Nandipha Mqoco On Digital Entrepreneurship, MC’ing And Her Love For Fashion

Nandipha Mqoco / 24 / Digital Entrepreneur, Master of Ceremonies & Fashion Enthusiast

School Them: What’s a Digital Entrepreneur?

Someone who starts a business in the digital space. In my case it would be by means of content creation and endorsing products on my social media platforms.

Content Creation: What’s the process followers don’t know about?

A lot of planning and strategizing. Most of the content you see is curated but that process is where it gets fun, well most of the time.

New Year: What would you love to achieve in 2020?

Solidify existing brand relationships. Getting the opportunity to travel more for work as an MC and a Content Creator, collaborating with more international brands too. Being well on my way to achieving full financial independence.

Rewind: How did you get into the Digital and MC’ing space?

My digital career just happened to me. It definitely wasn’t intentional at all. I would post my outfits, places I would go to on my Instagram. My sisters and I would have impromptu shoots with street fashion photographers. In addition to that, my sister Yoliswa who had a bigger following, would also post me on her Instagram. Thereafter, my audience grew and brands started to take notice and the rest was history! My MC career was definitely intentional. I always had a passion for public speaking so it only made sense to turn my passion into a profit.

Fun Fact: Your sisters Yoliswa and Thobeka are also in the Social Media Influencer game, was this always the plan?

Not at all, we were just living our lives and sharing our love for fashion, beauty and lifestyle then BOOM!

Threads: You’re a very stylish girl, where’s the inspiration from?

Thank you so much! My relationship with fashion is VERY personal. I was surrounded by extremely stylish women (my mother and sisters) all my life. I would watch fashion TV all day, everyday. I drive my inspiration from many places. Thank God for the internet because it exposed me to amazing fashion from all across the globe, seeing how people interpret different styles and trends. London, Amsterdam, New York, Beijing, even good ol’ Cape Town right here in Mzansi. I really enjoy how the people dress there.

Brag a Bit: Biggest bag/s you’ve secured so far?

Revlon and Clinique have been the biggest bags for me.

Mzansi: Where do you enjoy spending your free time?

Get on a plane and fly to CAPE TOWN. For many reasons – my sister lives there, the food is amazing, the scenery is breathtaking. There’s just so much to do there! But if that isn’t possible then watching series, movies and documentaries in another favourite place of mine…MY BED, is a close second.

Wisdom: Some advice on how to stay relevant in the digital era?

C-O-N-S-I-S-T-E-N-C-Y

Follow Back: Where can new fans catch you on all platforms?

Instagram: nandipha_mqoco / Twitter: @nan_deep / Facebook: Nandipha

 

–Bridgette Makhela

WurlD On New EP, Contagious Single And Being Human First

Nigerian-American Singer and Songwriter, WurlD (real name Sadiq Onifade), recently visited South Africa for the first time, giving an amazing musical showcase at the Universal Music Group South Africa head offices in Rosebank, Johannesburg. #BKoolMedia got to sit down with him following his showcase, this is what he had to say…

First and foremost, why South Africa to showcase your music?

South Africa represents the future for Africa, it is an amazing country. What Mandela has done is truly inspirational, and it takes a village to continue that good work. I have a song called Mother’s Prayer with a line that actually says “When I was young, I dreamt of being Mandela”. I’ve never been to South Africa, this is my first time but I am a fan of the growth.

What’s the EP about?

My EP is titled Contagious and it is a universal conversation. It’s Africa, it’s the US, it’s London. It’s free music. My only hope for the project is to touch as many lives as possible and I can’t wait to share it, it has different colours to it.

Time spent between Nigeria and America, how did that come to be?

Most of my childhood was spent in Nigeria, I went to high school in Nigeria and went to college in America, Atlanta. I actually have a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science and a Master’s Degree in Information Technology.

Music has always been a part of me, in my spare time after school I used to go and take part in talent shows and go to studios in Atlanta. Atlanta has always been a hub for Hip-Hop and R&B music. I’ve found myself in the midst of really talented people. I have however, had to work five times harder because I’m African, people would always have a perception of how my music is supposed to sound.

What’s Contagious about?

Contagious is me going back to my childhood, being inspired by Juju, Fuji and Afro Beats music, the kind of music my parents would listen to while I sat in the backseat of their car.

Any South African artists you’d be keen to collaborate with?

I’d love to collaborate with Shekhinah, she’s dope. Nasty C is dope as well, I love what he represents for the youth and the kids. I also love what artists such as Black Coffee are doing, it’ gonna touch hearts.

Before the end of the year, I’ll be releasing the Contagious EP. I’m also doing a lot of collaborations with different artists. It’s a beautiful time to be African, the rest of the world is watching.

It’s Women’s Month at the moment in South Africa, anything you’d like to share about women?

Happy Women’s Month by the way, it should be an everyday thing actually. I’m so inspired by women that are doing amazing things in various fields. I have an amazing mother and sisters so I know what women are capable of, I mean I’ve met so many women killing it in fields are mainly male-dominated.

Any big names you’ve worked with?

 I’ve worked with a lot of producers and artists. Names such as Akon, B.O.B, Timabaland and Trinidad James to name a few, I’ve also written for some successful artists. I worked with them as a songwriter and as an artist as well. And there’s still so much more to come.

Follow WurlD!

Instagram: @thisiswurld

Twitter: @thisisWurlD

Facebook: WurlD

 

–Bridgette Makhela

 

Thabsie On Her Music, Performing Live And Living Her Dream

Bathabise Vokwana / 26 / Singer, Songwriter & Business Owner

When was your break into the music industry?

I started in the music industry as a backing vocalist in 2013. My big break as a solo artist was the hit SAMA nominated feature with Kwesta, Ngiyazfela Ngawe.

Amongst your others singles, ‘African Queen’ has been a well-received song, did you think it would be this big? 

I never really anticipate how big my songs are going to be, I just write them from the heart and hope that it connects with the listener and African Queen absolutely surpassed my expectations which is pretty cool.

Balancing your schedule must come with a lot of pressure, when do you find time to relax?

I hardly get time for myself these days but I love to use my pockets of spare time to do the things that I love, like going to gym and hanging out with my sisters and close friends. This helps me to recharge my soul.

Do you prefer performing live or spending time in the studio?

I love both but performing live is more fulfilling in the sense that I get to see how the music I make affects people first hand. There’s nothing more heart-warming than having people sing your songs back to you.

What do you believe females in the industry need to focus on?

Empowering other females and working as hard as the males in the industry do.

Any plans to collaborate with other African artists?

I would love to! I’m a huge fan of East and West African music and fellow African artists.

Has your current life always been your dream?

Yes, since I was a little girl, so I’m glad to be living it!

One thing you’d still like to achieve in your career? 

So many more things, I’ve only been in the music industry as a solo artist a little over a year, I feel like it’s only the beginning for me but first off I’d love to win a SAMA award.

Any words of wisdom for aspiring artists that would love to one day be where you are?

 If you feel like your dream is your purpose then pursue it relentlessly. Never make a decision based on desperation and stay humble and hungry.

Follow Thabsie!

Instagram: @thabsie_sa

Twitter: @ThabsieSA

Facebook: Thabsie

 

–Bridgette Makhela