We are all really excited with the news that Msaki will be with us in the next few days for a 2SeasSession!
All of us at 2Seas can’t wait to welcome her and listen to some of that original Msaki sound.
Msaki is a composer and singer-songwriter from East London, South Africa. She was born in East London and grew up between East London, Butterworth, Grahamstown, Peddie, Nqamakhwe and Cathcart. Born into a musically gifted family, her father who was a Dj while studying at the University of Fort Hare and also ran choirs throughout his life, was one of Msaki’s first influences. Her grandfather was also a well- known composer and songwriter therefore it comes as no surprise that at a young age Msaki knew that there was magic in music.
In 2008 while enrolled for a course in Visual Art and Design in East London Msaki became a part of an alternative rock collective. She started spending time in friend’s studios and contributing to the underground music scene where music was recorded and shared unofficially. The songstress then went to Grahamstown to further her studies in Visual Art in 2009 and during this time formed her rst band. She taught herself how to play the guitar in 2010 while studying Art at Leeds University in England where she was an exchange student as she spent many cold afternoons in her room writing songs. For Msaki, the guitar was a song writing tool that gave her the independence she needed to create as and when a song beckoned. In 2011 she returned to Grahamstown and played often in the thriving indie singer-songwriter scene.
Msaki creates a sound that combines soulful folk with symphonic movements, Xhosa lyrics and African poly-rhythms with portals of sincere improvisations. Her raw delivery disrupts your senses, leaving you moved and quietly longing for more as she weaves subtle tales of love, loss, home, revolution and hope. She plays with an ever-evolving and expanding band of incredible musicians from different musical backgrounds she calls the Golden Circle.
Msaki believes in the power that the arts hold to allow people to re-imagine themselves and the validity of every unique story. This year she has inspiring & moving performances and exciting projects lined up including a set with her band at Bush re Festival in Swaziland and a performance at the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown. Msaki continues to be a pioneer in the music industry who blazes her own path. She is undoubtedly a strong musical force.