Review: Phelo B’s Listening Session

June 14, 2011 by  

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Last night, members of the media were invited to the listening session of Phelo Bala’s new album. It was held at Co.fi in Rosebank. Initially I did not want to attend due to my personal relationship with the artist but he asked me to attend and promised me that he would not be offended by anything that I write. I warned him that when I do reviews, I am honest and blunt which many people perceive as mean, he responded by saying that if I love music the way I claim to, I would not have to be mean. So here is how the cookie crumbles:


I arrived at Co.fi and I was surprised to see that he was confident enough to do the listening session as a live performance.  He opened by singing Adele’s Rolling in the Deep and he delivered it the same way that John Legend delivered it. Same phrasing and everything. After the cover he dived into his music. I did not appreciate the fact that he did the songs with a live band as it drowned his voice. Phelo has the most powerful voice out of the Bala Brothers, his range is amazing, he phrases like Loyiso with the depth of Zwai’s voice. I stood by the bar and soaked in each song as he performed and it was a bitter sweet moment for me.

As mentioned above I love Phelo vocally, he sounds angelic but I absolutely hate the fact that when I listened to the music I could hear Zwai and Loyiso. The sound is a bit too grown up for a 20 year old. Do not misunderstand me, the songs are good but I do not see them appealing to Phelo’s peers. I hear some songs being on heavy rotation at Kaya FM and Metro but I only hear one of them playing on Yfm or 5fm (For My Baby). If this album is to be nominated for an award it would be on the adult contemporary category.


I sat with Phelo, Zwai and Loyiso afterwards to throw some questions at them individually. I voiced out my concerns about the maturity of the sound to Phelo and Loyiso; Phelo responded by stating that he just sits and writes. These songs are basically a translation of that. Loyiso responded by informing of the dangers of trying package an artist to a certain audience as it dilutes art. To which I reluctantly agreed to. I asked Loyiso and Zwai what they were doing to prepare Phelo for the industry and bad press; Zwai responded in a manner that sent him and I into a 15 minute argument relating to branding and marketing to which he ended up by stating that all he wants is to concentrate on Phelo’s talent and position him properly as a brand in such a manner that his talent is the main focus. He added that he has supported Phelo since he was a child and he will carry on doing so.

Loyiso on the other hand changed from being all smiles and I saw a deep and sensitive side to him when I asked the question, he responded by telling me that all that he can do is support his brother and let him be Phelo meanwhile guiding him and being a big brother.

I went a bit personal with Phelo and asked him how he is preparing to deal with all the rumours about his sexuality to which he responded, ‘This is my job, I am a singer/songwriter. It does not matter what I say when asked these kinds of questions about my personal life. People will believe what they want to believe and I ask for my talent to be the main focus. In as much as it is ideal, but I would like music to be separate from my personal life. It should be something that I can come back home away from’.

I asked him if he was single and if yes, what kind of person is he looking for and he replied, ‘yes, I am single at the moment. If I was to be out there looking, it would have to be someone who would love me for me. I just want someone who will love me the same way my family does’.

I also sat down with blogger Mika Stefano who insisted that he also records the interview because he did not want to be misqouted. He said that he loves Phelo’s music and he stands by the fact that Phelo is the better singer out of the 3 brothers.

Overall, this album will appeal to people who appreciate a true artist. It will not appeal to your Yfm crowd but as mentioned, I do hear the more mature stations appreciating it. I do not see a bunch of 20 year olds blasting it at a party but I do see my friends and I playing it at a Sunday braai session. The CD will be officially launched on Wednesday, 15 June, at Hush.

Rating: 7/10.

By Mablerh ©

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Comments

58 Comments on "Review: Phelo B’s Listening Session"

  1. ThatoM on Tue, 14th Jun 2011 12:38 am 

    Love this boy *sigh* wishing him all the best!

  2. Sive-N on Tue, 14th Jun 2011 1:44 am 

    I don’t think it is a good idea to write anything about a person you have beef with unless you know your objectivity is on point. If you really know phelo, you’d know that he is not a’ justin bieber’ or a ‘ msawawa…he is from an operatic background which is a very musical genre so vele 20 year olds won’t dance to his music. But if they appreciate good music, they will definately buy his CD.Cz I think that not all 20 year old wanna listen to mapaputsi and big nuzz. Personaaly I think he is the best singer yet and South Africa is not ready for him. The band. Was proper and his performance was
    Hundreds. Boy is talented and is going far. I just wish I could put him in a box cz jhb vultures want to get him already. Wish him all the best. And next year he is taking the SAMA for the best newcomer*prays for bullets*NOT

  3. ThatoM on Tue, 14th Jun 2011 1:57 am 

    *grabs chair*

  4. Zida on Tue, 14th Jun 2011 3:13 am 

    I can believe that Phelo is the better singer out of brothers. I picked that up from their album as a collective.

