Legendary South African icon, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, has opened up about how her music career started although her dream was to be a Chartered Accountant.
Coming from a family of three girls, Yvonne’s mother had wished her daughter to pursue a career in law. Chaka Chaka’s father died when she was 11 years old during the apartheid regime in South Africa, causing a financial burden for her family.
The “Umqombothi” hitmaker disclosed that at age 19 she had walked into a company owned by a white man and was desperately in search of a scholarship to study accounting at the University.
Little did she know that her musical career would begin in a very unexpected turn of events. “My mum wanted me to be a lawyer. Fast forward I ended up at Deform Revolt while I was going to look for a scholarship and it started like that,” the “Princess of Africa” said.
The 59-year-old with a music career spanning over three decades narrated that she was approached by a white man who asked her if she could sing as soon as she stepped into the company.
Although she declined to sing, Yvonne Chaka Chaka was handed a paper that contained the lyrics of her first-ever recorded song “I’m In Love With the DJ”.
She was asked to learn the lyrics of the song and return for a studio recording session the following week.
“The music was written for me. I had no idea of writing. I just found myself there and the song was written. Apparently, they had three ladies who tried the song, ‘I’m in Love with the DJ’ and when I eventually stepped foot in the company by mistake by the way, the white man said I saw the spark on your face.
“There were two of us. The lady who was invited was the one who didn’t get the job and I who was accompanying her, I did not even know her I met her for the very first time at the place where I was going to get the scholarship.”
Yvonne Chaka Chaka
According to Yvonne Chaka Chaka, she later learned the words of the song.
She revealed that she knew the song by heart, stating that while she was listening to the music, she didn’t know where she was supposed to sing.
“But he said listen to the music and try and sing it. I said what I was going to sing but eventually, when I got into the studio, I knew the words and that was it. A guy coached me to say this is how we want you to sing it…
“Eventually, they called me to come and listen to the song and I was like wow, so they said they were going to edit and do some mixes, and in the next two weeks, it’s going to be out.”
Yvonne Chaka Chaka
New to the music industry and had no idea of a prospective music career, Yvonne doubted the song was ever going to be released.
She did not expect that as a young girl, 19, at the time would have a song that would later become a hit all over the world. “I was like this is nonsensical, it’s never going to happen but in two weeks the song has sold 25,000 copies. I didn’t even know that this was going to last forever,” She added.
Yvonne Chaka Chaka’s career has spanned over three decades, with hits such as “Umqombothi”, “I’m Burning Up”, “Thank You Mr. DJ”, and her very first hit song “I’m in Love with the DJ”.
Musician Speaks About Success of African Musicians
Yvonne Chaka Chaka spoke about the successes that African musicians have chalked on the global music scene.
She mentioned the recent collaborations between African artists and other international music giants as an indication of the growth of music from the continent. “Now you see people like Usher and all of those wanting to collaborate with African artists. That’s a good thing,” Yvonne noted.
The music icon who was in Ghana for the African Legends Night also highlighted the evolution of African music.
“I think music should evolve. When I started in 1985, I was 19 years old, and music was totally different. We had people like Miriam Makeeba, Hugh Masekela, and all other African artists, and music has changed. There was Kwaito music in South Africa and now there is Amapiano.”
Yvonne Chaka Chaka
Yvonne was one of the headline acts for the 2024 African Legends Night at the Grand Arena on October 5.
The global music icon was joined by an esteemed lineup that includes Okyeame Kwame, George Jahraa, and Adane Best.
The legendary musician noted that she was happy to be on the same stage with other African music colossi.
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