Rising star Imvemnyama speaks about his passion for storytelling

Jazz artist Imvemnyama is a force to be reckoned with in the music scene.

Imvemnyama, real name Sive Mqikela, hails from Komani in the Eastern Cape. He conceptualises his music under the name Imvemnyama – a black singing sheep making a sound that is a blend of all the things that occur in the dead of night while people are asleep and of the things they may see but not notice.

Speaking to TshisaLIVE, Imvemnyana says nobody wants a black sheep. There are not enough of them to produce substantial wool for sale in the market. Nor does anyone slaughter black sheep for meat lest they be accused of witchcraft by the community.

Imvemnyana has recorded two singles - Sawa Street and You’re not who you think are, which features poet Makhafula Vilakazi. He plans to release the singles this month.

“My songs convey a story and lay bare the truth about the nature of the world as we know it. My favourite musicians and whom I’d love to work with are those who are as much invested in the songwriting and in the music. Locally that would be Zolani Mahola of Freshly Ground. Big shout-out to her for writing Nomvula which I consider to be among the most well-written South African songs),” he added.