Before singer, songwriter and performer Mthandazo Gatya got his big break in the industry, he had been working tirelessly for a decade to get noticed.
This and many other interesting facts about the award-winning singer was shared during a recent episode of the “Behind The Brand” podcast, hosted by Cici.
During the interview the award-winning artist, who got the opportunity to collaborate with R&B sensation, John Legend, said that he made many mistakes during his earlier days when trying to break into the industry.
“Certain decisions I took were a little bit premature ... I quit a lot of jobs, I gave up everything for the music because it’s the only place where I felt that I wanted to be.
“At some point I was a soccer player. I thought I could be a professional soccer player, but looking at everything I tried, music was the one thing I knew I excelled at ... I just kept pressing and having hope that I will get my big break.”
The artist shared that the decade of going unnoticed was the toughest time in his life.
“In the process I was neglected by a lot of people. I remember being disowned by the family. I was raised by my extended family because my mom passed away when I was a kid and my dad has always been absent.
“My family felt the pressure, they wanted me to work because I was a grown man but I wanted to sing ... I do understand the pressure they felt, I am not angry at them and I’ve accept and made peace with it.”
The “In 2 U” hitmaker opened up about working with Legend, saying that it happened because of the power of manifestation.
“I released a song prior to that moment basically saying to the universe that this is what I want, and at that time not much was happening.
“I was still a local artist. I’ve always been very positive about my journey, like I’d look at Chris Brown and just see myself, so for me, I always say that these are answers to all the prayers for all these years.”
He continued to relay the way in which all of it played out.
“John Legend sent a certain company to reach out because he was booked by that company in South Africa. I remember my manager got a call at midnight asking for my schedule to be cleared because this is big for my career.
“So my manager did that. No real details where given ... It was meant to be a secret until John legend left the country.”
Gatya said that he arrived at the venue under the impression that he was just performing at an ordinary corporate event.
“Then they told me what’s actually happening. They said that John Legend is in the country, he’s here actually as we speak, he wants to meet you and he wants to perform with you ... I was shaking, but I just prayed the whole time. I couldn’t believe it.”
He said Legend was warm and welcoming and made him understand the value he had added on the song, “Nervous”.
“Right after the (social media) challenge, the original song became big in the country, it started climbing up charts, John Legend started trending, so he appreciated me ... It was a great moment, I can’t forget it,” said Gatya.
Since that special moment, Gatya has gone on to collaborate with many artists in Mzansi and around the world.
He has also had other opportunities that he was unable to disclose yet.
“I have so much that has happened. One being, that very same song has been remixed by Black Coffee so it’s yet to be released, so it’s John Legend, Black Coffee and myself.
“I am also doing a lot of international collaborations and there is so much that’s coming.”
Watch the full episode here: