Middelburg’s Njabulo Shongwe (Caswell SA) is a multifaceted artist making waves with his blend of poetry and music. In a recent interview with Bars n Rhymes Magazine, he opens up about his journey, the influence of poetry on his music, and the impact he’s had on his hometown and beyond.
He started as a poet, performing at school assemblies and winning the hearts of his peers. He then ventured into creating an acapella group where he beatboxed and sang, even occasionally trying his hand at both. The group garnered attention and bookings for weddings, which eventually led to the establishment of “Travel Power Records,” an endeavour that included a band, record label and podcasts.
His early success set the stage for his music career, with his debut single Wantlatsa becoming a sensation in high schools around his hometown. How his love for poetry transformed into a passion for music and radio. “Poetry is music. I loved singing so it was easy for me to come up with songs because I was used to writing poems, doing music was easy hence none of my released songs were written but rather freestyles that’s all because of the impact of poetry,” he says.
Caswell SA – Salukazi (Official Audio).
Coming from a sales background he has managed to leverage his work experience in retail, including selling fragrances, to establish a relationship with a diverse array of people with many of his customers
later becoming his loyal fanbase. Much like his sales background, his high school popularity also had a profound impact on his career.
His time in the acappella group exposed him to various music genres. The experience encouraged him to experiment with different musical styles, even challenging himself to try new genres.
“My early days influenced my career in a very positive way because most of my fans are people who liked me from high school. They believed in me since then to this day still cheering me on. So, I can say it was a beautiful foundation.”
His music, influenced by genres like Soulful, AfroSoul, and RnB, often features love songs infused with poetic depth, a sound that resonates with a broad audience.
Caswell SA.
In 2017 he was hospitalised marking a difficult time in his life and career, “God is amazing I should say. I believe my experience in the hospital played a huge role in my music career because some of my hit songs drew attention from that experience. Surviving gave me a reason to make use of every chance I get and make use of every little moment to ensure everything I ever wished for becomes reality like my music career.”
His single Wantlatsa was more than just a catchy tune; it served as a turning point in his career. The song gained widespread recognition and played a significant role in his journey as an artist.
“The inspiration behind this single was I was in love with this lady who never paid attention to my moves that’s how it came about, this gave me a lot of exposure, especially in school, I was that guy who had a song which was something impressive to others who also wished they could have music of their own,” states Caswell SA.
Caswell SA’s journey includes performing alongside notable artists such as Aubrey Qwane. These opportunities allowed him to connect with fellow musicians, gain valuable insights, and broaden his network within the industry.
The Famba Leyena singer has collaborated with international artists from Nigeria and Ghana which has extended his reach beyond South Africa. “I believe a hit song doesn’t depend on language if your music is good then it is good. People will listen and try to understand the song regardless of the language,” says Caswell SA.
His musical influencers Berita, Zahara, and Ed Sheeran, have not only resonated with his tone but also inspired him to learn to play the acoustic guitar. “Currently I am working on a single titled Inhliziyo collaborating with Dosline and Mr Dopest. I am also pushing my latest single which features DJ Coach and Pro Error Ntozini. While running the Caswell SA Music Experience a club-to-club tour across South Africa.
“Music can connect people from different backgrounds. My goal is to share my life experiences and make my audience relate to my music.”