Cape Town-born songbird Thabsie, whose real name is Bathabise Biyela, took a much-needed four-year hiatus from music to reinvent her craft and shed self-doubt. The result? A bold new sound she’s calling Afro-R&B—a genre-fluid blend that reflects her growth and creativity.
Speaking to Sowetan LIVE, the 33-year-old revealed that her break was driven by a desire to evolve and reconnect with her artistry. “I’m currently going through my creative expression era,” she shared. “It’s a different reference of where I’ve been with my music and where I am now. There is a lot of change and a new sound, but it’s still me, it’s still Thabsie. However, there’s definitely an evolution.”
Even during her time away from the spotlight, Thabsie stayed busy. “Even though I haven’t been releasing music, I’ve been in the studio honing my craft, and what you will hear is more growth,” she explained. Her experimental comeback single Same Place is a testament to this evolution and, according to her, her best work yet.
Thabsie first captivated South Africans with her soulful vocals on Kwesta’s 2016 hit Ngiyaz’fela Ngawe from his iconic album DaKAR II. She later found solo success with hits like African Queen, Macala, and Sphesihle. Now, she’s embracing a new chapter, inspired by South Africa’s vibrant, genre-blurring music scene. “The main thing for me is that people shouldn’t fear pushing the envelope,” she said. “If you want to fully live in an experience, you have to push outside any boundary imposed on you.”
Thabsie admitted that breaking free from imposter syndrome was essential to her growth. “When you have a public career, people expect you to always show up, forgetting that you go through things like self-doubt,” she said. “I had to remember that I am human and I should allow myself to go through all these transitions.”
She credits her strong support system for helping her stay grounded during this period. “I had to go through my personal journey, and luckily, I had a strong community around me that helped me see that I don’t need to exist within people’s boundaries,” she explained.
The pandemic also gave Thabsie the space to explore other passions, such as fashion and business. “I realised that music isn’t the only avenue I can pursue,” she said. “The Covid-19 pandemic catapulted me into different spheres I never expected. I got into the world of business and fashion.”
Despite criticism, Thabsie maintains a positive outlook. “If anyone has something bad to say, they probably don’t have anything going on in their lives,” she said. “So, why should I worry myself with someone like that?”
Now, she’s setting her sights on a global stage. “If I were to build a girl squad, I’d definitely include Tems, Ayra Starr, and Tyla as part of the crew,” she said. “I know our energies would be in sync because most of my friendships are based on genuine vibes, and the music of these women resonates with me.”
