Joe Alex 
Q&A with Sami Kay
What are your real names? Samkelo Mbala
Where you were born? I was born in Gauteng in Germiston at the hospital called Bertha Gxowa Hospital
Which year you were born? I was born in the year of 2004 on August the 16th.
Number of siblings? I have 4 siblings, 3 big sisters and 1 big brother
Anyone else does music in the family? My elder brother introduced me to music when I was still schooling in Primary. He was an aspiring Hip-Hop and Kwaito artist and through him I got introduced to studios, beat making, and stage performances by watching him grind.
Where were you raised? Like Kwesta, I come from Katlehong. My siblings and I were raised by our mom in in the small township named Palm Ridge in Katlehong, East of Gauteng.
What schools did you attend? I attended my primary school at Realeboha Primary School where I started my Grade 1 up until Grade 7. I then went to Eden Ridge Secondary School from Grade 8 up until I matriculated.
When was the first time you discovered you could sing? In Primary school I was once forced to stay behind after classes to rehearse with the school choir. Over time started enjoying singing and choir became my favourite extramural. I later discovered that I was passionate about this music thing and could even write my own songs.
When was your first time in the studio? My first time in the studio was the year of 2018 when my brother took me with to a recording studio. I was fascinated by the machinery, the ability to record your voice multiple times, leading and backing yourself, and seeing the song move from paper to mic to CD. I immediately fell in love with the studio environment.
Who is your inspiration (locally and internationally)? Locally I am inspired by the Amapiano artists who are soulful. The likes of Aymos and Young Stunna are my favourites. Internationally, it is Afrobeats artist Rema, Rugar, and AyraStar who inspire me.
Why record AmaPiano? I love Amapiano as a genre because it is authentically South African. Amapiano connect to South Africans as well because the lyrics and culture around it speak to the township people. I also feel that it is broad because it has multiple sub-genres from ratchet to soulful and private school. I also resonate with Bolo Piano because it sounds like South Africa’s pop music of the 80s which was called bubble-gum. All in all, AmaPiano is a powerful genre which has lifted may from hunger too.
Which artists have you collaborated with? I have recorded songs with Cleo Ice Queen, OK Malum Cool KaT, TBO, Msongi, Mashudu, Mthakathi Kush, and my producer and DJ, the award winning MSA.
What is your success formula? My success formula is a system called GCAS whereby the alphabets represent the following: G stands for Goal, F stands for Focus, C stands for Consistency and my S stands for success. I apply GCAS on my studies, personal life and in my music hustle.
How was the song Shona created? Shona’s creation was magical. I had a melody in my mind for a few months and when I heard the Shona instrumental for the very first time, played by my producer MSA, I knew it was perfect for the melody and lyrics I had. Our executive producer Liso Simubali then suggested a duet, we then called ilovelethu to join us since we had always wanted to do something together. Zayno XIII also happened to visit our studio. She heard, liked the song and hummed another melody which I liked and within minutes we asked her to record her verse as well. By the end of the night we were testing the song with a crowd at a club and everyone loved it.
What is Shona about? “Shona Malanga” which is Zulu for “sun go down” figuratively relates to an end of a romantic relationship, with ‘the sun of joy’ in the relationship suddenly setting. This bitter-sweet love song sees the male love interest expressing to his partner how he needs to let her go although she’s the love of his life. The female, love interest then responds by giving reasons why they should not separate, showing him how strong their bond is, as well as refusing to give up on their love.
Why is Shona such a special record? Shona is such a special record because its beautifully written, it carries a strong instrumental enjoyable on its own and carries powerful poetic lyrics. The vocalists on the song Sami Kay, Zayno XIII and ilovelethus are all teenagers who brought their A game vocally to create soulful melodies which matches the powerful message that resonates to the young and old.
How are you promoting Shona? The music video is shot and will premiere on all major music television channels. Many SABC radio stations are already playing the song and we are embarking on a shisa-nyama and car-wash tour in April to promote it. It’s going to be everywhere, just watch.
What are your short/long term aspirations? In the short term I want to complete my undergraduate degree, as I am at university, while I continue releasing more hot tracks like “Shona”. In the long term, I see myself owning my own brand of private schools, while having enjoyed a successful music career, touring, performing, collaborating with renowned musicians, and collecting multiple local and international awards.
What community upliftment projects are you involved in? I’m involved in education sponsoring a few school kids with uniform. During our Shona Shisa-Nyama and Car Wash Tour we will be asking patrons to bring or buy schools shoes and sanitary pads when attending our shows. The aim is to collect at least 500 school shoes for primary school kids.
Any encouragement to those who look up to you? Believe in yourself, believe in your unique strengths and talents, and stay in school. I can’t stress enough, stay in school.
Follow the Artists:
Sami’Kay: @thereal_samikay
SALM TEAM 
Dj Chilu 
