AFRO-SOUL singer Celiwe Khumalo is ready to rock the entertainment industry with her music, which she says is about spirituality.
The 40-year old from Diepkloof in Soweto, whose stage name is Chubby, told SunBuzz that she often received songs in her dreams.
“Music has been my first love since childhood, and that motivated me to pursue the dream further. I used to singing in the school choir, which opened a lot of opportunities for me, including singing in the KwaZulu-Natal Youth Choir. I also studied music at the University of KZN. She shared she preferred music that spoke to her soul.
“I started making music in high school, and it was the only thing that fulfilled me. My music is about restoring our dignity as black people, and it has an African rhythm,” said Chubby.
She said that she had been working with talented artists and producers all along.
“Solomon ‘Kinsoul’ Tsotetsi produced five songs in my EP titled Umenzi Wezinto. On Saje. I have two amapiano spiritual songs produced by Deejay Kafi, titled Amaphupho and Stimela, released last February,”she said.
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Chubby shared that she worked with award-winning poet and singer Ntsiki Mazwai on her single titled Stimela.
The leading song in her latest EP is Icala, featuring 2019 Latin Grammy award-winning Gianni Bardaro, who is also a saxophonist.
The musician said she would like to work with talented singers including Mondli Ngcobo as his music spoke to many people and restored our heritage.
“The first time I heard him singing, I was moved. He has so much soul, and his voice carries power.
“Even Ntokozo Mbambo is one of the artists I would like to work with,” she said.
Chubby is planning to release a gospel album titled Thethelela soon.
“On this project I worked with Kinsoul and Mbuso ‘Mb’, who are talented and inspirational,” said the singer, who is currently promoting Stimela.
“I have worked with DJ Nick Collen from Mozambique on his single, titled Hlomani, and with Snazzy Shikena on his, titled Mandela. I enjoy tapping into other spaces to grow my brand.”
The singer shared that more projects were in the pipeline with other influential DJs, but she would release details for her fans soon.
Her music is available on all digital platforms.
