Glamour Exclusive: Q&A with Simphiwe Dana

Award-winning singer-songwriter Simphiwe Dana is a South African icon who’s given us anthems such as ‘Ndiredi’ and ‘Zandisile’, which we’ll enjoy for many years. Her voice is raw yet soothing, but her lyrics evoke emotion on a social, political, spiritual and romantic level.

Her live performances are masterpieces of performance-art-meets-fashion, which she delivers meticulously. It’s been two years since Simphiwe Dana’s last album, Bamako, and we’ve missed her. This month, she releases her most-anticipated album yet, MOYA. In this Glamour exclusive, she shares with us what to expect from the album and talks about life in general.

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A snapshot of our October cover story featuring Msaki

“MOYA is a collaboration of my new and old work. My most recent tracks are reminiscent of the raw acapella songs that got me signed to Gallo Record Company years ago when the only instrument I had was my voice. It was surprising, as I had no intention of producing anything new. I guess we process grief differently. The running theme of the work seems to centre around a yearning for and yielding to a higher power, an exercise that brings comfort and hope.”

Describe your typical songwriting process.

Simphiwe Dana: Music, to me, comes in melodies. My job is to decode the emotion and the message the melody is communicating. It’s a very humbling process.

You’ve been quiet on social media and we miss your strong opinions. Is there a reason?

I’m at a stage of learning right now, a stage of my life that requires quiet, so I can listen. I believe I’m transitioning to a different phase of life where my priorities have shifted.

What inspires your creativity?

Honestly, I just live my life. I’m grateful to live doing what I believe changes lives, no matter how small. I get to live off my thoughts and feelings, observations of myself and humanity as a whole. So, what inspires me is the human condition.

What message, if any, do you try to put into your body of work?

That maintaining our humanity requires us to have empathy for ourselves and others.

Do you ever find yourself unable to express your creativity to the fullest?

I find that I can’t switch on my creativity at will. This is why I mostly stay away from collaborations. The pressure is too much. I’m too self-conscious to do my best in such situations. I create comfortably when I’m alone.

How do you balance your music with other obligations, such as relationships, friends, children and art?

I’m still learning. I inject love into every moment in which I’m present. I hope that’ll prove to be enough.

How important do you think music publishing is to emerging artists?

It should be important for any writer and composer of music. In South Africa’s music industry, we have a working legal framework for that. You need to understand it to make well-informed and fair decisions.

If you could change anything about the industry, what would it be?

First and foremost, radio and TV airplay. We won’t grow to our potential without home-ground advantage. We need to understand how branding works. Local artists needn’t leave South Africa to make it. They shouldn’t have to make us proud elsewhere.

Artists need their countries’ support to carry the flag anywhere. Therefore, we need to update our airplay framework to favour and empower local artists.

What social issues are you passionate about?

Right now, what gives me sleepless nights is safety. It feels like we live in an open zoo, where we could fall prey to predators.

Do you have any advice for aspiring songwriters?

Don’t fall for trends. Write the rhythms and melodies in your heart. They’re there for a reason.

This article originally appeared in our October 2022 issue. Grab your digital copy here.

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