THERE are numerous female artists who have taken breaks from the music industry and then made successful comebacks.
One of them is Plaxedes Wenyika.
She returned with her new album Afrosoul Rhapsody.
H-Metro’s Latwell Nyangu (LN) spoke with Plaxedes Wenyika (PW).
LN: Plaxedes, you somehow disappeared and came back. Unenge uchimbotora ma-notes somewhere here?
PW: I am multifaceted and l sometimes use my other skills, which has made for an interesting unconventional life. When not doing music, l will be in the corporate world or busy with entrepreneurial pursuits.
LN: Does musical talent fade away?
PW: Music is inborn, it never dies. People can leave or quit because of different life opportunities or circumstances. Our lights are also meant to shine and last differently.
LN: You are called our ‘own Celine Deon’, how do you feel being likened to her?
PW: I feel honoured because l get people trying to express how they perceive me by likening me to an artist whose music has the same effect in moving them emotionally. She’s known for love songs and so am l.
LN: You emerged as a trailblazer in the Urban Grooves music genre, leaving an indelible mark in the industry. Do you feel you still match the same Plaxedes who hogged the limelight in 2002?
PW: We are ever evolving; that version of me set me up for the position l stand in today.
Our audiences differ now. My target audience is now older, discerning and laid back and so the appeal will be the same, just in a different time and space
LN: Looking into your new offering, Afrosoul Rhapsody, again it speaks about love, have you been heartbroken?
PW: When l decided to record AfroSoul Rhapsody, l teamed up with two writers, Marbel and Baby Son. I knew the themes l wanted to sing about and we penned songs around those themes. The themes are for the grown up and sexy as l like to put it. It’s reflective of midlife experiences and resonates strongly with a mature audience.
LN: From urban groove to Afro Soul, how is the transition?
PW: The music is related because I always sing RnB, soul, ballads and mid-tempo music. The difference is that this is more live band sound influenced. We had an amazing team of musicians adding their flair to enrich the sound. The voice, the subject matter, this album is more of mid-tempo songs.
PW: I am very relevant for my target audience who are my peers from 20 years ago. I sing what’s relevant and speak to them. The market has demand for laid back mature music. As long as demand exists, a product will be made.
LN: Most people in the team you worked with are now doing different things. Any hope of making a huge collaboration?
PW: For me collaborations come out of common interests and sound. When a song or opportunity presents itself that works for us as artists and brands for where we are going, then collaborations are possible.