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Bruce Ndlovu Showbiz Correspondent
OVER the years, the country’s music industry has had its fair share of one-hit wonders. These are the artistes that, after one catchy tune that excites music listeners, disappear from the musical landscape. The reasons for this phenomenon vary. Some artistes simply do not have the talent that their one popular song promised. Some, ill-equipped to deal with fame, wilt under the pressure that the limelight brings, unable to repeat the same success as a star that had come so easily for them as an unknown in the music business.

Although he already has a catalogue of hits to his name, Bulawayo king of kwaito, Khulekani “Khuxxman” Bethule does not wish to fall into this category of artistes who fade after their proverbial 15 minutes of fame is up. This week the kwaito kingpin released his first single since 2012, titled Mzazwa, with hope of striking gold again after a relatively quiet couple of years.

The single is important for Khuxxman as it is the follow up to a potentially career defining and groundbreaking song. An artiste who lives off his past work is one destined for failure and this is a fact Khuxxman had in mind when he crafted his latest single.

Vumelani Sangoma was important for many reasons. One of them was how it showed that with imagination and creativity, local artistes can also win the hearts of music lovers like their much admired South African counterparts. The song managed to break into playlists that are the preserve of house music hit makers from south of the Limpopo.

However, it was also important for its cultural impact as it managed to use an old traditional melody to create a viral hit. While a lot of artistes talk about preserving traditional culture, Khuxxman, whose initial claim to fame was the pan-African hit Ma Africa, proved he could walk the talk. With his latest single, he says, he will continue where he left off with Vumelani Isangoma.

“I always try my best to come up with new concepts and if people listen to this latest single they will agree with me. For me it’s all about trying to preserve our cultural songs, games and poems so that they don’t die.

“This is important for me particularly in the modern world where youths no longer take pride in anything to do with culture which is why I am trying to modernise cultural things so they don’t become things to do with ancestors,” he said.

Khuxxman believes that although Vumelani Isangoma went a long way in reconnecting party-loving youths with their roots, it was only a trickle in comparison to the deluge of foreign music and culture that they are usually fed.

The musician looks at himself as more than an entertainer but also a cultural ambassador.

“I would say that Vumelani Isangoma went a long way in reviving some of our lost culture but this is a big mission that cannot be fulfilled by a single song.

“This has to be done continually until our culture is known and understood on an internationally level,” he said.

Vumelani Isangoma was a run-away success because of its infusion of traditional melody and modern sounds. One would think with this seemingly proven blueprint of success Bulawayo artistes, who have long struggled to make an impact, would be queuing up to copy it.

However, this has not been the case and Khuxxman believes this is due to the over competitive nature of city artistes.

“Very few have followed that style because they say they don’t want to seem like they are imitating Khuxxman. That is the line of thinking from most of my fellow musicians.

“Instead of us pushing what people have shown appreciation for, we are blinded by the competition among ourselves as Bulawayo artistes,” he said.

While other artistes would be intimidated by the success of their previous hit, Khuxxman believes that he has mastered his craft and will once again give fans another dance-floor shaking hit.

He says while he hears the whispers of doubters, he is confident he will prove the critics wrong with another song that will cause ripples on the music scene.

“I would not say I am under pressure to repeat the success of Vumelani Isangoma. Of course I am aware that whatever I do will be compared to that song but after I made MaAfrica years ago, people were saying that I will never do it again but I did. So I am confident that I will once again do it,” he said.

While Mzazwa is being touted as the appetiser before the big feast that is his album, Khuxxman says that he will not be releasing his full project without full financial backing. In the past, he said, artistes have released poorly marketed projects that have failed to make the required splash on the music industry.

“The biggest let down when it comes to releasing an album is marketing. I have no sponsors backing me hence it’s difficult to just release albums which don’t really further one’s career.

“At this point I will only release an album if I get a proper marketing and distribution deal,” he said.

An artiste is only as good as his last hit and Khuxxman seems to be aware of that. While many have fallen by the wayside after chart topping hits, Khuxxman says this will not be the case with him.

With a new single out and his last hit still fresh on the minds of fans, Bulawayo’s kwaito king is trying to make hay while the sun shines.