Teba Music

Mr

Teba (Teballo) Phalane was born in Mokopane, a township in Limpopo. He is a South African Afro-Soul singer/songwriter who does his music in Sepedi and has aspirations of bringing recognition to this language into the South African music industry. Musical background Teba is a 2018 Best Afro Soul Sepedi Music Award Winner. He first realized his singing talent at a very young age at Dr Dixon Mphahlele Primary School, but at that time, the young boy did not even understand what he had. He later joined the local Lutheran Church Youth League in Lebowakgomo where he went deeper into singing and later joined the Church choir as well. He sang in the two groups between the years 2004 and 2015 and this is where he developed all his love for music and aspirations of one day becoming a musician in his own right. He hails from a history of musical greatness, his late Grandfather, Nkhulu Isaac Phalane was a renowned choral music composer and conductor whose music became very popular in the late 60’s. His music was heard all over the country during the times of the “Radio Bantu” era to date. Both Teba’s parents are currently actively involved in music at the Letlhasedi Parish Lutheran church choir in Lebowakgomo. In 2017, Teba joined a band named “Afro Music Power Band” where for the first time in his life, he was singing behind the mic, and at the same time he was part of a Clap n Tap choir named “The Mighty Worshipers Gospel Choir”, that is when he decided to come out and showcase his talent and abilities through writing and recording his own music, he then put up a few RnB songs in English. It was during a listening session with his producer Bongani Hlabioa, when Teba’s conscience paid him a visit reminding him of his roots and where he comes from. It was on that day that this talented musician started writing and composing his music in Sepedi, a dominant South African language spoken largely in Limpopo, Mpumalanga and Gauteng Provinces. He strongly believes that South African musicians need to compose and produce music in their own languages. Teba is actually a Ndebele native but speaks Sepedi because he grew up around BaPedi and that is a part of who he is. He chose to compose music in Sepedi because he wants to be the official ambassador of the language as he has realized that there is a lot of Afro-Zulu/ Xhosa but Afro-Soul Sepedi is almost none existent. Teba wants to make beautiful music in Sepedi and in the process, showcase the mesmerizing qualities that this one South African language can bring into the Music scene. He also has aspirations of going deeper into his roots by making “romantic hits” in Ndebele. Teba’s inspiration comes from his love for Soul music which he discovered growing up as a young boy. As a young man who grew up in an area where Sepedi takes dominance, Teba only saw it fitting that he makes music in that particular language because not only does he want to be an artist, but rather an inspiration to other aspiring artists who come from the same place as he does. This artist’s debut single “Boitsholo” was released on 01 August 2018 and has received a lot of positive feedback from those who have had the opportunity to listen to it. The song is about changing the perception that men are always expected to be fault-free. It’s about a man acknowledging his wrongs to his woman and seeking forgiveness for all the pain he inflicted. The song also seeks to encourage men to be brave enough to say “I am sorry”. Teba also has more music written in Sepedi for his future projects and anticipates his audience will be “wowed” by what he has to offer and bring into the Music industry. This particular song was nominated on 24th August 2018 under the category “Best Sepedi Afro Soul Artist/Group” for the first annual Sepedi Music Awards and on 23rd September 2018, Teba went on to win the Best Sepedi Afro Soul Artist at the Sepedi Music Awards Ceremony. Teba has now released a 5 track EP titled Ditaba tša lerato, the music is available for purchase and streaming on all digital platforms. The newly released EP consists of the following tracks: • Ke a go rata • Ga ke so mmone • Ke mo humane • Thabiso • Ditaba tša lerato With the release of his upcoming music, Teba aims to serenade his fans and grab the attention of more music lovers in the Province and country at large, and through all that, escalate his musical career to new heights.

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What is music to you? What does it give you?

Music to me is life. Music lives in every aspect of life, without it there would not be life. It is a universal language that only needs to be heard in order for it to be understood. Music relates to every little emotion in life and music can be used to describe and give meaning to any situation. For me, if there is one thing that can be used to change the world, it's music.

What is your music dream?

My music dream is to become a world renowned Sepedi Afro soul music ambassador.

If you could change the world - what would you start with?

If I could change the world, I would start with creating beautiful music that evokes feelings of love and peace among people and that is one of the things I am trying to achieve through my music.

Which is the most memorable song from your childhood?

The most memorable song from my childhood is Keith Sweat Twisted.

Who are your favorite musical artists or bands?

My favorite musical Artist is Semito

What inspires you to make music?

I am inspired by the things I wish to change, the things I want to achieve, the person I would like to be and the things I experience in life.

What is the message you want to send with your music?

I want to be an inspiration and motivator through my music. All I to achieve though my music is to touch lives and inspire people to love, laugh and do better.

How do you feel when you perform in front of an audience?

I feel like I am home when I am on stage. the stage for me is the one place where no worries or any problems exist. I forget about all the things that worry me.

How do you see the musicians’ reality nowadays? What could be improved?

These days it is not only about how good an artist can sing or perform, you need way more than than. You need good marketing and exposure and as artists, I think we should start thinking more along the lines of creating awareness for ourselves as musicians just as much as we concentrate on the singing.

What do you think of Drooble?

It is a wonderful platform for creating exposure and creating awareness about artists.

What frustrates you most as a musician?

People who do not value their musical talents

Do you support your local scene as a fan? How?

I do, I buy local music, attend concerts and also promote those artists that I like.

What qualities should a musician nowadays have in order to get their music heard by a larger audience?

You need good marketing and good PR

Share some awesome artists that we’ve never heard of.

Semito