Here's an interesting snippet ahead of this weekend's Idols finale... former Idols finalist Sindi Nene's releasing a comeback album towards the end of the month. It's called Sindi and she's releasing it under Arthur Mafokate’s 999 label.
What's especially notable about it is what she has to say about the album's perspective. This from a release I've just received:
Sindi: "For the first time in years I’ve managed to create an album that reflects who I really am."
It confirms what I've always thought - that the majority of former Idols winners and finalists feel they have to be what the show's record label and their management team tell them they should be when they record an album after the show.
I know Season 7 runner-up Mark Haze definitely felt this because I saw him expressing a similar whoop of freedom on Facebook when he released an album a couple of years after Idols.
These are the deets on Sindi's album from the release:
Sindi started working with 999 Music in July 2017 and will release the full album of thirteen tracks on iTunes towards the end of November 2017, with the hardcopy to be released in early 2018.
Sindi rose to instant fame in 2010 as a contestant on M-Net’s reality talent search Idols, Season 6. A firm favourite of the judges with rave reviews for her vocal abilities, she made the Top 3 and landed a deal with Universal Music Records soon after. Sindi also signed under the Universal Music Publishing Group, releasing her debut album, INFINITE, under the same label.
This latest project is a Neo-Soul album produced by Wash Mahlangu, an in-house producer for record label, 999 Music, with Sindi as the author and composer of the work and Arthur Mafokate as the executive producer.
It has an eclectic mix of Soul, RnB, Pop, Hip hop and Jazz elements, fused with Sindi’s big voice, which has often been compared to the late musical legend, Brenda Fassie. Fans can expect to get to know Sindi in every track - lover, fighter, believer, sister, friend and feminist.
“Arthur showed so much passion, dedication and determination to see this album's production through; I was inspired by his work ethic every day and I've never had that with any record label,” says Sindi.
“For the first time in years I’ve managed to create an album that reflects who I really am. Vocally my tone is different, with just the right mix of colour and diversity to add a unique element to each track.
"It was often challenging to come up with the right lyrics and storylines, but I surprised myself with the ability to write and compose many original, authentic stories that could inspire, change, improve, or shine a light on issues in our country,” she adds.
Dedela, the first single from the album, is currently enjoying airplay on all major radio stations, with the music video rotating on MTV Base.
Every track on the album has a story to resonate with South African citizens; especially women. “Amalungelo” was inspired by the Bill of Rights in the Constitution, “Amandla” tells the story of female empowerment, “Ikhaya Lethu” talks about the abuse, trauma and dangers that young South African women have been facing recently, “Missing You” was inspired by her grandmother passing away, while the more light-hearted “Dedela” is about letting go and having fun with friends.