Third time’s the charm for local songstress

After years in the shadows crafting her music career, musician Lungi Naidoo is poised for a major industry takeover this summer.

Along with Universal Music Group, Naidoo is set to release her newest 10-track dance album titled Black Diamond, having worked on it with a number of industry heavyweights.

The stunning single Falling featuring Black Coffee – an energetic track peppered with tribal beats and a relentless arrangement – is the first single to be offered to fans. The pair reunited once more on Away With Me, a light summer hit which is also musically rich and boasts an unmistakable tribal influence.Naidoo goes out of her vocal range and dabbles in a Pan-African sound with the west-African Uzobuya produced by Bobstar. She shows her vocal range versatility and delves deeper against a backdrop of lively dance beats.

The young musician from KwaZulu-Natal grew up on a farm where she was obsessed with the beautiful sunrises and sunsets. Naidoo always knew that she would sing, which is why she headed straight to Johannesburg to pursue her dream after she matriculated. It turned out to be a long and arduous road before hitting the big time.

The musician released two unsuccessful albums independently and struggled to find her footing in the competitive music industry.

Naidoo then did background vocals for Loyiso Bala and the late Lebo Mathosa, an experience she said was her ‘music varsity’.

She still keeps a positive attitude about the challenges she faced. “It had to happen for one to understand that it’s not easy. I was willing to take the beating,” she said.

Naidoo also runs The Lungi Foundation, a non-governmental organisation which supplies food and uniforms to vulnerable children in about 20 primary schools. She also appears in the forthcoming film Vaya directed by Akin Omotoso.

Having paid her dues, there is no stopping the songstress.

“It’s impossible to be a one-hit wonder now. I have an amazing team around me. I will remain grounded and not caught up by the hype. My life is changing and I understand this journey more. And having done this before, this time feels different,” she concluded.

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