    What I find sad is that as much as Adele, e.g, is mature in her sound, she still gets 20 year old’s listening to her music. Why must it be different for Phelo? RME. South Africans have such warped minds.

    Kwaaaaa @ Mika wanting to be recorded. Poor big face doesn’t wanna be misquoted.

  5. @JoneighGLOBAL on Tue, 14th Jun 2011 5:11 am 

    If he’s got something to sincere to say thru his music then it shouldn’t be something a 20 year old can’t relate to. Music is music whether it’s appreciated by 20 year olds or 30 year olds it doesn’t matter. As long as his art gets heard. I just hope that Loyiso & Zwai don’t create a combination versions of themselves thru this young man.

    I don’t understand how issues relating a personal aspect like his sexuality will have any positive / negative bearing on the way he delivers his art. It’s not headline new for me.

  6. sya on Tue, 14th Jun 2011 6:27 am 

    ….I could sense the negativity from the beginning of this article. Since when has an artist’s sexuality EVER been a factor at his/her album listening session? MaBlerh you need to get over yourself, not everything revolves around sexuality. Maybe you soaked in a bit more than the music at that bar.

  7. mousa on Tue, 14th Jun 2011 7:01 am 

    Maybe I have this selective reading disease bantu. After reading this post twice, I cannot sense the beef or negativity that u speak of. Maybe I really am missing something here. Was is wrong for Mablerh to ask abt his sexuality? Was someone else supposed to clear the record besides him? Mablerh raised valid points here and I like how Phelo responded to them. Good luck to Phelo, all the best.

  8. Madoncan on Tue, 14th Jun 2011 7:36 am 

    Phelo is stil young,he should be busy with the exams not writing music n not that his brothers are on top of the world.Im nt (-ve) shem but I c him doing nothing in 5yrs to cum.

  9. BongaPercy on Tue, 14th Jun 2011 7:39 am 

    I love Phelo’s voice and I can’t wait to get his album. Been waiting for it for some time now. I thought the questions you asked were quite relevant. Young as Phelo is, he has a very mature voice, so of course the sound and branding comes into play. As for the sexuality, I’m not sure how relevant it is at this point in time but if it is a , someone was going to ask the question sooner or later. Anyways, Good luck to Phelo!

  10. Kiki on Tue, 14th Jun 2011 7:44 am 

    PheloB,PheloB,PheloB…..WOW! This boy is so talented it hurts shem.

    Personally I am glad that he doesn’t do your typical 20yrs olds music. There is nothing to write home about there coz kuyangxolwa qha. Phelo chose a different route and trust me it will work because he targeted people that will be able to spend money on his music and not pirate it. We will attend his shows shem and so would my mum and aunties.

    I don’t know why society as a whole always have a problem with other peoples’ sexuality. Mina the ONLY time I will question a guy about his sexuality is if I have a crush on him and I want him,otherwise anginandaba coz vele it’s non of my business. Why should I care gore smang mang orobala le mang when they don’t give a damn gore nna ke robala lemang? Hai no man.

    Good luck Phelo,you will kick ass. And THANK YOU for unexpectedly singing for me @ my birthday party. You made me and my gals shed tears believe me. Stay Blessed nana. See you tomorrow night @ your launch.

  11. Lisa Ngcolomba on Tue, 14th Jun 2011 8:01 am 

    Big up to my boi ! Media will always wanne put you down. Phelo has a great support structure and his brothers know all the ins and outs of the industry. He’s mature in his own right and has a vision about where he wants his music to go. Media should give the young man a break to go out there and show his talent. B Blessed boi boi , see you at the Launch tomoro

  12. Mr_Dezzel on Tue, 14th Jun 2011 8:09 am 

    KwAaaaaaa past dead *closes the coffin*I just had to go through the it again.*so not topshayala*The boy needs a soul mate after that he will be f9.Follow @Mr_Dezzel

  13. sya on Tue, 14th Jun 2011 8:21 am 

    ….@mousa tell me, from reading this “article”, what’s the name of Phelo’s album?

    Exactly! But we DO know is that there is a question about his sexuality. Mablerh had an axe to grind and he surely did with this badly-written and tasteless article.

