ZIMBABWEAN artiste Xolani Ndlovu, aka X-Mile has dedicated his second EP- Izinto to his late parents.
On Izinto, which aptly means things, the musician speaks of the things he wished he could have done for his parents.
The award-winning Bulawayo Afro pop artiste, songwriter and composer’s Izinto is set to be released on September 1 and it comes after his first EP—Bangaxabani which was released in 2014.
X-Mile told Standard Style that he wishes his parents could still be alive to enjoy the musical success he has amassed so far.
“I called my EP Izinto specifically for the things I wish I could be doing for my late parents as they raised me the best way they could. Not a day I never felt unloved by them and it hurts me that they’re not here today to experience all my little successes,” he said.
“It was all inspired by my first song in the EP ‘Ndiyabulela’ which is entirely dedicated to them and also to those who may have lost their loved ones.
“I also chose a happy rhythm and beat for the song to send a message of how we can be smiling and dancing out in the world despite being sad and broken inside. So you can dance and vibe to the song while it carries a sad and sorrowful message.”
X Mile said he took long to get to his second EP because he refused to be pressured.
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“I am very excited to be dropping this new body of work ‘Izinto EP’ after such a long time since I released my first one,” said X Mile.
“I have recorded hundreds of songs of which if I wanted I could be having multiple albums by now, but I chose to take my time and do what works for me.
“The first EP has kept me going for all these years. It still does and it has taken me to places that I never thought I could be.
“So there was no need to rush and pressure myself. Also, in-between I released a few singles and collaborations that have led to many nominations and won me some awards, so I have been good.
“What’s very interesting about this is how drastic the music has evolved over the years and this EP will be a perfect example of how much my music has changed from the very first E.P.
“In a way, it tells a story of how far I have come as an artiste and where I’m headed to.”
He said in the EP he touches on daily life experiences, the good days, the bad ones, things one can’t change and he featured rapper, Floppy X.
“I wanted this project to be purely me, so I did not want to add too many features. I only featured one Bulawayo Rapper, Floppy X, on a good vibes love drama kind of a song.
“Just like my first EP that featured no one, I wanted people to experience an all X Mile treat more. Though on the production side of things I worked with artistes Umfana and Oscar from Bulawayo who both have none of their vocals included in the EP,” he added.
Asked how it was working on the second EP compared to the first one, he said recording the second EP was much more flawless.
“I worked mostly with Umfana whom I have created a very strong relationship with and he understands me more than most producers, he gives me space to be myself and to be as creative as I can be and he also guides me here and there as we create,” X Mile said.
“Also the working environment at Estraden Studios is a very comfortable space for me so it made everything very efficient for me whereas with the First EP I was still young and not much experienced with studios and recording.
“With more experience in the game, I feel like working on the second EP has been much more enjoyable and all the dots had just been connecting to each other swiftly.
“With the first EP it was much harder as I was pressuring myself on what the outcome would be and how it would be received by the listeners and at the same time I was still trying to find myself and my space in the Industry.” In addition he said the launch will be on September 2 in Maboneng, Johannesburg just a day after release.
