Independent Afrobeats musician Toya Delazy is temporarily swapping her mic for a pen to write a memoir about her life titled “What Happened to Toya Delazy?”. According to her post on Facebook, she plans to dive deep into her journey as a South African musician and how she paddles her unique sound along the treacherous waters of the Mzansi music industry.
More notably, the artist hinted at the inspiration behind her book, drawing parallels to the late multi-award-winning singer Zahara.
“I decided it’s time for me to write my book – after the tragic loss of sis Zahara, I saw the type of music deal she was signed to, and I realised that it was like mine.”
Also Read: ‘Had the same contract’: Toya DeLazy hints at being ‘exploited’ like Zahara.
DeLazy signed a two-album record deal with Sony Music Africa in 2011, left the recording label in 2016 and went independent.
WHY DELAZY WENT INDEPENDENT
Quoting a tweet on X, formerly Twitter, she revealed how she signed the ‘exact same deal’ Zahara had with Sony Music. When she mentioned this, ‘it brought on a huge discussion on Twitter, with some people saying, anyway, my grandpa is rich, so I am fine.’
But she was not quite fine. In her lengthy Facebook post, she said their reactions were because they didn’t know her story.
“I never had anything handed to me,” she wrote. “I was squatting through university and had no one to pay my school fees often; people think your proximity to money makes you wealthy.”
Also Read: ‘I will write a book’: TS Records boss, TK pays tribute to Zahara.
The artist stated that she would document her experiences, touching on topics such as battling depression, using alcohol as a coping mechanism, and ultimately finding profound healing even while facing rejection.
Highlighting the need for support for independent artists, Toya shared, “We independent artists need your support. Going independent doesn’t mean you have lost your talent, sometimes, we have to get out of deals that are no longer sustainable for us.” She ended this statement touchingly, saying, “Most of the artists that have been in my position died.
IS SHE HAPPY WITH WHERE SHE IS NOW?
Also Read: Sho Madjozi released her debut children’s book.
“I regret nothing,” she declared.
“Everything that has happened has taught me so much, and I feel very lucky that I found another part of the world to appreciate my talent,” DeLazy said, celebrating her recent win as the Newcomer of the Year in the U.K.
Also Read: Toya Delazy’s tribute to Mangosuthu: ‘I acknowledge the pain’
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