Bathabise “Thabsie” Biyela quickly rose to fame after featuring in the popular song, Ngiyaz’fela Ngawe, with Kwesta, and her star continues to rise as she drops hit after hit. This year she was nominated for 3 SA Music Awards in less than 12 months since she’s been in the music game.
By Ayanda Sitole
I left my job as an investment banker after two years. I was making a lot of money but I wasn’t happy and I wanted to be true to myself and give my dreams a chance to materialise. I was scared to leave the comfort of my 9 to 5 to pursue music so I didn’t tell anyone that I had quit my job except for my husband. I didn’t want anyone to deter me from my decision or to blame anyone if I didn’t succeed.
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My parents were cool with me leaving my job to pursue music because they are not very traditional in the sense that they didn’t force me to study, find a job and settle down. They support me and want me to pursue my dreams. I call my dad “Sugar” because he told me when I was in varsity I don’t need a sugar daddy, he told me that he would provide everything I wanted and has supported me all the way.
Ngaz’fela ngawe is hands down my biggest song and working with Kwesta has been amazing. I am working on another song that he will feature on. I love the fact that my career started on a high note because it challenges me to write songs that are bigger. Kwesta has been a big brother to me by showing me the ropes in the music industry, he has been guiding me and we’ve done a couple of tours together. I’m learning a lot from him every day.
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It’s hard for a lot of artists to break out in the music industry. I believe that if you’re meant to do something it will happen and it will happen in God’s timing. My meeting with Kwesta was fate. I was leaving the studio one day and we passed each other, he asked me if I wanted to help him with his song. I never put out demos or hustled people to push my career. I was just loving my craft and honing my skill in the background. I had faith that things would fall into place.
The 24th SAMAs were amazing and daunting at the same time. I was nominated for 3 awards and it’s the biggest accolade you can get for music in South Africa. I’m working on new project starting in July and want to shoot a video for my new song with Kwesta. I want my video to be something cool, fun and exciting. I’m also doing a lot of collaborations with other artists.