  14. Lela on Tue, 14th Jun 2011 8:38 am 

    *prays in tongues*

  15. Sive-N on Tue, 14th Jun 2011 8:50 am 

    Looking forward to seeing u Kiki and Lela at the launch! Lela where are we meeting tshomi?

  16. Punkie on Tue, 14th Jun 2011 8:53 am 

    Mablerh maybe u forgot to mention the name of the cd , the perfomances etc . I got more info on twitter than ur article .
    Ur article is based on his sexuality so I think the title should change .

  17. Buhlebonga on Tue, 14th Jun 2011 9:06 am 

    I think I will enjoy his music if it’s similar to their Bala Brother’s CD which was great.
    I’m a fan of laid back music I can involved in, especially when someone can really sing, unlike some of these popstars.
    Phelo is NICHE artist and trust me it will work for him. He already has an audience, thanks to the Bala Brother CD’s and the Afrikaans community love the Bala Brothers. They are easily the ONLY BLACK musicians to be featured in the Huisgenoot Skouspel and that’s huge!

    Good luck Phelo and I can’t wait to listen to the album. If it’s any good i’m getting it.

  18. Lela on Tue, 14th Jun 2011 9:11 am 

    LOL @Sive. I will call you.

  19. Biskiti on Tue, 14th Jun 2011 9:12 am 

    Some people love drama where there is none bathong! I also didn’t see any negativity about MaBlehr’s review, he just highlighted that Phelo’s album will be popular with mature audients instead of your Jika Majika crew. And you know how SA is obsessed with people’s sexuality, i’m glad MaBlehr brought the question up, and equally pleased at the response.

    I wish Phelo all that is best and can’t wait to catch his CD. He’s a cutie i’m sure ladies (and some Joshs) will lap it up.

  20. khululeka on Tue, 14th Jun 2011 9:41 am 

    I’m with you Biskiti and Mousa. Because people know the guy personally or like the guy, they now have issues. Phelo is not the first artist 2 b questioned about his sexuality and def will not be the last. And his sexuality has been on peoples minds and HE didn’t take offence to the question he answered it maturely and didn’t get emotional like others here. Hayi !

  21. Siyamthanda on Tue, 14th Jun 2011 9:56 am 

    I havent heard even one of his songs, but still I wish him all the best. I didnt find anything negative about this article except that there is so little about the actual album/songs, which is the whole point of a listening session isnt it?

  22. Fezzy on Tue, 14th Jun 2011 10:01 am 

    Mncm….wena Kiki! U didnt invite me to ur bday party? Shame on u!

  23. Noance on Tue, 14th Jun 2011 10:13 am 

    I’m just saying dont rob children of their childhood. Mj, Miley Cyrus,Justin Bieber…… Let them enjoy their youth.

    I say lets just wait and see, give PheloB a chance! Let him learn and make his own path. I just think his brothers just wanted help him and guide him. I believe he’ll find his sound with due time.

  24. Cutypie on Tue, 14th Jun 2011 11:14 am 

    JC peeps and overreacting!! What’s so negative about MaBlerh’s article?? Hayi niyay’thanda idrama shame!! My only problem is that we didn’t hear much about the listening session nor the songs on the album. I dnt know whether that’s reserved for after the launch or what.

  25. MissAN on Tue, 14th Jun 2011 11:29 am 

    Haai JC bloggers and being dramatic… Now they accusing @Mablerh of being obsessed with sexuality while we not so long ago had an article where Phelo was looking for band mates and they had their gaydars on…

    As much as it doesn’t matter whether Phelo is gay or not,it was going to come up anyway,@Mablerh has really done nothing wrong by asking, had he not ask that question then it would be like ignoring an elephant in a room…

    @Biskiti and Mousa…where is this beef in this article? I assume @Mablerh and Phelo to be good buddies and @Mablerh is very passionate about being biased in articles and he was being honest,it is his opinion after all…

    Anyways,I also do not see anything wrong with him making grown up music… yep,he is the best of the three!! Looks and voice.. all the best to Phelo.

  26. MissAN on Tue, 14th Jun 2011 11:31 am 

    passionate about not being biase…

    @Cuteypie,good point… where are the song reviews?

  27. mbulela on Tue, 14th Jun 2011 11:59 am 

    I just can’t get past this comment:
    I’m just saying dont rob children of their childhood. Mj, Miley Cyrus,Justin Bieber…… Let them enjoy their youth.

    @kiki, does your earlier comment about Justin Bieber also apply to Phelo?

    btw, i wish him all the best,his amazing voice deserves that.

