“Now I have a chance to introduce myself… to myself.”
These heartfelt words come from producer extraordinaire Sobzeen, who, after years of quietly shaping the soundtracks to other people’s success, is finally stepping into the spotlight. Having worked with a multitude of South African artists to produce chart-topping hits, he has now gifted the world with an album of his own, iThemba Lam — a title that loosely translates to “my hope.”
The 11-track offering is rich with collaborations, featuring an array of talented voices. Sobzeen admits that he never set out with the intention of making an album. Working at his own pace, he was simply creating — unaware that these moments in the studio would eventually weave themselves into something much bigger.
“I create beats for artists when they arrive at the studio, so I know they’re comfortable with whatever they choose to work on,” he explains. “Over time, when I looked back at all the music I had made, I realised these songs belonged together. They spoke to each other. That’s when I decided to bring them together as a complete project.”
Sobzeen | SUPPLIED
At just 28, Sobzeen carries with him the spirit of Pimville, Soweto — the place where his love affair with music first began. It’s where his passion was nurtured, his sound was shaped, and his dreams found a home.
“I loved music so much that I followed it wherever I could find it. I wasn’t particularly surrounded by music growing up. I was very shy, but music gave me a sense of belonging. I found it everywhere — I’d join choirs just to be surrounded by it, and even if I went out to groove, while others were having a jol, I’d find myself connecting with the music more than anything else.
“From a very young age, music became an escape. There was nothing I loved more, and I understood notes and keys even then. I experimented constantly; even during the hip-hop era, I was trying out different styles and sounds.
“There was never a point where I consciously decided to do music. I didn’t think it would get to this point,” he shares.
That unexpected journey — following what he loves just as he did when he was a child — led him to produce bangers such as “Mali”, “Masithokoze”, and “Selimathunzi”, steadily building his repertoire over time. Now, it’s time for people to know him as an artist, and this album is his love letter from the biggest lover of music they’ll ever meet.
“I started taking music seriously even before knowing where it would take me. It was a career even before it became a career,” he shares.
Sobzeen | SUPPLIED
Now stepping into the limelight is not about the fame but a bold expression of this long-lasting love affair.
“The music is positive lyrically, and I believe each song will resonate with people at whatever point they are at.
“’Amalobolo’ will definitely be a hit because I believe it will resonate with so many people. I personally love ‘Somandla’, it has given me more space for creativity and because I am a lover of Afrotech, it gives me that feel. Overall, all the songs are beautifully crafted overtime and I hope they resonate with the listener,” he said.
When it comes to production, Sobzeen reveals that he has always aspired to be different in how he creates his music.
“It’s scary to be different but I believe that once the people catch your wave and your difference, it’s an even better experience for all of us. I believe that my sound is different and although I dub it (sound) as amapiano, it is different because I don’t follow the normal way of doing amapiano. It’s all from within,” he said.
Sobzeen | SUPPLIED
Looking at how far he has come, proud doesn’t begin to explain it.
“It feels good have finally reached this point in my career. I am happy that people will get to hear my side of the story – musically. I am not mad at how everything played out because I believe it was a needed journey to get me to this point here. Where I understand my sound better, to sharpen my skills as well.
With the album’s underlying theme hinged on inspiration, Sobzeen hopes the album uplifts the listener while also giving them a good listen.
His expectations start with making the listener feel good right up to reaching great heights passing border.
