Ma Nala is a South African singer-songwriter from Bhisho in the Eastern Cape. She started releasing music in 2017, her debut single was titled Tryna Find Love, which was followed by another single titled Soze which she explains that it is a song against violence against women and her third single, featuring Gemini Major is titled Forever. She has released her new single titled “We Going In”. She describes the type of music that she makes as futuristic R&B. 

Ma Nala was drawn into music because she was highly inspired by her late father, Zolisa Mnyango, who was one of the first radio DJs from her hometown. She explains that her father would play every type of music genre wherever they were, whether it was at a family gathering or they were driving somewhere. Music has always been part of her family, and that is evident in her creative process. 

Ma Nala describes her creative process as doing anything that comes naturally to her. “I find a producer that really connects with me and then I come up with the melodies in the studio or in random locations when something comes up to me and I write lyrics to those melodies”, she says. She also explains that the most challenging aspect of being a musician is people not believing or understanding your art. “It’s really difficult to break into this industry, especially as a woman in such a male-dominated industry but I am taking a stance and this chance to rise again and let the music live on”, she says. 

When it comes to criticism, Ma Nala takes it all in with love because she believes that at the end of the day, her voice and her opinion is the one that matters the most. “I mainly do this music thing for myself. It’s a form of healing for myself, it’s a form inspiring other women and children who are in the same industry or they aspire to do the same thing”, she says. And that is also what keeps her motivated and inspired to keep going. 

She is also motivated and inspired by other women in the industry like Msaki, Shekhinah, Zonke, Nanette, and people who are trying and doing what they are destined for. “I am inspired by other women, especially in the R&B sector of South African music because there’s not a lot of people who are doing R&B”, she says. And while she would really like to collaborate with a lot of amazing artists in South Africa, Msaki is at the top of her list because she deeply resonates with her music, and she believes that their voices would sound good together. 

Ma Nala is a creative being to her core, she states that if she wasn’t a singer she would’ve been a dancer or an actress. And being a creative comes with creative blocks, she explains how she deals with creative blocks. “I actually let them ride out because I believe that everything happens for a reason. But when they stick out for too long, I draw inspiration from other creatives on YouTube and Instagram”, she says. She explains that she does that while trying her best to remain true to herself. 

Ma Nala states that she believes that the most important quality to have in the music industry is authenticity. “I believe that in this world we are all different people, there’s nobody like you. So when you are not being authentic then you are not being yourself”, she says. And she stays true by constantly reminding herself who she is and by praying and meditating, while taking breaks from social media as well. “It’s really important that you know yourself and your values. And a little prayer and meditation just to restart and rejuvenate the system”, she explains. This helps her achieve what she is trying to do with her music. 

Ma Nala says that the most important thing she wants people to take away from her music is the love that she tries to give out and share through her music so that they can understand and resonate with it. “I would love for people to resonate with my music and understand the music that I am making. All I am looking for is a form of understanding, to be understood and appreciated”, she says. 

Ma Nala states that the biggest mistake that she has made was not believing in herself and putting her dreams aside because she didn’t have the self-belief to do what she knows she’s destined for. “I went through a long stage where I believed that what I was doing was not enough, my voice was not enough, and I was not enough. I believed that I was not worthy to be in the industry”, she says. 

However, after looking after her mom for almost a year and a half and going to record labels and being given empty promises, she realized that tomorrow is not promised to anyone and time waits for no one and she got scared that time is passing by and she’s not doing what she loves. “I got to a point where I was scared that what if I don’t wake up tomorrow or I can’t release music ever again. So, I had to find the strength within myself, and I realized that I need to do this, and my time is now because I don’t want to waste another year”, she says. And after a 4-year long hiatus, Ma Nala is getting back into the music industry. 

She explains that she is really excited about her new single that she is releasing on the 3^rd of November. “I am really excited to share my new music with everybody and to be sharing every aspect of myself that I have been hiding for the past 4 years and just start living in my glory”, she says. The single is titled We Going In, it is produced by Big Les and Surprise and it is co-written by her and an American artist called Aim. “The song is about forgetting about life troubles and all the worries that life tends to bring and living above the obstacles, just having a good time and bossing up”, she says, excitedly. She also states that she has exciting plans for herself, like a lyric visualizer coming out on the 3^rd as well. Followed by a second single at the beginning of January next year then an E.P, followed by her debut album next year. She states that she is doing all of this with the support of her mom, who is her pillar of strength, as well as her PR team. We are excited to see Ma Nala getting back into the industry and living out her passion. Her latest single We Going In is available to stream on all streaming platforms.