Bataung Moeketsi
RNB songstress Maya Mpiti hopes to one day make waves on the global stage so that she may perform on bigger platforms and work with international acts.
Her debut song If I Were You was released in 2017 followed by Déjà Vu (2017), Issues (2018), Please (2019) and Hangover (2020).
Maya told the Xpress People on Friday that her music has garnered positive responses which are driving her to pursue her dream of becoming an established international artiste.
“The reception to my music has been humbling,” Maya said.
“The highlight of my career was when one of our local radio stations hosted Cassper Nyovest and played him a cover that I made for his song Malome.
“From the sound of his voice I could tell he was very excited about it as he gave me some encouraging words and said he wished more artistes would do cover versions of his music as I had. He also wished me well in my music career.”
Born Tikoe Retšelisitsoe Antonia Mpiti in Sea Point, Maya is the daughter of a chicken farmer and a driver.
She went to Methodist High School and is set to complete her final year of a Bachelor of Science degree in General Nursing and Midwifery at the National University of Lesotho in September 2020.
Maya says she has always been an average student and that her favourite subjects were Biology, Physical Science, Math and French.
“Growing up I had a dream of being a medical doctor,” Maya said.
She said that after releasing her debut song and working with Homebrewed Entertainment, she realised that she could easily become a professional musician.
“I became passionate about music when I was able to sing along to Beyonce’s songs but I realised I could become a professional musician after releasing If I Were You in 2017.
“Before that, I had been trying to get myself a record deal but my efforts had been in vain. I believe it wasn’t my turn yet.”
The 23-year-old has since worked with the likes of Lesotho’s most recent musical export and South African label Ambitiouz Records signee, Malome Vector. She has also worked with Yemba Shungu, MJ Elphy and The Lyrical Potheads.
In 2017, Maya was nominated in the Best Female Artiste and Best Newcomer categories at the Ultimate Music Awards.
Her latest single, Hangover, was released on 27 April 2020. On the track produced by iSmoke on the Beats, Maya talks about “a love hangover which one gets from loving and being loved back”.
Also a hairdresser, Maya is currently working on an extended play (EP) dubbed Jupiter which she intends to release in November this year.
“The EP I will be talking about love as a whole, including the heartbreaks and joyful moments that it comes with.”
She hopes to one day perform on global platforms and dreams of opening doors for other local artistes.
“The goals that I have set for myself include performing at shows such as Sofar Sounds and A Colors Show. By then, I hope to have worked with the likes of Cassper Nyovest, Nasty C and Elaine.
“I am working towards opening doors for my fellow artistes and make people aware that there is excess talent in Lesotho,” Maya said.
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