With Womens Month officially beginning, it is important to recognise females who are paving their own roads to success in all that they do. One female who is clearly set on achieving her dreams is singer/song-writer & actress Rhee Manganyi, who’s performed for the likes of US music mogul Tashia Stafford (who has worked with artists like Justin Bieber, Akon, and many more), international talent scout, Kim Myers and artist/US X-Factor scout Nate Butler (who has produced for well-known artists such as Pink). HYPE took the time to set up a Q&A with the young artists who’s just returned from her trip to the states.
You seem to have a long list of achievements that really highlight your talent, which have all led to you heading to the States to perform for agents and companies such as Sony BMG, Interscope Records, Tyler Perry Studios & VH1 just to mention a few…Take us through your journey, how did this whole singing career start-up for you? And how did you manage to score such a big opportunity?
I have been singing for as long as I can remember, acting for about 6 years now and modelling and dancing for a minute. However, professionally, it all started by mistake. I was forced to enter a competition, by my family & friends, not knowing who was going to be in my audience. Summer-heat is a nationwide Talent and Model competition that provides international exposure and when I did enter I found that it was probably one of the greatest opportunities I was pushed into. I entered into the singing & acting categories and I was scouted by Just You Artists to perform for international talent scouts, Kim and Rick Myers, which then has provided the opportunity to go to the States and showcase my talents to the companies mentioned and many more. Oh for your information, I won both the categories, Summer-heat’s Singer of the Year & Actor of the Year.
Who inspires you & why?
My inspiration doesn’t come from one person or one thing, but from many different places. God, my family, other people’s life stories definitely keep my creative juices running.
You did a track with producer Reverb360 called “Can’t Get Enough”,which was really a testament to your talent. When can we expect some new material from you?
[Laughs] Thank you. I work with Reverb quite often and right now we are working on a few singles of very different styles. That’s all I’m going to say right now.
Let’s take a moment to analyse your opinions right now, your most & least favourite SA artists?
Most favourite SA artists have to be Lira, Kamo, Micasa, Takkies and Linda Zwane. Least favourite? Really?
Who are your Top Five favourite SA rappers?
Yeshua / Flo After/ Hue/ AKA & Khuli Chana
Who do you think is really leading the Hip Hop game in SA right now?
South African Hip Hop is really evolving, but I would say the one leading right now is AKA.
If you had the chance to work with anyone you wanted, who would it be?
Usher Raymond and Justin Timberlake.
One word that best describes Rhee?
[Laughs] Red ,does that count?
@_RheeZA
Written By: Rudzani “@Roo_AT” Netshiheni