Toya Delazy speaks on her struggles in SA music industry but says ‘we move’

Multi-award-winning artist Toya Delazy took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share how she was bullied on social media, her struggles in the South African music industry, and her plans for the future.

The singer-songwriter, known for her music genre called Afro Rave, wrote: “I have endured years of being torn up just being myself. South Africa showed me flames.

“The words underneath this picture I posted after my gran died could have killed me, from drug addict to demon. 826 comments, many won’t endure hate like that in thier (sic) lifetime, this is a day.”

I have endured years of being torn up just being myself. South Africa showed me flames. The words underneath this picture I posted after my gran died could have killed me, from drug addict to demon
826 comments, many won’t endure hate like that in thier life time, this is a day pic.twitter.com/XisMQu834p

— AFRO-RAVE ☥ (@ToyaDelazy) June 5, 2024

The SA-born London-based Toya said the comments shared are the abuse that she faces daily on social media.

Toya, whose music genre fuses techno, drum, bass, and beats with Zulu lyricism, revealed the TV industry in the past was not keen on showcasing her videos locally.

She said: “I stopped sending my music videos SA TV after I sent ‘Greatest’, ‘Tini’ ‘Resurrection’ to Trace, and they complained about the quality, when I use the best, so I couldn’t get on TV with new material, all the avenues that were major lead were closed like I never existed.”

I stopped sending my music videos SA TV after I sent ‘Greatest’, ‘Tini’ ‘Resurrection’ to Trace, and they complained about the quality, when I use the best, so I couldn’t get on TV with new material, all the avenues that were major lead were closed like I never existed.

— AFRO-RAVE ☥ (@ToyaDelazy) June 5, 2024

Toya added that “record labels in Africa will have to stand trial. She reflected on her current career trajectory: “We move. Behold I make all things new. New life, new friends, new supporters, new spaces, new. “

We move. Behold I make all things new. New life, new friends, new supporters, new spaces, new. Smakade NgiyaThokoza ❤️?️?️?️?
Pictured with Princess Kalilanga. pic.twitter.com/LTyJPb6SOL

— AFRO-RAVE ☥ (@ToyaDelazy) June 5, 2024

According to SA HipHop Magazine, Toya announced recently that she signed a deal in the United Kingdom with PSR Charity Funding.

?I am having a momentous day! gassed to announce I am the recipient of the ppl momentum fund by @prsformusic #PPLMomentum. Thank you so much to PRS for the support, I have never had a successful application and really taught me patience after many applications ?❤️ Thank you!! pic.twitter.com/YerSqZIBjZ

— AFRO-RAVE ☥ (@ToyaDelazy) June 3, 2024

Toya is the granddaughter of the late politician and Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) founder Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi.

Words: Fame Frenzy