  28. mousa on Tue, 14th Jun 2011 12:07 pm 

    Hi MissAN, that’s exactly what I was asking I don’t see anything wrong with the article but do agree a review abt his actual music cud have been an added bonus.

  29. lwandie on Tue, 14th Jun 2011 12:09 pm 

    Wow how cute is Phelo.I like the strength they have as a unit of brothers and I think thats what keeps them all grounded.

    I read Mablerh’s statement on his reluctance to attend the event like MissAN,…that because he is close to Phelo it might be hard to write an objective review without offending Phelo and rightfully so because its human nature to stuggle with criticism from those close to us.

    The question on his sexuality was a good reality check because the media loves feasting on stuff like that especially when they fail to fault someone in other aspects.It was good of Mablerh to get it out of the way and Phelo’s answer just reitarates his maturity.

    Nothing wrong with a mature sound at all,that kind of music is timeless and there is a market for it.It might not be the club floor puller and quick buck album,but it speaks volumes of his substance as an artist.

    I’d have loved to read a bit more detail on individual tracks etc but never mind,all the more reason to get the CD I guess.

  30. Kusihlwa on Tue, 14th Jun 2011 12:24 pm 

    After reading this article I still dont know what the name of Phelo B’s album is,when its coming out, what can I look forward to as a listner and so forth.That was the dissappointing side of it all but otherwise its ok.

  31. Kiki on Tue, 14th Jun 2011 12:36 pm 

    @Mbulela,Justin started singing about love at the age of 14 or is it 15? How old is Phelo?

    Phelo is old enough to be or get into a relationship hence Mablerh even asked about his relationship status. There was no way in hell I could have asked Msawawa during his ‘yes yes yes uMsawawa lo’ days if he was in a relationship. LOL

  32. Kiki on Tue, 14th Jun 2011 12:42 pm 

    @Fezzy,sorry sisi I wasn’t responsible,one of my girls organised it for me.

  33. mbulela on Tue, 14th Jun 2011 12:45 pm 

    @kiki,OK.

  34. Lela on Tue, 14th Jun 2011 12:46 pm 

    *thanks God for managing to silent blog this articles* Now I really believe in miracles!

  35. Preshy on Tue, 14th Jun 2011 1:05 pm 

    If you’re not a fan of Phelo Bala suka endleli us’dedele tu. Coz he’s good at what he does whether u like it or not. Swallow it roar or sour,and he will not stop what he’s doing because he’s been criticized by you. He’s making his own success, and some pple should just look at themselves in the morrior before they start spreading stupid,creepy crap. PheloB we support u BOUY. And thanx for last night. U rocked,some us that studied music and performing Art now that u delivered very well**clappingHands** I respect u. Keep doing what u’re doing..

  36. sya on Tue, 14th Jun 2011 1:18 pm 

    ….wow, such tiptoeing around Mablerh as if he’s a bolt of lightning. he still hasn’t said that he botched this article, and all you people are saying is that it is “okay, just needs a bit more salt”, yeah right. let us stop encouraging mediocrity.

  37. Girlscout on Tue, 14th Jun 2011 1:32 pm 

    Sooooo, are we ever going to be told what the album title is, tracklist, who produced it,etc..u know the kinda info. u wana read from an article based on a listening session, titled ‘review’. Or will he only be ‘rolling in the deep’ on the whole album??? just askin….

  38. Kusihlwa on Tue, 14th Jun 2011 2:08 pm 

    Kwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa@sya wow, such tiptoeing around Mablerh as if he’s a bolt of lightning. @sya if I may ask in no ass licking tendencies to Mablerh what is your biggest issue with this article?

  39. Punkie on Tue, 14th Jun 2011 2:25 pm 

    I just hope JC will have a proper article about the launch of the CD

  40. sya on Tue, 14th Jun 2011 2:37 pm 

    ….@Kusihlwa My issue is exactly what Girlscout just said, isn’t this supposed to be a “review”? Album title? Track listing? Songs to look out for? Or was the entire listening session “drowned out” by the live band? If so, Mablerh must say so.

  41. Kusihlwa on Tue, 14th Jun 2011 2:49 pm 

    @sya I agree with that,I thought there was something else. Maybe there will be another article reviewing the album because izitory zibuye zishode lakwaJC.

  42. mbulela on Tue, 14th Jun 2011 2:55 pm 

    the easiest way to get away with mediocrity is,be a favourite of the majority.

  43. khululeka on Tue, 14th Jun 2011 2:56 pm 

    Or maybe we waiting 4 THE BIG DAY, THE LAUNCH of this album !! Geez guys.

