DUNCAN VILLAGE’S very own Siseko Pame walked away with the Best Contemporary Adult Album award for his album Ilanga (The Sun) at the 24th South African Music Awards (Samas).
Pame dedicated the award to everyone who had journeyed with him through life.
The musician said he was honoured to receive the award that came in line with the celebration of his 34th birthday.
“It was the happiest moment ever in my music journey and it came at the time when I was anticipating my 34th birthday,” Pame said.
“I had the most rewarding birthday time ever.I’ve never won any award for music except for the hearts of those who received the messages behind my music.. I’m truly honoured.” he said.
Pame said he was introduced to music by his musician his parents, who were also musicians.
who would bring music home which later It inspired his love for music from various genres. ““My mother could sing and she would collected music vinyls/LPs from the likes of the late Brenda Fassie, Rebecca Malope, Stevie Wonder, Miriam Makeba, Tshepo Tshola, The Manhattan’s, and many more.
“My father, who was a pianist/keyboardist, would collect music from Earl Klugh, The Jazz Masters, George Benson, Jonathan Butler, Sadao Watanabe. I grew up listening to these different styles and genres of music.
and “I later joined a local church when I was 15 and became the leader of the worship team,” he said.
He said it was when he started a rap group in grade 8 that he got to learn about different classical musical instruments, which later played a role in shaping his music career.
“The group was called Boys In Tha Hood, with three high school friends. Weand we went to the former Crescendo Music Academy, which was founded by Mr Richard Lento, to ask for a recording deal.
“Mr Lento presented us with an opportunity to learn classical instruments such as the violin, cello, and viola.
“The other boys later quit but I remained and continued to learn until I was placed in a local orchestras such as the East London Classical Players’ Orchestra in 2004,” he said.
Pame said it that was at that time when doors startedwhere opening for him.
However, it was when he moved to Port Elizabeth to train as a student civil engineering technician that the dream became a reality.
“I met Doctor Sipho Sithole in a talent search competition. where a fellow group, Take Note, won the record deal that was the prize. In 2011, Doctor Sithole called me and asked me to come to Jo’burg to do an opening performance for Wanda Baloyi.
“He. He then announced to the audience after that performance that he was going to then signed me under Native Rhythms.and that is how the recording of my first solo album began ,” he said.
He said the album was completed in June 2014.
“My plan now is to let my album shine to as many people as I cancould possibly reach through live performances and appearances.
“I want to share the stories with the young and old,” he said.
Pame encouraged aspiring artists not to despise small beginnings.
