She is not a new face in the industry. In fact, she has spent years perfecting her craft.
Hip-hop artist Faith Khensani Mashaba (25), popularly known as Faith K, is releasing new music and she's excited to share her new sound with her fans and new listeners.
Her latest offering Nangena speaks about her journey during the pandemic in an inspirational way that she hopes people will relate to. She features big hip-hop artists such as Gigi Lamayne, Zingah and Money Badoo.
“Now that the project is out, I’m excited to push the music so people can hear what I have been working on. I have evolved as an artist, and it was great working with the artists I feature because I have always wanted to work with them.”
She's done two albums and has released many singles and she says that this project will show how she has grown in the industry.
“I am hoping that people get to see that they can work with anyone regardless of who they are. I have infused Rnb and hip-hop so that people have slow and fast beat songs. I named the album Nangena because I am coming in, I have been holding back for too long and I’m no longer asking for permission it's either people listen, or they don’t.”
She feels that it is important for female artists to support each other within the industry so they can break the barriers that have been created in the male dominated industry.
“We have to get rid of the stigma that the industry is male dominated. It would be an injustice if we don’t break down the walls that have been built against female artists even for the ones coming after us.”
The entertainment industry is currently mourning the death of artist and pioneer Riky Rick who died on Wednesday 23 February. Social media has been filled with talks of mental health and how artists need to taken care of.
Read more | Getting to know hip hop artist Faith K – 'I am going to be giving people great music'
Faith recalls the first time she met Riky Rick as an upcoming artist and how he encouraged her not to hide herself behind caps but to rather be bold so that people could recognise her. She says she’ll always be grateful for his words of encouragement.
“I always used to wear caps and I have always hid my face. One day he saw me at a club, and he said I shouldn’t wear caps and I should allow people to see my face. That was the last day I wore a cap and now I want to make sure I stand out. He put me on the line up for the Cotton Fest and that was one of the best things he has ever done for me. He’s done a lot for the industry and his death is a huge loss.”
She feels that mental health is something that should be prioritised in South Africa, especially amongst artists.
“South African artists are not taken care of; we haven’t been taken care of since the pandemic hit. South Africa doesn’t care about artists, and I don’t think people care about mental health. It takes someone’s downfall or someone big to make us realise that we are not taking care of each other. If artists are not taken care of mentally, how are we supposed to take care of other people.”
She hopes this will change. Meanwhile, Faith is excited to perform and to work with other artists. She wants to travel all over South Africa.
“I have evolved as an artist, I went from not being sure to being certain about what I want to do. I feel that my work is being noted, maybe not the way I want to be noted, but I am still growing and I look forward to growing even more.”
