Lungisa Xhamela is living testament that not everything is glitz and glamour in showbiz.
While to the public the Idols SA alumnus has launched his successful debut album, My Heart to Your Soul, he says behind closed door it’s been a roller-coaster ride.
Things got so bad for him that while he was writing, producing and recording the album that won him his first SA Music Award (Sama), he was homeless.
After “losing everything that I owned”, the 30-year-old crooner told Sowetan that he has made the choice to start over.
“Things were really going slow in terms of getting opportunities out there because it’s not easy to get opportunities in the music industry,” Xhamela said.
“I remember that while finishing the album it got so tough that I even lost my apartment because I couldn’t pay rent.
“I wrote half of my album with no place to stay and having to hustle my way with friends and family. I think that’s the reason that there is a lot of heart and soul in my album.”
Xhamela said giving up was never on the cards for him.
“I think I was relentless in what I was doing. I made sure that I was always presentable,” Xhamela said.
“Every gig, performance or appearance I made sure I was prepared, from how I look and vocally; everything that made sure that I was a star. I stepped up to the plate.”
During the period Xhamela went through a spiritual awakening and he credits his newfound relationship with God as his saving grace.
“I found God a lot. I feel like he was telling me I had to go back to my humble ways; go back to being the Lungisa that people knew, and just pray. That’s exactly what I did. I found a church and started being a leader in my church. It’s crazy because a year ago I wasn’t part of any church.”
Xhamela said he is now in a good place and winning a Sama for best R&B/soul album helped a lot.
“One of my biggest drives and goals was to win a Sama. To win it on my first go was very touching and it opened my mind a lot,” Xhamela said. “It made me see how other things are possible for me. It was a good confidence boost.”
Xhamela has booked countless gigs for the next two months that include weddings and his one-man show where he will perform all the songs on his album live for the first time.
He is also in the middle of closing a deal for an international music collaboration.
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