With over two decades of experience is Yanga Chief as he returns with a brand new single titled “My Baby” which grants fans a scope into Yanga’s world and current relationship dynamics whether it be with some new people or people that he has known for years, it details his current structure to life. Yanga is a jack of all trades to be quite frank as his passions lie in very different business endeavours including “Film Making”. He has played a major hand into the impact of some of South Africa’s award winning singles including him co-writing “Ngiyaz’fela Ngawe” by Kwesta and Thabsie as well as writing and contributing vocals to AKA‘s hit single “Jika” and many others. Yanga Chief has since extended his repertoire with him receiving the opportunity to direct a 4-part Docu-Series on the legendary soccer player and pioneer, Dr Khumalo titled “16 V: The Untold Story Of Doctor Khumalo“. This major accolade has since amplified the stature of his career as he went on to showcase various music videos of his own that he directed including “Benjamins” featuring Emtee and HennyBeLit.
Those that know the story of Yanga Chief and where it all started will not shy away to tell you how much of a multi-purpose creative he is and how invested in his craft no matter the form of art. Prior to the release, I received an opportunity of which I couldn’t resist to have an editorial interview with Yanga Chief to simply briefly discuss his journey in music and other surrounding factors to his musical art and he had a lot to share including the details around his latest single titled “My Baby”.
Disclaimer: Interview has been configured/edited for reading purposes.
Prior to your musical hiatus in 2022 (excluding the “Paralyzed You (Freestyle), you worked on the Dr Khumalo “16V” documentary. How would you say that experience enhanced your perspective to the world?
Directing 16V gave me an opportunity to be behind the lens once again, that’s always a beautiful experience because I get to tell someone else’s story. I especially enjoyed working with a bigger crew for an extended period of time. It was quite fun more than anything and informative.
With that enhancement in mind and understanding of how the music world has evolved. What form of value were you able to identify within the richness of sounds produced here in Mzansi and would you say the music world has expandable opportunities for independent artists into the corporate world?
I think if you’re independent right now you should be looking to create anything that’s not being done. Sounds corny but your time is best spent making other sounds. This is the perfect time to experiment with your sound. Collaboration can also help you take risks, hopefully we can start working with people from all over the world, on the internet.
With you gradually returning into the music scene, would you say you feel left behind (based on the pace of the industry)?
I would say the industry has grown, which is always a good thing as I have been able to evolve my brand from behind the scenes allowing to kind of match what is happening in my life to the motions of the industry. I’ve been paying attention and to be quite honest this era of Chief should be fun for a lot people that consume my music. Those that know, will know.
When listening to “My Baby” one can pick up that it touches on various factors surrounding love. Where was your headspace when recording the single and which track did you sample to add the smooth touch and rich texture to the beat?
I have been surrounded by my loved ones and truly speaking focusing on business as I have identified more opportunities for the business to grow. I have also met new people who’s perspectives have had a lasting effect on me and that has had an effect to some personal growth of which I can’t wait to share it.
Would you say you and the producer achieved the set goal in mind with the song?
The initial plan was to make it a diary entry and I think it came off as intended because I was able to express my thoughts and really pour out my heart the way I could at the time. The song is a small letter to the world before we kick it off again next year with some more art so I hope that many people can really relate with the message of the song.
What form of significance does the song weigh or represent into your personal life?
It is a watershed moment for me because I plan on taking more musical risks next year and this song signifies that change in approach and what’s to come is quite more daring as not many will be expecting it from me sonically.
The cover for the track showcases uTata Madiba and his former wife, Winnie Madikizela Mandela, what led to that image being used as the cover? What was the concept behind the cover?
Safety is what every human being urges for and at times all we truly need is to feel safe in order to express our thoughts and emotions so Winnie and Madiba have always represented a “safe place” for me since I was a kid, and that kind of led me to writing this song as I felt at peace and safe around the people that were surrounding me at the time.
Can fans expect visuals to the single or more music in the future?
I will be shooting the music video very soon so fans can expect a visual depiction that will be further describing the single to them. I’m also working on an EP at the moment which I am very excited about and cannot wait to share it my community of fans next year but in the meantime, I want to leave them with a special note that’s close to my heart which is the single. I really hope that many resonate with the song and are able to attach to a significant memory that allows them to feel safe in their world.
Like most creatives, we run out of inspiration at times, what’s your go to remedy for that and how has that impacted your artistic flow towards music?
Honestly I just walk away from music when I can’t make it the way I want to make it because I don’t want to make something for the sake of making music. I want to create something with solid meaning behind it so when I lack inspiration, I walk away to further seek for it in other activities which could indulge in watching soccer with my friends or going out with my loved ones to create memories that truly matter. I also do other things like art and film to reignite my spark for the musical art itself as they leave me feeling challenged more than anything. This has probably slowed down my output but at this moment I have a lot of music in the vault that I cannot wait to share with everybody when I feel is the right time to do so.
With the heavy impact of the digital era, consumption for music has slightly declined in a sense that it is more difficult to find people that listen to music with the aim to understand it and not for vibes. This has though led to many artists being insecure about their art, what would you advise them?
My advice to any artist that’s in love with the art is don’t take any advice. Listen to yourself and be prepared to do whatever it takes to execute whatever you feel you should be doing as that details who you are and truly allows you to be free and stand for what you stand for without the worry of who is going to think what because at the end of the day, art won’t be liked by everyone but those that do love it, will resonate to it and speak about it, so move at your own pace and make things happen where you know best how to and keep creating ART.
Based on your many years of being active in the scene, What direction would you say the South African music scene is going/leading towards in the future?
In my honest opinion, I truly hope that it goes wherever it wants to go and that it is unpredictable and authentic because we have experienced a change in music taste over the years and with that we have been introduced to new sounds that at times we struggle to understand and people will obviously try to replicate that sound if not find themselves around that particular sound and they end up creating their own at the end. Take the time to look at the variations of the Amapiano sound and how it has its own various segmented audience groups that like certain sides of the sound than the other.
Where to from here? (Outside of the music)
I want to take it straight to the top with a lot of plans in the pipeline. You will see for yourself as you continue to engage with me and the brand.
Yanga Chief continues to expand his endeavours and relationships and this has somehow had an impact to who he is becoming further and this song just simply expresses that quite well. “My Baby” is one to add to your playlist as it gels with any mood, whether you are heartbroken looking for motivation to keep pushing or simply in a happy mood, looking for a song to lift up your mood further, it is the right song. This was quite an insightful conversation as it allowed us to understand the true meaning behind his art and those that choose to delve into his world will understand it in their own perspective.
Listen to “My Baby” by Yanga Chief below:
