If she had to be cornered to choose between acting and music, Blood & Water lead actress, Khosi Ngema would definitely choose music above it all. After years of exploring behind the scenes, Khosi is now pursuing music and has released the single, Why.

WHAT'S IN A NAME?

Like other prominent stars who have alter egos when they are on stage, Beyonce - Shasha Fierce, Nicky Minaj - Onika, Eminem - Slim Shady, Khosi's alter ego or stage name is Kho"si. "I just liked how the spelling of Kho"si looked, compared to just Khosi," she giggles. "But also, when I was trying to come up with a stage name, Khosi was the one that got stuck with me. I am Nomkhosi, Khosi in short. But adding the apostrophe separates Khosi the actress and Kho"si the musician. Using my name was me paying homage to my grandmother, whom I was named after. So, it felt right to keep my stage name with a little twist."

HER VIBE

Her sound is soothing but upbeat. "I am experimenting with different styles and genres currently but there's an emotional, soulful, vulnerable sensitivity," she says, adding, "The song, Why, is an upbeat dance song but also a vulnerable track." But with her love for music and acting, Khosi says she chooses music as it allows her to be expressive. "Music wins, it's more personal. It's my voice and being able to express myself through producing and composing is the most exhilarating feeling."

 PLEASANT MEMORIES

She was introduced to the limelight through acting but has always wanted to make music. She adds that her earliest childhood memories have always been inclined to music and she grew up around musicians and actors. Her father, Mangaliso Ngema, is a seasoned actor. "I started writing music at 15 years old and it has always been my first love," she says. "My grandmother raised me for a bit, she was a musician - Patience Africa and she loved music, so I was exposed to Tracy Chapman, Joan Armatrading, Enya, Stimela, and Michael Jackson. I remember being obsessed with Michael Jackson and emulating him, knowing I wanted to be a performer."

Actor Mangaliso Ngema is Khosi's father

LEARNING MUSIC

She played instruments from a young age. "I learned guitar and piano and I knew that I wanted to make music to release. I started producing my own music in 2020 and since then, I have had the itch to release it," she says. "My family has also been encouraging me to put out music, but there has always been some hesitation and feeling like I'm not ready. But I feel now is the perfect time and I am finding my voice. I now know what I want to do and tackle this journey." She adds that she has a lot of music that she has been working on and will release a project soon. I would love to work with Shekinah, Mlindo, Ami Faku, Black Coffee, and globally Drake - that would be interesting and Sabrina Claudio for her writing. But I am also inspired by my peers."