For the first time, she performed with a 24-piece band and took ownership. Amapiano singer and multi-platinum selling artist Boohle, real name Buhlebevangeli Hlengiwe Manyathi, of Hamba Wena fame performed with jazz greats Kasivan Naidoo, Mthunzi Mvub, and trumpeter Siya Makhuzeni. She tells ZiMoja about the life-changing experience and remaking Boom Shaka's It's About Time.

HONOURING BOOM SHAKA

She is currently in the studio recording. "I want to release something for the festive season," she boasts adding that her new ambassadorship deal with an alcoholic brand includes her remaking one of her favourite songs from the past and Boom Shaka's It's About Time spoke to her soul. "I grew up listening to Boom Shaka, they inspired me a lot when I was young, and what better way to honour them than by doing a remake of their song," she says. "Sis' Thembi has been an icon for years and continues to do her thing, and it was only a pleasure for me to meet them, get their blessing, and still perform the song with a band."

A PROFESSIONAL

On performing with a big band at a gig recently, Boohle says this was something she never expected to happen so early in her career. "The adrenalin took over during this performance. I am usually not scared or nervous before a performance, but this one was special. I felt I was playing with real, qualified musicians and we all had a good time," she says. She didn't want her performance with the band to sound too jazzy. "I wanted to keep it groovy. There were no backtracks. I wanted to keep it as original as possible. The band captured every element of the song and played it live. I gelled with everyone like I had known them for a long time."

Boohle says performing with a band as an Amapiano vocalist helps to put the genre up there with other so-called serious genres. "This has dispelled some of the misconceptions about Amapiano; that it's a fly-by-night genre, that won't last and is frivolous," she says. "You know, sometimes people don't see its value and say it's not musical enough and it's just street music but what we did, put a little dignity to Amapiano, so it can be considered a musical genre and have its respect." She takes her craft seriously and she wants people to do the same. "I have a team, we are professional and we take this seriously. I've heard of how some Amapiano artists don't show up on time or attend events and interviews, but we are trying to dispel that, so we can be taken seriously," she concludes

Boohle and Thembi Seete embracing each other

LESSONS AND PLANS

Boohle is not fazed by fame and what it comes with. "I have learned to always keep my head down. It gets tricky, one can never have a big head. I try to always be one with the people and keep my circle small." Her main goal is to take her time and produce quality more than quantity. "I've learned to focus on my goals, no matter how slow or how long things take. I'd rather be the tortoise than the hare."