Nokuthula Mahoba, popularly known as Hadassah, chats to us about her music career and new single, I Want You To Know. By Kwanele Mathebula
Image: Hadassah IG
Music has always been a constant in my life. I was born in Mothibistad, Kuruman, in the Northern Cape. I later moved to Vryburg where I was raised. I was a bubbly child with interests in activities such as sports, drum majorettes and music. Eventually, the only thing that remained was music. I would play a puzzle game that had an audio cassette full of nursery rhymes all the time. Although I didn’t understand English at the time, I enjoyed how the puzzle and cassette told a story.
SEE ALSO: 5 minutes with Ntsika
My music is inspired by my life experiences. The lyrics and melodies usually come first, then my band and I bring the song into life once we’re in the studio. Making music is a gift I cherish because I get to tell a story people can relate to, and watching them react positively makes it worth it.
My new single, I Want You To Know, is a labour of love. Being in the music industry hasn’t been easy. It’s required me to sacrifice time with my family in pursuit of my dream. When I met with Malumz on Decks, I was due to visit my family in Pretoria. But because I had to work on the single, I couldn’t go. So, I wrote this song as an ode to my family because I want them to know that I love them, and that the reason I work hard is so that I can inspire my child and siblings to believe in their dreams. I am also working on putting my debut album together, which I hope to release later this year.