IMBALI Unit 15 afrobeats artist Potha Canklin will host his first concert at the Pulse Lounge on Boshoff Street to promote his single 2012 on July 28 from 1 pm till late.
The afrobeats, dancehall, kwaito and pop producer, whose real name is Sanele Mthembu, said he wants to use his concert to promote his upcoming project, an extended play (EP), and a single that was released in April.
Mthembu said he also wants to use the opportunity to bring local artist together.
“I will be performing all my music that is on my upcoming EP. I want to promote it before I release it. I started doing this project in 2016 but I was just waiting for the right time to release it.
“I have always dreamt about releasing my own music but I did not want to rush it without being sure that it is good music that people will enjoy.
“Now that afrobeats is being loved so much I think it will work in my favour in order for me to break into the music industry.
I want to do big things for Pietermaritzburg people, I want to uplift the entertainment and take it to the next level. I am determined to work very hard until I achieve that,” he said.
Mthembu said he got his talent from his family as everyone is musical and can sing. He said his wish is for local artists to get along and be able to work together.
“We are all artists, there is no need for us to hate each other or ill-treat each other. If we all work together we will go far and put our city on the map. There is a lot of talent in Pietermaritzburg,” he said.
The artist said he draws a lot of inspiration from his humble life, which he says is behind his empathy and confidence in making music.
“One thing that brought me to music was me wanting to take my family out of the struggle through music.
“They had begged me to release music from 2011 as I had the potential to help my family then, but I wanted to better myself musically first before I took music further.”
Mthembu said it was when he started spending time around producers like Lucky Lekuka, gaining first-hand knowledge, that he began teaching himself music production and developed skills in less than two years. As a result of his efforts, most, if not all, music in his name is produced and written by himself.
Tickets cost R50. People can purchase tickets via Whatsapp on 082 342 7425 or call 065 967 4593.