Nonxishi's debut album, is a powerful blend of Xhosa folk, afro jazz and R&B that explores themes of identity, resistance and longing for a better world.
This is the story of Nonxishi, a musician whose journey to releasing her debut album was one of introspection, resilience, and a deep commitment to expressing her artistic vision. Her music is an exciting and at times surprising blend of Xhosa folk, afro jazz and R&B . It was a project years in the making and one she describes as a life-defining milestone.
Despite having spent decades writing songs and performing sporadically, it wasn’t until she was approaching her 40th birthday that Nonxishi decided to pursue music seriously. “I had to ask myself, if I were to die tomorrow, what is the one thing I’d be unhappy I never pursued? The answer was music,” she reflects. Her journey to this decision was neither straightforward nor free of doubt. While her younger years were marked by open mic nights at Rhodes University and a stint as a backup singer for Xhosa reggae artist, Nathi B music mainly remained a private passion. Life in Johannesburg, a career in the media industry and the demands of being the eldest child in her family left little space for her artistic pursuits. “There’s a lot of traffic in my head,” she admits. “I’ve always had so many ideas but at a certain point I had to choose one to focus on.”In 2017, Nonxishi began taking vocal lessons to build her confidence, first with Gabi Motuba and later with Ziza Muftic, both Johannesburg-based musicians. By 2020, she had performed her first solo show — an intimate, Covid-era house concert for a small audience in Johannesburg’s Melville suburb. Over the next few years, she organised and funded 10 performances to hone her craft, building the courage to record her first album. Her debut album, is a bold, introspective exploration of identity, resistance and longing for a better world. Rooted in the duality of self-possession and deep social commentary, it encapsulates a desire for an imagined place where the struggles and injustices of the world dissolve — a theme that reverberates throughout the album’s seven songs., the album immediately grounds itself in historical consciousness. The song reflects on the lost grandeur of African civilisations like,,, where Nonxishi questions the efficacy of protest music in a world rife with anti-blackness. The stark refrain, “This land is not theirs,” paired with the haunting closing line, “We are orphans without songs,” captures the tension between resistance and the seemingly insurmountable weight of grief., meanwhile, is a playful ode to sensuality, drawing from Xhosa folk traditions that explore expressions of sexuality. With its cheeky lines like “We can be busy at 7, 7:30 and at 8 o’clock, but I’m not saying we must go until 11 o’clock,” the song’s humour and rhythm make it a standout moment of levity.is a heartfelt tribute to enduring friendship. The lyrics, “Life’s ups and downs are made so much easier by you, friend,” celebrate the quiet strength of companionship, underscoring how personal connections anchor us amid life’s turbulence. Nonxishi’s album is a promising debut that blends the personal and political with lyrical depth and musical innovation. Each song offers a piece of Nonxishi’s vision for a world transformed — a place where injustices are undone, intimacy thrives and art provides a lifeline
NONXISHI ALBUM MUSIC XHOSA FOLK AFRO JAZZ R&B SOCIAL COMMENTARY IDENTITY RESISTANCE FRIENDSHIP
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