don’t just work with them only, I do workshops with them where they are taught about money management and how to behave, because a lot of artists don’t know how to manage their finances,” says Ngcobo. He says it’s important for successful artists to give back to their communities.
Mphathiseni Mncube from eMpangeni and Simesihle Buthelezi known as Mbaz’encane from Nkandla say they are grateful to have received what they call “a once in a lifetime opportunity” to jumpstart their careers.
“I’m happy to have received such an opportunity. I’m excited that South Africa is finally going to hear our music. We’d like to plead with them to please buy our music and support us.”
“We’ve been creating music for a long time without receiving any success but Ihashi Elimhlophe took us to new heights and we’re prepared to soar.”
