Every musician has to start somewhere, and just like most award-winning musicians around the world, Busi Mahlaba also started in church. The spark of inspiration came from when she was part of a worshiping team at her local church back in Vrede in the Free State.
NOT AN EASY ROAD
Mahlaba who was born in Vrede and now based in Johannesburg, is not new to the music industry, she began her music career in 2004. "It has been a long bumpy road, but I have each and every moment of it as there were times where I wanted to quit but God came through for me and led me to where I am today. I am not where I want to be but with God is on my side I will get there. For now, I am enjoying spreading the word of God through music," she said.
FORMING A MUSIC BAND
Mahlaba said that in 2010 she started her own band called Busani Jazz Gospel Group where they released an album titled Ululamile. It was in 2012 where she decided to go solo and released an album titled Ngiyekeleni Ngimkhonze. In 2016 Mahlaba released her second solo Album titled Peace in Africa. The album won her the Best African Gospel Artist 2016 at the Ingoma awards. In 2021, she was nominated for two categories for Dibela Pitseng Music Award, Best female Artist and for Best sleeve for the same Album (Peace in Africa)
"For a long time, I have seen myself having my own music recording studios and rehearsal studios because I believe in being independent. Every gospel musician inspires me to grow. That is why I am not choosy when it comes to who is my favourite. "I don't have a specific artist that I listen to, but I prefer listening to different gospel artists and I enjoy their music. Rebecca Malope is one that influenced my music because whenever I listened to her music, I would feel the presence of the Lord and I grew up wanting to be like her and to preach the word of God," she added.
NEW RELEASE
Mahlaba recently released her latest single called Ka Wena Jeso. "It's a song where I declare that everything that is happening around me is because of Jesus. If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't be here. Jesus is the reason I am able to wake and continue to spread and preach the word of God," she said. Mahlaba further said: "Her family and music fans are her pillar of strength. They have supported me at my lowest. That is why I always say to up and coming artists that they have to support one another, and they shouldn't give up if they don't get enough support, they should keep on pushing and shouldn't be afraid to do music in their own way and they must also remember to put God first in every they do." She has shared the stage with the likes of Trica Selala, Lusanda Spiritual Group to mention the few.
