In expanding our knowledge of African history and culture, music is a fundamental point to start at. While intsomi and dinonwane have gathered the masses to tell the tales, the melodies and instruments of black people have stood the test of time and brought unity amongst the people. From playing with drums as a child to spreading her message with uHadi, Lindokuhle Matina otherwise known as Chosi has allowed us to tell her story and inspire others.
By: Lesego Kgatle
It was very home, music was very home.
With home creating this safe space in music, Chosi says that “the earliest memories of music I have would be of my grandmother and my aunt. My whole maternal family went to the Zion Church and my aunt was a choir singer. There would be choir practices at our home, and I remember how my cousins and I would come around the table, after they’re done, and we’d just imitate how they sang”. Music played a big role in her early years with her family largely contributing to that. “My grandmother had an ancestral calling, so it was very normal for us to just pick up a drum to play and start singing.”
Idols
“It was a life changing experience, and my debut audition was definitely the pinnacle of my career”.
Chosi auditioned for Idols on Season 17, with her single titled ‘Ntinga’ which she has released. The beautiful performance (and her amazing soul) captured the hearts of many South Africans, and the judges of course, as they sang along to her original sound, she performed with uHadi, the Xhosa musical bow instrument.
Read More: Finding Your Artistic Voice: Noluthando “Sanibonani” Shandu’s Journey to Authenticity
While the maternal family has shed light for Chosi on her love for music, African artists she’s had encounters with, have inspired her to become the amazing musician she is today.
“I love Miriam Makeba and just not her music alone, but just her activism as a black African woman, like she was everything I’d wanted to be like.”
“Samthing Soweto is so special and he has such a beautiful voice”
“My writing, is very much influenced by my poetry background with my mentor being Koleka Putuma”
“Jazz Pianist, Moses Molelekwa, is another person I would say influenced my career in music”
“The best concert I have attended would be Herbie Tsoaeli. He is one of the greatest jazz legends. I love to experience a bit of a time when I wasn’t really born or maybe I wasn’t as conscious of what’s happening“
With her gift and passion in music, she is a great improviser and if you give her a beat, magic happens. “My creative process is listening to the beats. I think words come last, you know, I’d say one thing over and over and over again. The beat also tells me I feel happy about the song or sad.”
The musical gift, Chosi has accepted has led her in a direct to “spread the good news of the gospel of Jesus”. “The Holy Spirit was very clear to me that my purpose is to make him known and to bring people closer to him.”
Chosi is ever ready to connect with the people that listen to her music
What to look out for
Expect new music from Chosi in July, followed by a music video to commemorate a foundation she is launching on the 3rd of August. The Victory Song Foundation aims to decrease the rates of suicide, and they focus mainly on township areas by giving free access to mental health for people residing there.
Make your mark and check out more information on their Instagram page and find ways in which you can help out and create a difference.