From performing at small local gigs in East London to sharing the stage with international superstars, Azipheli Sakwe’s rise in the music world is exciting to watch, as she becomes among the first East London-born artists to perform at the European Music Festival, Gasteiner Infinity Tour to a crowd of nearly 300,000.
Earlier this year, Sakwe and the Cape Town pop instrumental duo, Acoustic Element recorded a song called Wimbo Wakoh, which launched them into the spotlight.
This year’s festival included American rockers Kings of Leon, British crooner Sam Smith; English pop-rock band The Kooks, and German rock band Milky Chance.
Sakwe said: “Opening for Kings of Leon and Sam Smith was such an incredible experience. I was so nervous. I had never seen a stage that big. It truly felt like a dream. I still can’t believe it.
“Dreams for people who come from little East London can come true, no matter how impossible they may seem,” Sakwe said.
Sakwe recently released her own single titled, Vuleka, a three-step genre track that embodies the spirit of hope and perseverance.
“Vuleka means open, and it is a poignant prayer, imploring God to open doors and pathways, allowing us to walk through challenges and emerge stronger. It is part of my forthcoming EP, Mobembo,” she said.
The talented muso has been singing and performing since her early high school days and was heavily inspired by opera. She currently creates music in the Afro-tech genre but comes from a background of jazz, classical music, and Afropop. She has cited musicians such as Busi Mhlongo, Miriam Makeba, Zahara, and Jennifer Hudson as her inspirations.
“I started singing in high school. I relocated to Cape Town to pursue music as a career.
“It has been challenging financially. I sometimes sell food and clothes to make ends meet,” Sakwe said.
Solomzi Mjayezi of Artside Space has worked with Sakwe and believes that her talent can take her to greater heights.
“Azi is an extremely talented musician, and has the potential to become internationally recognised.
“I just hope she finds a great team around her, good people who can share the business side of the talent she has so that she can make a proper living doing what she loves.
“It’s always sad to see some of the most talented artists from the Eastern Cape get exploited, because they are not aware of the business side and their true worth. This narrative needs to change so that history does not repeat itself,” Mjayezi said.