Kelly Khumalo seems to be entering a different realm in her career as she celebrates her album going gold.
The birthday celebration was coordinated to commend every one of the successes Kelly’s melodies accomplished lately.
This week Khumalo received an announcement from her record label Universal Music Group that her The Voice of Africa (TVOA) album went gold. While three songs on the album – Empini, Esiphambaweni featuring Hlengiwe Mhlaba and Ngathwalangaye – went platinum.
At an exclusive media luncheon at the Ukko restaurant in Bryanston on Thursday, Khumalo opened up about her latest achievement and preparations for her new album and concert.
Wearing a brown leather coat and brown dress with her hair sleeked back in a low ponytail she seemed comfortable with media while filming for the new season of Life with Kelly Khumalo.
About the three songs on her album that reached platinum, she said: “Actually, for the first time, I deserve it. I worked damn hard. Funny enough, I was happy with what I got last year. I thought, God, I wasn’t expecting much, but you gave me so much. But when God gave more, I was shocked. I was like, dude, I thought you were done. It is mind-blowing but also very humbling.”
She explained that the achievement keeps her grounded and motivated to work even harder.
“Because now I have to live up to the TVOA pressure. My team and I worked on this album. It was the easiest to record. I wasn’t even too sure. I asked Mondli [producer] if he was sure, and he nodded yes,” she said.
Khumalo shared that she did not write any of the songs on the album but allowed the producers to guide her through what their vision was.
“I just wanted to experience myself through the eyes of a producer. Because I’ve been writing and doing things, this time I said, ‘no, Kelly, step back’. Allow someone to paint a picture of you and see yourself through their eyes.”
The Asine singer said the album’s artwork was a spiritual journey that required her to cut her hair and paint her skin black.
The Sama winner is set to release a new album in August.
Khumalo said she would not compare her last album with the one in the pipeline. “I am a woman of God. Anything I do will eventually succeed. I am not comparing. I am just putting myself out there and putting my best work out there. Same effort if not more and trust that the universe will give me back what is rightfully mine.”
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She added: “I have never been the one to live up to people’s expectations, and I’ve never been the one to want to please people. I live my life the best way I can.”
The mother of two addressed the recent Twitter trends about her son’s alleged expulsion; she said, “first of all, I will not glorify that with an answer because I trust myself as a mom,” she continued, “I trust myself as an individual, and I trust my choice. Whatever they see and feel, that’s their business. They should not make it mine.
Khumalo will be hosting a concert with her friends at the Meriting Events Centre in the Vaal on 28 May.
