Palesa Nooe, better known as Ms P, is ready to let Mzansi in and allow us to get to know her a little better through her powerful vocals. Rhodé Marshall chatted to the singer to find out what she’s got planned.
Ms P invaded the airwaves with features on multiaward-winning duo Black Motion’s hit singles It’s You and Little Blue Girl. With the success of her latest single Ngwana Mosotho, she’s reintroducing herself to her fans and House music lovers with her powerful vocals on this sing-along ballad.
Signed to Spirit Motion, owned by Black Motion, Ms P is working on her debut album, which will be available early next year. #Trending caught up with her:
What inspired Ngwana Mosotho?
Ngwana Mosotho is about me and my roots as a Mosotho. I wrote the song to reintroduce myself. I wanted people to know who I am and where I come from. I’ve always wanted to do a song in my home language Sesotho and I wanted it to be special. So after my father gave me my clan names I knew I was ready for this special song. I got into the studio with producers DJ Clap and Mapiano and Ngwana Mosotho was born.
You’re currently working on your debut album. What can fans expect?
I’m going the Afro-neo soul route for my debut album. There is no theme but I want people to listen to the album and feel like they know my story. I would really love to work with Berita, Maleh and Press on the album. And of course Black Motion will be behind the scenes working on this album.
What would you describe as some of your career highlights so far?
Doing It’s You with Black Motion and then it being featured on their album Fortune Teller which got an award [SA Music Award] for best dance album. Another highlight is releasing my solo project Ngwana Mosotho.
You’ve been around for a while … why has it taken this long to put out a full project?
I honestly didn’t want to rush things. I was taking [my] time to understand what it is that I want, and not just put out music for the sake of it.
I believe the time is right – I’m more mature, I know what I want and what I’m capable of.
When did you fall in love with music?
I fell in love with music at a very young age. I started singing in church and the school choir. We even had our own little girl band called Titanic Girls [just after the movie Titanic was released]. Professionally I started in 2010 as a backing vocalist, got in studio and featured on different projects.
How did you get signed by Black Motion?
It was in 2013, I wanted them to produce a song for me. I left the Free State and came to Pretoria where we recorded our first song, It’s You. They loved the song and wanted to include it on their album, which was released in 2014. In 2015 they called and told me they would love to sign me to their stable Spirit Motion.
Of course, I agreed and we’ve become one big family.
What’s currently on your playlist?
Raveena’s Lucid and Long Live Love by Kirk Franklin.
Beyoncé or Rihanna?
Beyoncé ... I’m a huge fan and I love how consistent she is. She’s business-minded, knows what she wants and doesn’t compromise.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
“Do what you love, not what you’re told to love.”