His name is everywhere right now. If it's not his one-man show, it's his music or his appearance on Shaka Ilembe.
He's a busy man who's been working on a lot, including upcoming shows. He recently announced his venues, which include Mbombela, East London, Johannesburg and Pretoria.
Not only that, he's also been billed to join international musician Freddie Jackson when the star does his SA tour.
It's a lot for one man, but he loves it.
There's a saying that 'artists need to go through hardship' to release an amazing body of work.
Sjava is no exception. All his album mirrors what he has been going through in his life. He always writes about his struggles and musically tells his story in a relatable way.
From his first album Isina Muva to the latest, he always invites his fans into his life using music.
Sjava released his latest album early this year, Isibuko (The Mirror).
In the song Amavaka on the album, he tells the man in the mirror that he is the one ruining his life but with his strong belief in God and his ancestors, he will fight through the turmoil and always be courageous.
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“The inspiration behind the album Isibuko was self-reflection more than anything. It is music that makes you ask yourself questions, it is music that talks to you, it is like having self-conversation. That is why it is titled Isibuko, it was inspired by the conversation people with themselves in the mirror.”
The award-winning musician, real name Jabula Hadebe, speaks to Drum about his upcoming tour, Isibuko tour, being part of Shaka iLembe and the collaboration he worked on with the late South African rapper, AKA.
He says the tour will showcase his extensive discography, including popular hits from his previous albums such as Isina Muva, Umphako, Umqhele, Umsebenzi, and Isibuko. He says the Isibuko tour will be in East London in November, and other shows that he will be performing at are Carnival City and Imbizo and during the festive season, he will be performing at Mbombela Stadium.
“It's really exciting to take the one man show to a new audience this year. Mpumalanga has been a big supporter of my work over the last seven years and it’s a privilege to be able to bring the show to them.
“There are a lot of challenges when I perform Isibuko because it's sound, it is low-fi. So, I am still struggling a little bit when performing it live because of the way it was recorded, there is so much that goes into it. I will find my way, but it is completely different and more challenging performing songs from Isibuko than any other that I have done from Isina Muva and Umqhele. People need to be there to experience the tour with me.”
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The tour is not the only thing that has kept his followers excited, the Inhliziyo hitmaker also worked on the much-talked-about Mzansi Magic Show, uShaka iLembe.
He says he always worked with Bomb Production, and he says he is thrilled to be part of the production working alongside a stellar cast. He plays iNkosi YamaHlubi and he says the director saw a character that he can play.
The show recently ended its first season.
“Working on the show was a beautiful thing. It added so much to my growth because there was so much that I could learn on set and just from the series iLembe.”
On working with the late Congratulate hitmaker, AKA he says they’ve always wanted to work with each and waited for the right time.
“AKA always wanted us to work. When he was working on his latest album he had a camp, and he called me to come join them. I went to the camp and met up with him. Fortunately, that is the collaboration we did, and I think it did impact the industry because of the different languages we speak. I can’t say exactly which track was special or holds a significant meaning because they all talk about different things, so all of them are special in a different way.”
