[intro] Well, if ever there was any doubt that Thembi's success with Lollipop, her debut solo album, was a once-off affair then the just-released S'matsatsa is here to squash those ideas, with the force of a ten-ton truck!

The eight-track album elevates this sassy and sexy and just plain nice artist to a whole new level, most notably drawing out Thembi's obvious songwriting skills (the singer co-wrote every track on the album) and her diverse singing ability. Smatsatsa is in stores(CCP).

So I bump into Thembi Seete(TS) at Mkhukhu Funk what the hell is she doing here mmm?...She’s doing a track with the Kamp for her new album more questions burn in my enquiring head so this is how the rest of the evening goes.

T: Hi Thembi how are you?

T.S.: I’m great are you ok?

T: I got bills, debts, deadlines and empty pockets but I it’s your interview and I’d like to know about Thembi, you on tv, Gaz Lam, Yizo Yizo and theater, My Birthday have you been studying for an acting degree did you get auditioned like every one else or were you just chosen cause of who you are watup?

T.S.: I never studied or auditioned for my first role in the big screen movie Fools the director had saw me from Boom Shaka and thought I had the look, this led to my next big screen movie Hijack. I was only 17 when I did Fools and I wasn’t prepared I never thought I’d now the lines, Boom Shaka was also very busy then. I did audition for Yizo Yizo though and people talked about my acting more than my music so I felt I probably had to be there. I auditioned with the Boom Shaka look and they gave me the most down to earth character (Hazel) and I pulled it off so it encouraged me to continue.

T: Boom Shaka honesty please, where is it and how’s the relationship personally?

T.S.: We love each other and if anything happens it will be a miracle but we all cool.

T: Ok so what can we expect from Thembi cause it seems Boom Shaka is still hibernating?

T.S.: Gazlam2, Yizo Yizo 3, and the new album Smatstatsa.

T: Talking about your album you’ve featured Skwatta Kamp on one of your tracks how did that come about?

T.S.: Firstly I’m their biggest fan I personally love Skwatta Kamp. I think they’ve opened a lot of doors for me and a lot of hip hop peeps cause I’ve always loved Hip Hop, that’s why I featured Amu on the first album I think he’s one of the best and he loves what he does

T: What about eKwaito? (Hola Selwyn)

T.S.: I also love kwaito, and I do it because it allows me to relate to people and they also not scared to ask for autographs and talk to me, but I actually grew up listening to Hip Hop, I loved P.O.C. I even had posters of Junior in my bedroom. I never thought I’d ever work with him.

T: So you were a Junior groupie?

T.S.: Ha ha I was young and had this young crush his voice was amazing……..I genuinely liked him.

T: Now that Hip Hop is a growing art form how do you see yourself fitting in?

T.S.: I can only tell you that it feels good doing what you’ve always wanted to do (Hip Hop). The fact that S.K. did a track with me makes me feel I can fit in cause they’ve paved a way for local hip hop there’s a new generation of music and musicians being conceived.

T: Do you think you’ll be criticized cause everybody knows Thembi has always been a Kwaito artist?

T.S.: No! tell me about Indhlovogazi is that Kwaito? Ladies love that song, anyway I’ve always been rapping from Boom Shaka.
I’ve always been criticized and it doesn’t mean vokol just makes me stronger.

T: I hear from S.K. you weren’t a pre Madonna and it was pleasure working with you were you fully dressed when you were recording cause I know them, how was working with them though?

T.S.: (Laughs) I had my tracksuit on and I was very comfortable and fully dressed. I think they very talented, I was surprised to see what they’re doing with such little in they studio. I wish a lot of people could see that cause it’s very inspiring. I even asked Amu how much it would cost to get a home setup after that cause his also got a studio of his own. I really would like to have the something like that.

T: Thanks Thembi for your time good luck for everything from www.skwattakamp.co.za

T.S.: Huh? You don’t want to know who I’m seeing. ahg you boring man.

T: Cho who are you going out with then?

T.S.: Nah man I’m playing I am single

T: Eeish Thembi lets close up this interview so I can show you what you’ve been missing without a man.

My peeps thats’ it me and Thembi enjoyed mixing business with pleasure I will be back soon with another Q&A if you want find out anything about your favourite Hip Hop artist drop me a line on Sli3k5r@yahoo.com peace