Introducing The Genre-Bending Storyteller… Mwanjé

Filled with soulful and nourishing lyrics, Mwanjé is a rising talent that needs your attention. Growing up, the young creative consumed an eclectic catalogue of artists and genres, including Janet Jackson, Gospel, Whitney Houston, and Mariah Carey. However, after moving from Botswana to Australia, Mwanjé began to traverse through new music scenes that would further push her destiny to become a singer-songwriter. 

After spending some time honing her craft, the 23-year-old made her official debut with the spiritual 2019 single ‘The Divine’. Backed by a fluid sonic style of alternative R&B, neo-soul, jazz and spoken word poetry, Mwanjé delivered a reflective story that explored the mind and heart. Her latest single, ‘Wildones’, which features her sister Sampa The Great, continues to showcase her innovative artistry while also serving as a prelude to what’s to come. 

With the music video for ‘Wildones’ making the rounds and her forthcoming EP release around the corner, Mwanjé is wasting no time in making her mark in the music sphere. We were able to chat with the singer-songwriter about everything from her latest single, working with Sampa The Great, her goals as an artist, and so much more. Read the full interview below.

For anyone that hasn’t heard any of your music yet, how would you describe Mwanjé in 3 simple words?

Creative, Innovative, Soulful.

Taking it back a bit, can you remember the first time in your life when you became interested in music?

My life has always been filled with music. At home, school and in church. I always wanted to become a singer but it seemed so far off. When I moved to Melbourne, I caught a glimpse of the array of musical expressions and scenes. Soon after, I got to experience life on stage with my sister. That spark was reignited.

What sounds filled the house when you were growing up and how do you think those moments have inspired and shaped you into the artist you are in 2022.  

I grew up in a Christian household, so my early childhood consisted of a lot of gospel music which inspired me to sing in church at about 7 or 8. Apart from that, I vividly remember watching Janet Jackson’s ‘The velvet rope’ concert on VHS about a million times with my sisters. That was my first glimpse at curating a show and the many parts that contribute to an amazing end product. Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey and Celine Dion were some of the amazing voices that I grew up listening to.

You have an incredible range – was there a standout moment in which you realised that you could sing so well?

I knew I could sing well when I won a school singing competition at the age of 6. As my confidence grew and I gained more experience, people would tell me that my voice would make them cry or that they found it very soothing. I’ve always felt that having the ability to affect people in that way was very sacred and powerful. I try to stay true to that.

We absolutely adore your latest single, ‘Wildones’! What was the inspiration behind the dreamy lyrics? 

Thank you! Wildones was written during a very expansive period of my life. I had recently turned 21 and was a few tracks into the EP. I was balancing uni and singing background vocals for my sister, all while finally being brave enough to create my own project. Subconsciously, I believe that inspired the message of the duality of youth and wisdom. Wildones expresses the notion of carving your own path while being guided by the wisdom that has been passed down to you. In typical Mwanjé fashion, I was quite cryptic with it but upon a closer look, it’s a loud and truthful message many can relate to.

You also worked with your sister, Sampa the Great, on the track. What was that dynamic like for you two?

Wildones was initially a very free-flowing track, after workshopping it with my production team (Kuzich and Cam Parkin), we had a change of direction and added a more hip-hop bounce to the track. Sampa and I often play our music for each other, seeking advice and feedback. As soon as she heard it, she said she had to be on the song and we made it happen!

We also need to talk about the tracks accompanying the music video. What messages or themes did you want to showcase throughout the visual? 

Afrocentricity, Fashion, Freedom, Transcendence, Euphoria, Joy, Art. I wanted a visual that captured all of the above. Accompanied by the message of the song, the visual expresses African mysticism in a more positive light. It showed the purity and drive to live and express.

With ‘Wildones’ officially making the rounds, can you give us a sneak peek into future music releases you have planned?  

I’m usually quite hush-hush about the things I’m working on! BUT – My next single focuses more on my external reality as opposed to my internal reality seen in Wildones. It’s a beautiful track that was spontaneous from start (production) to finish (music video). I’m looking forward to speaking more on this one when I release it to the world.

Looking ahead, what are some of the long time goals you want to achieve as an artist? 

Growing up, I knew I wanted to see an artist who reflected who I am. Black, African and a woman. There’s someone for everyone, and I seek to be the reflection that a young African singer/musician sees to validate their dreams. I love all things fashion, art and beauty as an expressive outlet, so venturing into those worlds is a goal of mine. I also have a deep passion for mental health and wellness, as a psychology and sociology student I sought to understand myself and others a lot more. I have dreams of contributing to the effort of providing safe and reliable help and resources to everyone, especially within black/African communities, where such issues are often stigmatised and minimised.

Make sure to check out Mwanjé latest music video for her track ‘Wildones’ below.