What’s up Sesh squad! Welcome to another awesome Artist Spotlight. On center stage this month, we have Martha Vitlhari Mangwani, who goes by the stage name La Vita (The Experience). We had to bring La Vita to the lime light because not only do we think she’s an amazing DJ, but we as the Si Sessions could also tell that she has a unique story to share about her journey growing up as a creative and what better way to do that than on this amazing platform!?.
La Vita was born in Pretoria, Gauteng. She is currently residing in Suurnam, Hammanskraal. La Vita was born on the 31st of October 1995, making her a Halloween baby. So we just had to know, if she had a chance to dress up as anything or anyone for Halloween, who or what would she would dress up as. So as La Vita would have it, she would dress up as the character ‘Moesha’ from the 90’s Tv show: “Moesha!”
La Vita is an O.G Xitsonga girl, so her favorite food is pap, wors and morogo! Authentic home food is definitely a fave over here too, girl!
La Vita the MUSICIAN
La Vita’s musical influence comes from her growing up in the SDA (Seventh Day Adventist) church. It was there where she learnt the different styles and sounds of music such as acapella and the different sounds created through harmonies, but her influence didn’t end there, she was also inspired by different people and different spaces-growing up in the "capital of house/deep house music". With her brewing pot of influence, we had to find out what genre La Vita specializes in. As a forever growing artist, at the moment, La Vita’s DJing style is “everything house” (deep house, afro house, afro tech, deep tech) with the hopes of venturing into something new in the future, as she believes artists should never limit or box themselves.
La Vita has been active in the culture of music since her church days and in 2019, she decided to enrol into music school, thus becoming a DJ who’s sets we thoroughly enjoy. Which made us curious, why music? La Vita believes that “music is her calling!” And a platform for her to touch people’s lives and fulfill her purpose. So, with that said, we had to find out what was the best and worst part about being a musician for her. La Vita reckons that the worst part about being a musician is that music is a craft that can either make you or break you. It requires a lot of work from you. On a more positive note, La Vita believes that the best part about being a musician is the ability to be creative and use that platform to express yourself.
With La Vita reminding us that music requires so much to give, she had to answer our infamous question, does she perform sober or inebriated. La Vita told us it depends on the mood or the setting and she personally prefers being sober playing sets. She did however, mention, “and then after! Siza bona khona! siphuza ama cool drink! siphuza ama tea! ziphuza ama booze? Who knows?”
La Vita's 2 cents
With La Vita’s versatile experiences in music, we had to know what her take is on the South African music industry right now and where she thinks South Africa is sonically at the moment.
La Vita felt like we’d put her on the hot seat with these questions, which was the point! Artist Spotlight loves to get real sis!
She began by reminding us of some of the best music veterans the South African industry has produced, naming Mam Miriam Makheba, Busie Mhlongo, Lucky Dube and Brenda Fassie. She elaborated that the path of producing great legends has always been set for South Africa as a nation- which translates sonically, as SA has gone on to produce its own current sound ‘amapiano’ following other genres that broke out before that, as well as the growth of afro tech, which continues to put South Africa on the map globally. La Vita also shared her sentiments on the rise of music and talent distribution platforms such as, Spotify and tik tok. The platforms have been aiding the growth of music artistry in South Africa. She shared how excited she is that those platforms have opened doors for artist such as herself. La Vita recognizes that the rise of ‘amapiano’ has brought a lot of success in the sense that it’s given more producers and musician an opportunity to shine and thrive, she also feels that the new hot & happening genre, has caused challenges for other music genres.
Lastly, we asked La Vita if she has an “unpopular opinion” about being a female DJ. And this was her response:
“Female DJs cannot be technical with their craft.” Further explaining:
“I believe most of the time female DJs have to work twice as hard to showcase their skill. Some may argue that female DJs do not take their craft seriously however at the end of the day it’s about the time and effort you take to perfect your craft. Every art mastery needs time and practice.”
What’s your two cents on La Vita’s take about the South African industry and where we are as a country sonically? Make sure to leave your comments on the Si Session’s socials!
La Vita signing out
Before we let La Vita go, we had to make sure she left with a shameless plug! So, 3-2-1 go!
“Ok! I would like you to plug me! With more clients for my sound, for small to medium events! So ya! And just check out my page man, on my socials ‘Hotcue Entertainment!” Well there you have it!
We love the self-care energy!
And now, for La Vita the wise, she leaves us with her favourite quote:
“Re tla bona” – which is apparently a Pretoria street proverb meaning: “We’ll cross the bridge when we get there, as long as we keep moving”
So what's up for La Vita for 2023?
To give you something to look forward to, we asked La Vita to share some of her 2023 plans to keep you in the loop! And just to hint, La Vita plans to be busy with all things music this year, releasing a remix package of ‘Amukela’ ft Koisan Smaz. She also plans on exploring some abroad ventures, involving learning the business of music!
If you've fallen as hard as we have for La Vita, be sure to continue to keep up with her!