More than a decade after receiving an affirming letter from her school principal after matric, Port Elizabeth-born singer Xolisa Mvula – known as Lady X – could not be prouder now that she has released her debut album.
When Lady X matriculated at Grahamstown’s Diocesan School for Girls in 2005, her principal attached a touching letter to her report card.
It read: “There’s a lot of things I don’t know about the future, but the one thing I know about you and your future is that music is your destiny and I can’t wait to watch you create something phenomenal with your voice.”
That was enough motivation for the Mvula to sing her heart out for a living.
“I cried when I read it and went to Jo’burg and said ‘let’s do this’... I’ve always known [I could do it] but when you read such things, you’re always reminded that things will be alright,” Lady X said.
Her debut album Love. Life. Complicated introduces music lovers to her new afro-soul side, giving listeners a look at talents completely different from what she normally sings. Although Lady X sang in a jazz band in high school, she cut her teeth in house music with her single with DJ Mo Flava’s single Xivumba.
The vocalist said she felt like she was stepping into her authentic self.
“For me, afro-soul is all the genres I love – it’s jazz but it’s blues [and] you can make it your kind of R’n’B and that’s what I do with my music.
“I want to become iconic and I believe I can do that through afro-soul and its authentically South African sound,” she said.
On the album she features her four-piece live band, who she said were all amazing to perform with.
“I’ve always dreamt of performing on big stages with a live band and the best way to express myself not only as a Xhosa woman but as a musician, is through afro-soul.”
In Love. Life. Complicated she explores life in love and its complications and is convinced most women will relate to it as she has dug into her soul to deliver her most authentic truth.
“Each song tells a story about the complications, yet also the beauty of love and life. “People relate to authenticity and something real and to open yourself up the way I have isn’t easy but it becomes easier when it’s the truth of so many women that I know,” she said
Born in New Brighton, Lady X attended Willow Academy in Port Elizabeth before matriculating at DSG, and now is based in Johannesburg.
Just like she was inspired to pursue her career wholeheartedly, she hopes to inspire young girls in Port Elizabeth not only through music but by delivering motivational talks in schools.
“It saddens me to hear so many girls in PE say they feel like they don’t have a future and I want to visit some schools and encourage themthat they can do it,” she said.
Love. Life. Complicated is available on digital and physical music stores countrywide.