Asanda Lusaseni Mvana, better known as Msaki, was born on 1988, is a skilled composer, vocalist, and lyricist from South Africa.
Hailing from East London, she cultivated a love for music at a young age.
In 2008, at the age of 20, she kickstarted her musical journey as a member of an alternative rock band while pursuing her education in college.
FACTS ABOUT MSAKI
- FULL NAME: Asanda Lusaseni Mvana
- DATE OF BIRTH: 1988
- PLACE OF BIRTH: East London, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- NATIONALITY: South African
- OCCUPATIONS: Singer, Songwriter, Composer
- LABELS: One Shushu Day Artistry
EARLY LIFE AND EDUCATION
Born in 1988 in East London, Asanda Lusaseni Mvana has a family background rich in music, with a DJ father and a composer grandmother.
She attended Cathcart High School and briefly studied at Nelson Mandela University before pursuing a Master of Fine Arts degree at Rhodes University.
CAREER
In 2008, Mvana joined the alternative rock group The Patience in East London and later performed with the electro-experimental band Johnny Cradle in Cape Town.
She also served as a guitarist and lead vocalist for the duo Kate and I in Grahamstown.
Msaki broadened her musical knowledge by attending a music school in North Carolina, USA in 2012.
Establishing her own music label, One Shushu Day Artistry, she released her debut EP “Nal’ithemba” in 2013 with producer Cobus Van Dyk.
The following year, she gained recognition at the 7th Standard Bank Ovation Awards and Cape Town Fringe for her work.
Her popular single “Imfama Ziyabona” ruled the Metro FM Charts for 19 weeks in 2016.
Her debut album, “Zaneliza: How The Water Moves,” was released in June 2017 and gained popularity in South Africa.
Teaming up with Nduduzo Makhathini, the album secured her a nomination at the South African Music Awards.
Msaki’s collaboration with DJ Prince Kaybee on “Fetch Your Life” soared to the top of the iTunes Dance charts, and she continued to release successful singles like “Pearls To Swine” featuring TRESOR and Kid X.
Msaki’s career reached new heights with appearances on various projects, such as “Rhythms of Zamunda,” and collaborations with artists like Kelly Khumalo.
She headlined major festivals and unveiled a double album in 2021.
Her artistic endeavors extended to the visual realm with the release of her own artwork alongside her music.
Venturing into television, she appeared as a guest judge on “Idols South Africa” and later joined as a judge on the singing competition show “uShuni Womhlaba.”
With each new project and collaboration, Msaki’s talent and influence continued to flourish, solidifying her position in the music industry.
PERSONAL LIFE
Msaki, is a composer, singer, and songwriter, proudly mother of three children.
In 2022, Kefiloe, the wife of radio presenter Smash Afrika, accused Msaki, who is also married, of involving herself in extramarital affairs with her husband.