Thandiswa Mazwai
Image courtesy of Zayrha Rodrigues/NPR
(The Post News)- Thandiswa Mazwai adds another notch in her belt with a brand-new performance on NPR Music’s Tiny Desk, a unique online concert that has taken the world by storm for its intimate setting.
The Washington DC filmed Tiny Desk concerts are praised for their inclusive and diverse selection of artists and musicians found from all over the world, across several genres and have become the go-to spot for singers and their bands from the past and today to celebrate their most popular releases with an in-studio audience and viewers at home. Other African artists who have appeared before Mazwai include the late Oliver Mtukudzi, Tems, The Soweto Gospel Choir and many more.
The South African singer/songwriter, Thandiswa Mazwai teased the possibility of her gracing the Tiny Desk stage in December through a cryptic post on X that had fans excited at the chance to see her on the global platform.
Mazwai subsequently dropped the news that she would be the latest addition to the Tiny Desk alumni back in January, following a triumphant appearance at the Global Fest at the Lincoln Centre for Performing Arts in New York.
Taped at the top of the year, the episode was released today on NPR Music’s youtube page that has aired over 800 concerts, garnered over 9 million subscribers and a collective 2+ billion views since its inception in 2008.
King Tha, as she is affectionately referred to as by her supporters, performed her well-known classics spanning her decades-long career. She opened up her set with ‘Nizalwa Ngobani’ which she dedicated to “the ever-resilient people of South Africa.”
“I want to say to my people at home, thank you,” added the former Bongo Maffin member. “I am known worldwide because of you.”
Also, on the setlist was the adored love song ‘Ingoma’, ‘Nizalwa Ngobani?’, ‘Abenguni’, ‘Lahl’umlenze’, and “Children of the Soil’ feature on her next album release titled ‘Sankofa’.
Post-performance, Mazwai shared how challenging it was preparing for such an intimate crowd. However, she expressed that she also enjoyed that aspect about it. She further admitted to feeling nervous before the show.
“I’m actually very nervous about every gig,” she said. “It’s a feeling of surrendering to the gift that allows you to transition. Nerves are a part of transitioning into the conduit/sonic healer, so that will always exist.”
In a video posted on X, Thandiswa Mazwai revealed that the performance is dedicated to her daughter, Malaika Mazwai.” She is my one true inspiration,” she gushed.
The multi-award winner is set to launch her fourth studio album ‘Sankofa’ this May with a live performance at the Big Top Arena.
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