Asanda Lusaseni Mvana(born 31 December 1988) known professionally as Msaki, is a South African composer, singer, and songwriter. Born and grew up in

East London East or Orient is one of the four cardinal directions or points of the compass. It is the opposite direction from west and is the direction from which the Sun rises on the Earth. Etymology As in other languages, the word is formed from the fa ...

, during her childhood she was involved in musical activities. Her career in music began in 2008, at the age of 20, when she was a member of alternative rock band while attending college. Her debut Extended Play ''Nal'ithemba'' (2013) and debut solo studio album ''Zaneliza: How The Water Moves'' (2016), which was nominated for Best Adult Contemporary Album.

Early life

Asanda Lusaseni Mvana was born in East London, Eastern Cape in 1988. Her father was a DJ and grandmother was a music composer. She attended Cathcart High School and

Nelson Mandela University Nelson Mandela University (formerly known as ''Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU)'' ) and before that - the University of Port Elizabeth (UPE), the Port Elizabeth Technikon and Vista University's Port Elizabeth campus. This South Af ...

before dropping out after one year. Mvana attended

Rhodes University Rhodes University is a public university, public research university located in Makhanda, Eastern Cape, Makhanda (Grahamstown) in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. It is one of four universities in the province. Established in 1904, ...

and obtained

Master of Fine Arts A Master of Fine Arts (MFA or M.F.A.) is a terminal degree in fine arts, including visual arts, creative writing, graphic design, photography, filmmaking, dance, theatre, other performing arts and in some cases, theatre management or arts a ...

degree. In 2008, she Joined The Patience alternative rock group based in East London and electro-experimental band Johnny Cradle based in Cape town. Following year in 2009, she was guitarist and lead vocalist for Kate and I duo formed in Grahamstown. In 2012, Msaki attended music school in North Carolina in the USA.

Career

She established her own record label, One Shushu Day Artistry and released her debut Extended Play ''Nal'ithemba'', in 2013 produced by Cobus Van Dyk. In 2016, she won ovation at 7th Standard Bank Ovation Awards and Gold Award First Place at Cape Town Fringe. Her single "Imfama Ziyabona" released in 2016, debuted on

Metro FM Metro FM is a national radio station in South Africa owned by the South African Broadcasting Corporation. The station broadcasts on FM Stereo as well as the DStv Bouquet Channel 801. Telephone : History The station started broadcasting in ...

Charts for 19 consecutive weeks. In June 2017, her debut album ''Zaneliza: How The Water Moves'' was released in South Africa. The album was co-produced by Nduduzo Makhathini. To further promote her album she performed at National Art Festival. At the 23rd ceremony of

South African Music Awards The South African Music Awards (often simply the SAMAs) are the Recording Industry of South Africa's music industry awards, established in 1995. The ceremony is held annually, usually in late April or May, with the judging process starting in N ...

''Zaneliza: How The Water Moves'' was nominated for Best Adult Contemporary Album. Msaki teamed up with South African DJ Prince Kaybee on a song titled "Fetch Your Life", which was released on February 8, 2019. The song debuted number one on iTunes Dance charts. In November 2019, her single "Pearls To Swine" featuring TRESOR and Kid X was released, bagged nomination for Best Produced Video. She co-written "Undithatha Kancinci" single by Kelly Khumalo. In October 22, Msaki released double single of "Fetch Your Life II" and "Mntakababa" featuring Kabza De Small and

Focalistic Lethabo Sebetso (born 26 May 1996), professionally known as Focalistic, is a South African rapper. Born and raised in Pretoria, Sebetso was a footballer prior pursuing a music career as a rapper, released his debut studio album ''Sgubhu Ses Exc ...

. That same month she made a collaboration on platoon compilation album ''African Lullabies Pt. 1''. In November 19, her double project '' Platinumb Heart'', was released. In December 2021, Msaki headlined to 14th Annual Mzansi Fela Festival along with Amanda Black, Zoë Modiga, and Mandisi Dyantyisa was held in State Theatre, Guateng. In January 2022, Msaki collaborated on a song "Own The Future" with Goodluck, Shekhinah, and YoungstaCPT. She also received a nomination for Female Vocalist of the Year at Global Music Awards Africa 2022. In early February, she was featured on Home Session by Apple Music. In February 6, Msaki unveiled six pieces of her artwork titled ''Platinumb Heart of Love In Protest'' and performed at Nirox Sculpture park to promote her double album.

Television

In early November 2021, she made her screen debut as guest judge on ''

Idols South Africa ''Idols'' is a television show on the South African television network Mzansi Magic, and previously on M-Net, based on the popular British show '' Pop Idol''. The show is a contest to determine the best young singer in South Africa. The gene ...

'' season 17.

Discography

Studio albums

* ''Nal'ithemba'' (2013) * ''Zaneliza: How The Water Moves'' (2016) * '' Platinumb Heart'' (2021)

As featured artist

Achievements

Basadi in Music Awards

! , - , 2022 , Herself , Songwriter of the Year , ,

South African Music Awards

! , - , rowspan="5", 2022 , "No Rainbow" featuring

Da Capo Da capo (, also , ) is an Italian musical term that means "from the beginning" (literally, "from the head"). It is often abbreviated as D.C. The term is a directive to repeat the previous part of music, often used to save space, and thus is a ...

, Best Collaboration , , rowspan="4", , - , Herself , SAMPRA Artist of the Year , , - , rowspan="3", ''Platinumb Heart Open'' , Female Artist of the Year , , - , Best Produced Album of the Year , , - , Best Adult Contemporary Album , ,

References

{{Reflist Living people 1988 births People from the Eastern Cape Rhodes University alumni 21st-century South African women singers 21st-century guitarists Xhosa people South African women record producers South African songwriters 21st-century women guitarists