10 Questions For: Toya Delazy

As one of South Africa’s brightest stars, Toya DeLazy has been tearing up the charts and winning award after award. Her albums Due Drop and Ascension were incredibly well received and her music is an eclectic mix of jazz, pop and electro. The SAMA-winning hitmaker is also known for her unique style, so it comes as no surprise that the likes of Reebok and Legit have cashed in on her edgy appeal. 

1. How would you describe what you do for a living?

I'm an entertainer, I'm a pianist, singer, producer, composer, and I make music which people enjoy to have as ambiance or when they are going wild for the night or when they cry. I cater for people's musical needs, I have always considered music medicinal melody for the soul, that’s what I do, I bring the vibe.

2. What is your most vivid childhood memory?
Learning how to swim in grade one.

3. If you could invite any three people, dead or alive, for dinner, who would they be and why?
Amy Winehouse, my mother and a comedian to laugh at like Will Ferrell. Amy is cool and I think I would enjoy the conversations we would get into, my mom was just the most amazing person and she enjoyed a good laugh. Will Ferrell would be the guy we’re laughing at, he would be there solely for our entertainment.

4. If you ever found yourself auditioning for a music reality TV show, what song would you sing and why?

Yes!!! I auditioned for Popstars a year before I got signed by Sony Music Africa. I never made it through and I am glad for the judges PJ Powers, Azania and Zwai Bala. They basically told me I was too unique and that I must go start a band rather. I performed Bubbly by Collie Cailate

It's always better to choose a song that gives you space to breathe and release your voice, not too high, and also real lyrics that can be associated to the situation.

5. The South African cabinet should include a Minister of _______________________.
Education, but for real this time.

6. What would you say is the biggest misconception about you?

I think the biggest misconception is that I made it into the industry with the help of my family background and my surname. In varsity, I changed my surname to Boetelaiz so no one even knew about me. My family made me do it by myself to ensure that it’s really what I wanted, not just a phase.

7. What is your (honest) opinion of Cape Town?
I lived in Camps Bay, it’s beautiful, but the hood is quite stuck up. I could go into detail about what I have endured, but out of respect, I would rather advise them (the residents) to be more open minded about different cultures and people – it’s an education thing. Luckily, Camps Bay is not all that Cape Town is about. Cape Town is about beauty, international visitors swarming in all year round increasing the probability of cross cultural encounters, which I believe keeps the city youthful. Without diversity, it would be an old age home by the beach. It's hard to make friends in Cape Town, peeps tend to form cliques but once you make a friend it’s real. As a country girl, I was soothed by the way the Cape respects nature and values it. It becomes a part of your life and soothing for the spirit. It’s a great place for anyone needing to step out of the rat race for a breather.

8. What's the greatest fear you've had to overcome to get where you are today?
Thinking I wasn't good enough. We were never meant to be anything anyway, yet, like the creator that created us, our course inevitably is to create. Believing in myself helped me create the music I do today. Instead of questioning myself, I believed in myself as many things take self-belief away from us, yet that’s the one thing we should never let go of.

9. What's the one thing you'd like to achieve before you die?
When people think of me, they will feel courage to let their light shine and not conceal their true nature. It’s all about free living, and not being red taped and gagged by societal opinions. My children, my fans and the family I make one day will continue this legacy. One day, I wish to be part of the team that introduces the first free schooling education system in South Africa

10. Which well-known South African personality would you, without a doubt, be able to beat in a street fight and why?
Carl Wastie, because I'm taller than him and he is so sweet. I honestly don't think he can throw punches.

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ABOUT #CapeTownMag10Q:

CapeTownMagazine.com’s 10 Questions project gets to know some of the Mother City’s most creative and inspiring people. From television personalities and musicians to politicians and entrepreneurs, we find out more about well-known and up-and-coming Capetonians. You can follow #CapeTownMag10Q on Twitter and Facebook to track recent interviews or read more here about our other awesome 10 Questions candidates. 

A FEW OF OUR OTHER 10Q CANDIDATES:

10 Questions For Music Blogger Tecla Ciolfi 

10 Questions For Performer Grant Almirall

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