Nicole Elocin, Nia Pearl, and Bontle Smith, the leading ladies of the record label New Money Gang, have collaborated to release the tune “Mbokodo.”
Elocin, Pearl, and Smith are well-known performers who have dominated the amapiano scene. Each of the three women has attempted to collaborate with DJ Maphorisa, an extremely significant figure in Mzansi music.
The amapiano mega single “Bella Ciao” by Elocin and Tyler ICU is well-known. She began her musical career in a church choir at the age of 11 while growing up between the Eastern Cape and Kempton Park.
She has collaborated with a variety of amapiano artists, including Kabza De Small, Mas Music, Sha Sha, Pearl, and Mlindo the Vocalist.
Pearl grew up in Umtata, Eastern Cape, and she developed a passion for music in elementary school. Pearl has collaborated with the likes of Mobi Dixon on “Ten Steps forward,” Kabza De Small on the hit “Nia Lo,” and Mas Musiq on “Wami” after studying contemporary music in college.
Smith always known that she would become an artist and perform on stage while growing up in Tembisa. In 2018, Smith collaborated with one of Africa’s most popular musicians, Cassper Nyovest, on the song “Gets Getsa.” Smith began her musical career while attending the University of Johannesburg.
On the women’s collaborative track, Da Muziqal Chef and Visca were featured. The song “Mbokodo” is about moms who struggle to provide for their families.
This song is about all mothers, a typical mother who is straining and grinding to get her family in order. The children are grouped. It’s for single mothers, young or elderly, who are simply working hard,” explained Smith.
“We’d like to thank our mums for their prayers and everything they’ve done for us throughout our lives. The influence, the impact they have on our lives has contributed to making us the women we are today.”
Pearl stated that the song was intended to be published in August, during Women’s History Month, but inspiration sometimes takes an other path.
“We were just celebrating women’s month when we recorded ‘Mbokodo,’” she explained.
When it was recommended that the ladies collaborate, it was a no-brainer for them to agree.
Smith stated that collaborating with the other two women was motivated by a desire to increase the number of women working together in the industry.
The musicians are all about women’s empowerment, urging each other to do better and emphasizing the significance of women supporting one another, not only in the music industry but also in other contexts.
Pearl stated, “The world is so harsh, amapiano, and being a woman is not simple, so I believe this was a great occasion for us to stand forward and enjoy being female artists.”
Working together was enjoyable for Smith, Pearl, and Elocin, and having a relationship outside of music made things easier.
“In addition to music, we would eat lunch. “The studio wasn’t a new experience for us, and I enjoyed that we didn’t have to try too hard,” Elocin said.
“Working with Nia and Bontle has been such a wonderful and exciting adventure. Bontle is constantly cracking jokes in the studio, so we just chill and freestyle. Nia is quite diligent when it comes to writing, as I’ve learned. Nia’s lyrics are consistently profound and enduring.”
Pearl stated that when it comes to studio time, Smith is stern and constantly reminded the other two that they were there to perform and not to fool about.
At a music camp, the women had the opportunity to bond via normal family activities such as waking up and cleaning the house.
Pearl remarked, “It was such a wonderful opportunity for us to live as a family, as we are ideally a ‘New Money Gang’ family, but we never get to spend time together due to everyone’s hectic schedules.”
While each woman contributed something unique to the table, they were able to effortlessly collaborate creatively to produce a fantastic song and strengthen their sisterhood.
Their path of collaboration has only just begun. The women stated that their fans may anticipate an EP that combines their various creative talents.
“There was a slight delay, but as you know, such things occur. In the end, we are creative individuals attempting to advance our careers. We are looking for the ideal time, artists, and producers. Pearl stated, “We are almost finished with the project, and it is going to be very gorgeous.”