Marley’s career is on the right track

Marley Planga

Having launched his solo career, Khayelitsha artist Marley Planga is preparing to wow music lovers with his new offering.

The former manager of top Khayelitsha spaza group, Backyard Crew, is hoping to impress all music lovers irrespective of their genre.

He managed Backyard Crew between 2005 to 2012 and went solo after two of the group members passed on in 2012.

That was a huge blow to him and he started going back to guitar playing and songwriting.

Ahead of the launch of his new offering, The Marley Planga Project, Izolo which he dropped recently, Marley has no regrets about having taken his own route in the music industry.

The project has a mix of genres and he collaborated with different artists. He believes that is what makes it different and better. “I wanted to embrace all the genres. I wanted to broaden the horizon on the market. I have managed to do that,” he said.

But, he has admitted that pursuing his career was not easy. He has had his fair share of challenges, among which is having to distribute and sell his own music. “It is not easy, especially when you do have a budget. It is tough these days because people download music and stream. But we have to up our game. We have to do hard copies for those who want them. But I must say it is tough,” he said.

His career as a writer and producer of spaza music groups up until he cut his first album, Ndombelele was also successful. His first album did well in the market although he feels it could have done better.

But pursuing a solo career has been his lifelong dream. “The journey has got me excited. The industry has never been easy but I am making strides. That is what makes me continue with the music. I also love my people hence I am making them feel happy using my music.

“In one of the songs I collaborated with my 7-year-old daughter, Sisipho Melodi Gush. That alone is an achievement.

“Yes, I am looking forward to taking my whole repertoire to people out there,” he told Vukani.

The 15-song album also features Yamkela Mqikela, Phoenix Backyard and Nosiphiwo Ezamaqadi Mbedu and Siyabonga Mbaba.

The album is available at some music stores or through Marley who can be contacted on 073 331 2949 or 083 515 4914 or via email on Marley.BMP@gmail.com

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