#MusicExchange: Gazelle prepares for comeback with new album

In February 2020, Gazelle travelled back to South Africa from his new home to record a Gazelle comeback album with the working title of From Limpopo with Love and then got stranded for a year.

During this time, he dug deep into his roots and started creating with new inspirations to create the return of Gazelle.

A recent comeback collaboration with Bouwer Bosch and Freddy L with “Liefde Love Uthando” has brought his voice back to the radio waves with a powerful remembrance of his previous cross-cultural creations. Another single with Columbian producer Sinego was recently released through the label, “Selected”, in late 2020 and received more than a million plays in the first weeks on Spotify.

The first single from his upcoming album is titled “Goeiemore Suid Afrika”, for which he teamed up with Die Heuwels Fantasties. The song is reminiscent of an ‘80s television show theme hit song that brings together a sound of nostalgia and lyrics that captures the meaning of the word ‘irony’ in Afrikaans, “‘n lag met ‘n traan”, which means, laughter with a tear.

It is a reflection on the opposites that makes up a beautiful and abundant country.

One thing is certain, Gazelle is back. With new upcoming songs, artworks and collaborations with the likes of Jack Parow, Penny Penny and Nonku Phiri.

I caught up with Gazelle last week.

The new decade means:

The new roaring ‘20s? Perhaps the same level of lust for life but hopefully with more thoughtful approaches on creating positive social and environmental impact.

Fame is about:

Taking responsibility for having a public voice and asking what positive impact we can make with that gift. Otherwise, there is no flame in that fame.

Retirement will happen when:

Only in the moments of rest between a constant creation into eternity.

I don't do:

Watermelon.

What does music mean to you?

A tool and ritual to connect to our greater collective being as humans.

My music is about:

Creating a future culture that we can all belong to and feel a part of.

I would love to co-write with:

Tresor

Where do you go for inspiration to create?

I get lost in the beauty of nature. The bush, a mountain, a waterfall, the ocean, a forest. They all unveil the greatest teachings to me.

What is the most enjoyable aspect of your work?

To dream up things that might be absurd and then witness the final creations and connecting with the wonderful collaborators on a very deep level.

The song you must do in every show?

“Die Verlore Seun” or “Hosh Tokolosh”.

Any funny moments on stage:

I remember doing a jumping split that left me with a dress instead of a pair of pants after a ripping moment.

My heroes:

Johnny Clegg, James Brown, Bob Marley, Fela Kuti.

My style icon:

Must be my friend Adrien Sauvage.

What is your most treasured possession?

At this moment in time, I would have to say my MacBook since it is at the core of so much of my creation.

It’s your round, what are you drinking?

I love mezcal and recently discovered Karoo Agave Spirit, which is South Africa's equivalent. But hey sometimes brandy and Coke!

Dream gig to do:

Definitely Red Rocks Amphitheater, but after living all these years in New York I would have to say it’s a dream to play Carnegie Hall.

What makes you stand out?

I believe it is that I have always stepped out of my comfort zone. I wanted to celebrate what it is to be South African when all the rappers wanted to be American.

Nicknames:

When I was very little it was Makhanda, because people on the farm said I was like an old man with a big head.

If you were not a musician, what would you do?

Would have loved to explore theatre or film. But perhaps something completely different would be, to design buildings. I love architecture and design.

Who would play you in a Hollywood blockbuster and why?

Boyd Holbrook because he's one of my best friends and probably knows all of my best stories.

Pick five words to describe yourself:

Persistent, passionate, considerate, daring, ambitious.

Five favourite SA albums of all time: 

Kala Harari Rock by Harari
Third World Child by Johnny Clegg and the Savuka
Niemandsland by Koos Kombuis
Cape of Good Dope by Various Artists
Graceland by Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Paul Simon (because it's actually an SA album!)

What song changed your life?

“Daddy Cool” by Boney M.

Who do you love?

New York, she's quite a gal.

What is your favourite word?

Hello.

Favourite fashion garment:

Must be my hats that Albertus Swanepoel makes.

Give us some real proper slang and what it means

Hiekomkak - Here comes trouble.

Top of your bucket list:

Go to space and experience zero gravity.

Your greatest achievement:

Performing in the Bowery Ballroom in New York.

Happiness is:

Value creation for oneself, others and the environment we live in.

On stage, I tend to:

Forget my lines but also forget all the worries of the world.

Where would you like to be right now?

Cheetah Plains.

Do you do charity work and, if you do, what do you do?

I do not believe in charity; I believe we need to empower constantly and not in moments purely just give away something for our own relief of guilt but rather constantly see how we can make the world a better place. During this pandemic, I jumped in to support a local organisation called Hlokomela in the Hoedspruit area that works to support farmworkers with free healthcare and having my family in agriculture this was the immediate help I could offer in my immediate environment.

Wishes and dreams:

That South Africa’s future is bright with each individual realising their own potential and breaking through to fulfil their dreams and a wholesome flourishing country. That corruption, greed and entitlement are dissolved and people build a new culture that includes everyone. For people to get to know and understand each other and realising that we are interconnected, valuable to each other and all from the same source.

Social media:

Instagram | Spotify Facebook | Twitter