LISTEN | ‘Amapiano helped me find my voice’ — Nkosazana Daughter reflects on her career

With more than 15 diamond plaques under her belt, having toured beyond the borders of Mzansi  and being one of the most sought-after female vocalists, Nkosazana Daughter says she owes her success to amapiano. 

She's always had a knack for art, doing poetry and pursuing fashion in the early days of her career but the music, she said, has been her true passion.

Her first foot into the door of the music industry was when she worked with DJ Prince Kaybee and Goldmax from Distruction Boyz musical duo. It was her Instagram live interaction with DJ Maphorisa and the late Mpura that catapulted her career.

"Music is the one thing that drove me crazy. It's always been there for as long as I remember. I never thought it would be amapiano, and I feel like that's where I actually found myself. It's all timing. I finally found something that vibes with my voice. I can say amapiano helped me find my voice," she told TshisaLIVE. 

"Some people just want to shine by themselves. Mpura was saying 'You guys better listen to this person', and that tells you what kind of person he was. He was just amazing."

Today, Nkosazana is the latest featured artist in the Africa Rising artist development programme and recently released her first body of work Uthingo Le Nkosazana.

Her 14-track debut album features Master KG, Kabza de Small, DJ Maphorisa, Chronical Deep, Tyler ICU, Major League DJz, Makhadzi, and Young Jonn, among others. 

As she grows from strength to strength, Nkosazana made headlines on some occasions and has fallen victim to public scrutiny, but she said her music will continue to be the focus despite naysayers. 

"I listen to people. It doesn't necessarily mean I have to do what people say. I am exploring myself, I'm only in my 20's, and I'm just having fun. I'm trying to learn what I like and what I don't like. Try new things. If you listen to what people say you won't know who you are, and I'm not here for the people, I live for myself.

"I try to keep my life private but it's not easy when you're here, in the type of position  we're in. When you're a celebrity, people want to know and it's not easy because eventually what you hide can't be hidden forever."