Controversial musician Mavusana “Odameesta” Ngwenya has finally decided to end his six-year hiatus.
The kwaito artist, who succumbed to drug addiction soon after shooting to fame in the 90's, is hoping to rekindle his career with a ten-track house album set for release in March. He has teamed up with some of the country’s finest music makers and has already started promoting the disk.
He says the album, tentatively entitled My Resurrection, will introduce fans to a new Mavusana.
“The reason why I have been quiet for so long is that I wanted to take time to find myself. I really needed the break because I made a lot of bad choices and I couldn’t face my fans anymore. But now I am a changed man, I am now clean and nothing can stop me.”
The deep-voiced musician says he will never do drugs again and will only associate himself with the “right musicians”.
“I want to assure my fans that I will never disappoint them again. I regret everything that I did in those days when I had money. I have learnt a lesson: I lost my wife, I lost my house and my fans and this is the only opportunity I have to build my career again,” he says.
The musician, who once became notorious for removing his clothes on stage, says he has also teamed up with fellow musician Doc Shebeleza to help disadvantaged people. “I have joined AMAHA [African Musicians Against HIV/Aids] and I have had the opportunity to go and reach out to young people, and I would also want my music to reach out to people.”
He says his album will be released through Mlue Records, owned by prolific DJs Mlue and Smart. According to the musician, house music fans should look out for the “comeback track”, “Dijeyi Phoyisa”, which was produced by DJ Aero, and features UK-based vocalist Oluhle. Another track which he thinks will also do well is “Uyambona Lo”, which features DJ Mlue.
The musician has already shot two music videos for the tracks and is hoping to start performing live again.
“I am planning to get back on the stage now that the album is done. A lot of people have been asking me to take the stage again because they know what I can do and that has really inspired me to put a lot of effort into my work again,” he says.
The album will be launched at the end of March.
