Celani Malinga, also known as Celza, is a multi-talented young star with a great ear for music and a very strong passion for the industry. Born in Mtubatuba, KwaZulu-Natal on 14 November 1995, alongside his twin brother Vumelani Malinga. In the year 2015, he began his musical career. His father [Muzomuhle Malinga] was a major member of the isicathamiya ensemble uMtuba Thulisa Brothers, therefore music has always been a part of him.
Celani attended UJ to study Bio-Medical Chemistry but was unable to complete his studies due to financial constraints. In 2015, he met Gcina Vabaza, a friend who introduced him to the world of music production, a profession for which he is now well recognized.
We had a virtual chat with Celza about what he’s been up to and how he plans to take over the music industry.
Hello everybody! Welcome back to our super exciting weekly #LAChats interviews here on Le’Afrinique! This week we’re super excited to have the very talented Celza Inja ka gogo as a guest! Celza Inja ka gogo – welcome Cela Inja ka gogo. Let’s get into the interview!
To someone who’s introduced to you for the first time, how would you introduce yourself and what you do?
[CELZA]: I’m a very young multi-talented, passionate, focused musician as a (producer, singer, songwriter, studio vocal coach and sound designer for film) known as CeLza InjaKagogo who produced one of the (Inkabi Record’s) hit-song titled Umuzi Esandton by Big Zulu featuring Lwah Ndlunkulu. My real name is Celani Malinga originally from Mtubatuba in KZN and currently based in Germiston of Johannesburg.
Take us back to your childhood. What was it like? When was the moment you first fell in love with music and what made you decide to pursue it as a professional career?
[CELZA]: I started making music around 2016 when I met a friend Gcina Vabaza. He is the one who actually introduced me to music production and gave me a few basics on how to make beats on a DAW called (fruity Loops). I was born into a music family. I guess we inherited it from my father who happened to be a lead member of a very famous and well-travelled Isicathamiya music group called Mtuba Thulisa Brothers.
You ended the year 2022 with your project Injakagogo Studio Tour . Tell us more about the inspiration behind this Album, its name and the story behind the cover artwork. Also touch on who they worked with to create the project (why them, what their contribution was, how their contribution made the project what it is).
[CELZA]: Before the year 2022 ended I realised I have met a lot of great musicians after my breakthrough of producing Umuzi Esandton’s hit song which put me on the spot of working with amazing producers, and vocalists who are known for big songs in the music industry like (Imali Eningi, Paris, Isiginci, Umuzi Esandton, Voicemail and more). I loved how unique musicians can be from one another with their styles of making music, So that’s exactly what inspired me to start InjaKagogo Studio Tour Album where I was visiting different studios, producers and vocalists just to fuse my style of making music with their particular sound in order to create hit songs for our people. I have worked with a lot of great musicians on this project in order to make it a successful album, like:
-Lwah Ndlunkulu ( Umuzi Esandton Hit maker)
-MduduziNcube (Isiginci Hit maker)
-L.A Beatz (Imali Eningi Producer)
-Mbzet (Legend Producer for Zakwe, Duncan & Big Zulu)
-Taffy Da Don ( Paris producer) Amapiano hit song
-Siya Ntuli, TouchLine, Anzo (Islwane) and more
What do you consider a highlight in your career so far?
[CELZA]: The most powerful step that made my brand stand out and get great exposure to the music industry was the opportunity to produce one of the Inkabi Records hit song Umuzi Esandton which made people believe more in my music career and recognise InjaKagogo as a brand. A huge step that I have never imagined it happening soon in my music career was when I got the opportunity to visit the UK along with Gigi Lamayne for a few performances that played a huge impact in adding more value to my brand when no one expected it to happen.
What are you still learning in your musical journey? Any advice for rising talent that would want to follow in your footsteps?
[CELZA]: My advise to the rising talent would be, Always be patient, keep moving, believe in your craft, and never compare yourself to others rather stay focused on improving yourself as an artist or a brand and it’s all about timing everything is possible.
If Afro Pop was a superhero, what powers would it have?
[CELZA]: I would say Afro-Pop is a very open, polite and cultural genre that allows us as musicians to touch our people’s hearts. This genre brings out the best of us as it connects us with our ancestors, God and roots. In this genre, we sing about love, pain, peace, forgiveness, God, trust,
hope and more importantly about life and its challenges.
Which new artist’s music have you been listening to a lot this year?
[CELZA]: I have worked with almost all the Inkabi Nation artists (Big Zulu, Lwah Ndlunkulu, Mduduzi Ncube and Xowla), Azana, TouchLine, Ze2, Mzukulu, Jaiva Zimnike, Sleeze, Sjava and more.
Any plans for this year that fans can look out for?
[CELZA]: The focus this year is to make Celza InjaKagogo one of the SA’s biggest brands in the music industry by giving our people more music, videos, and interviews and having more music playing on both radio and TV. My people should expect my upcoming EP which will be titled “Khetha” consisting of 6 tracks. Khetha music video will be shot in May this year.
And that’s a wrap! A BIG THANK you to our guest Celza Inja ka gogo for taking the time to hang out with us. We appreciate it!
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