Byline: Refeloe Letsoisa
29 August 2022
The faithful and humble artist was inspired by Alaska Trompies and that’s where he fell in love with Kwaito music.
Bongani’s music career started at the age of 27, which was 2010. With the attitude to avoid troublesome youth and his passion to participation he joined a dance group called Trap en Los in 1998, before beginning his career and passion for music in 2004.
Bongani Ngwenya (39) also known as “Shushu” is an aspiring artist born and bred in Bethal, Mpumalanga. He is also the CEO, artist, dancer, entrepreneur and songwriter under his independent label called “Shushment Entertainment”.
In 2010, he released his first solo album titled uMgqala Kasheleni which opened doors and kick started his music career.
The song titled uMgqala Kasheleni was play listed on various National radio stations, notable Ikwekwezi FM and Ligwalagwala FM at which he was also interviewed at both radio stations.
Ligwalagwala FM not only played his song but also invited him to perform at their birthday bash, Kamhlushwa stadium at Mpumalanga where he shared a stage with the industry notable artists, such as Brick, the late PRO and many more.
The artist was involved in the performance crew on ikwekwezi tour for brand promotion and awareness which took place at different locations in Mpumalanga.
Not only has the artist travelled different locations, various community radio stations have interviewed him and played his music, likes of Emalahleni FM; Barberton FM; VOC FM and Motse fm to name a few. He was also a feature in community newspapers.
Even though the artist once felt like giving up because of certain reason such has having to do everything on his own but because of his love for music and motivating himself that “kuzoqcina kulungile”, he continued.
He attended a few music workshops locally and at Johannesburg whereby learnt a few things about the industry, likes of respecting other artists and being humble because “umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu”; said Bongani. “Shushu” started making waves when he was invited for an interview on SABC 1 Kids News and also on SHIFT SABC 1 to talk about the struggle of upcoming artists.
The music video for the song titled I am Sorry which is one of the tracks on the album appeared on DSTV and SABC 3.
He was invited to perform at the end year function of Nation Road Accident Fund and shared the stage with Black Coffee, Professor, Character and Sugar Smax.
In 2012, the aspiring artist introduced his clothing brand named after him. SHUSHU is the name of the brand which is an isiXhosa word for ‘HOT’.
Brand name is part of promoting the artist “ngoba vele uyashisa on stage”; said Bongani.
In 2014, he registered his independent company and named it Shushment Entertainment and since then everything is done under his company.
In 2015, he released his second album titled Touch is a move.
He shot a music video of one song from the album titled Sthandwa Sami featuring Thulibathi which won them a competition on Soweto TV sponsored by Stumbo Stomp and was play listed on Soweto TV.
The music video was play listed on various Channel O programs.
The artist was nominated for Mpumalanga Sunshine Awards of House song of the year and also performed at Mpumalanga BFM Awards.
Bongani continued to grow and his music was playlisted on various radio stations around the country.
He also continued to perform with various artists, including Dr Malinga, Teargas and more.