  44. mbulela on Tue, 14th Jun 2011 3:11 pm 

    kwaaaaaaaa@girlscout,
    Or will he only be ‘rolling in the deep’ on the whole album???

  45. Girlscout on Tue, 14th Jun 2011 3:25 pm 

    I understand if thats the case then @Khululeka,he might have tried to hatch the egg too early then, and he doesn’t want to steal the shine from the upcoming album launch.
    He cuda just warned us that he’l omit some important info. about the album due to the pending launch,and i wouldn’t be ytping this,but its all good.

    I dont know Phelo musically at all but im very interested to hear his music.

  46. sya on Tue, 14th Jun 2011 3:36 pm 

    ….Girlscout, hence i said this “article” is “negative”, coz the only thing that takes precedence over anything seems to be Phelo’s sexuality. This is a fail, of epic proportions. I’m hoping the launch will be better reviewed.

  47. MissAN on Tue, 14th Jun 2011 3:38 pm 

    On a lighter note… and God forgive me,could not help but laugh at this random thought…Looking at the Bala Bros photo,I could not help but think of the Evolution of man theory and sketch…

  48. Cutypie on Tue, 14th Jun 2011 3:44 pm 

    tltltltlt..usile wena MissAN

  49. MiniAyeye on Tue, 14th Jun 2011 3:46 pm 

    tltltltltl MissAN mara wena bathong

  50. MissAN on Tue, 14th Jun 2011 3:47 pm 

    @ Cutypie…tltltl…

  51. MissAN on Tue, 14th Jun 2011 3:49 pm 

    Guys hayi kabi,the thought jumped at me… I am sure most know I hardly make such comments about peoples looks…

  52. Brown Shuga on Tue, 14th Jun 2011 5:13 pm 

    heheheheh *claps once*

  53. Mr_Dezzel on Tue, 14th Jun 2011 6:00 pm 

    Hehehe this doesn’t sound straight

  54. softnfree on Tue, 14th Jun 2011 7:37 pm 

    Ya neh..
    JC Bloggers!!

  55. MaliB on Tue, 14th Jun 2011 10:15 pm 

    U could swear it’s World War 3 up in this muthaaa…

    I do hear and empathise with many a folk that said the headline is very misleading because we heard little to nothing regarding the music… Well, save for the band’s music drowning Phelo’s voice and him not necessarily appealing to the younger audience.

    This was severely insufficient and I can sorta understand why some of them folks are pressed… But some OBVIOUSLY have issues with Blessing and are using the article’s poor content/misleading headline as a pretext to this argument.

    Oh, funny that Blessing gave the session or album or whatever 7/10 when we didn’t even get a breakdown of the mood/tone of the songs.

    I’ve already said many a word. Eish… Sharp!

  56. cijimpi on Wed, 15th Jun 2011 9:38 am 

    lmao at u shukela o brown athi ” heheheheh *claps once* “

  57. Letebele on Wed, 15th Jun 2011 2:46 pm 

    Bahlali nithanda ukulwa shem!

    Sive-N: I think you’re not being objective and its understandable coz you’re very good friends with Phelo. Kodwa, this article did not attack him and therefore there is no need for you to be so offensive.

    JoneighGLOABl: “I just hope that Loyiso & Zwai don’t create a combination versions of themselves thru this young man” – Phelo actually produced and wrote the songs.

    Madoncan: “Phelo is stil young,he should be busy with the exams not writing music” – he’s been with B3 for years and its never affected his school work.

    Noance: “I believe he’ll find his sound with due time” – he wrote/produced the album and its very different from his brothers’ sound so I think its safe to say he has found his sound. Especially coz he’s worked on the album for a couple of years.

    Preshy: I think you’re over-reacting. Writers/Journalists dont need a music qualification to review an artist or their work. Reason: a huge percentage of the consumers have never studied music but they can/do appreciate good music so journalists might as well fall under the consumer category.

    Sya: Phelo’s sexuality was not the biggest part of this article, it was just a paragraph with five lines.

    I’m a musician, I personally know both Phelo and Blessing and I can safely say most of you over-reacted to this article. It was not an attack on Phelo, you can find fault in the article but dont make it personal because I really do believe that Blessign was very objective.

    I once heard the music when he first started working on the album a few years ago and I was blown away by the maturity of the voice and the sound.So I cant wait for the launch tonight and I cant wait to go buy my own copy as I’m a proudly south african music lover and supporter.

  58. Letebele on Wed, 15th Jun 2011 2:47 pm 

    I meant to say Sive-N does not need to be so defensive.

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