MSA pioneering his own legacy: Interview
Impulse Africa Team recently caught up with multi-talented producer, singer and hip hop sensation, Musawenkosi Cubeka also affectionately known as MSA.
MSA has been tipped by many as one of the artist and producer to look out for in the African music landscape.
He is no stranger in the music industry having worked and produced for the likes of Ice Prince, L-tido, Kwesta, and recently produced Jamville latest hit single Ingoma.
- Briefly tell us about yourself.
MSA is a multi-genre producer and musician. Born in Cape Town and raised in Johannesburg, I got exposed to a multiplicity of sounds and cultures.
My first musical influences were from hip hop, and when I started producing music, I was I experimented other genres. Right now I’m working on a project for Cape to Cairo (the label), and we are making music with different Vocalists and producers.
2. How would you describe your sound?
My sound is a definition of South African music. The beats put one in a state of trance, the vocals speak to your soul. It doesn’t matter which part of the world you are from, my sound will hit you in the right spots.
3. How do you balance being a producer and artist?
Producing my own music gives me an opportunity to create music exactly the way I think. For me, being a producer and a musician doesn’t have any difference, its one and the same thing.
4. Where do you draw your inspiration from?
I get my inspiration from my daily life experiences. Sometimes from the people surrounding me.
When I sleep I even dream about music and where I want to see myself in the near future.
5. Your new single Yilo, what is the inspiration behind it?
Yilo is a dedication song to all people who have been unlucky in love. Everybody deserves to be happy, so you have to fight for love, but don’t force people to love you.
I made the beat, and Sip Slow was the first person that came to my mind, and she overdid herself on the vocals. She is the most complete musician I’ve ever seen, and we’re working on more music for her and Cape to Cairo Entertainment.
6.What can your fans expect from you for the remainder of 2021?
The year is not yet over. There’s plenty of music to be dropped. I’m in a right space, and I’m getting a lot of support from people I partner with. So my people should be ready for the music.
7.Have you noticed any different in the way people consumed your music during and after the lockdown?
Lockdown gave people a chance to be with themselves and listen to real music, not the noise.
Online streaming became very huge, and a lot of new musicians were introduced. I miss being on stage though, because music is even nicer when you perform it.
8.Three things people do not know about MSA?
I’m a good cook. My future wife won’t have to worry about cooking, because I’m a chef (lol).
Some people think I’m unapproachable, but once they get to know me, they discover that I’m really a nice person. I love outdoor activities, I go on hiking trips regularly.
9.What are your thoughts on the state of music in SA right now?
At last, the gate keepers are gone. Music is growing, and people listen to what they want, not what they are forced to listen to.
10. What are you most grateful for at this moment?
I’m grateful for life, family and an opportunity to do what I’ve always loved. I feel blessed.
