After receiving an invite to come and see Tumi perform live at the 5fm studios on Saturday afternoon I got excited but also mused over how this experience was going to be. He was also to be doing an interview with Catherine on her Live at 5 segment on her show. I remembered attending a similar event at Metro FM where Simphiwe Dana, Gloria Bosman and Thandiswa Mazwai treated us to great music when T-Bose Mokwele was still with the station.

It turned out to be the same setup. Tumi performed songs from his latest album Whole Worlds and also answered questions posed by Catherine. He spoke extensively about his time with Tumi And The Volume and how branching off to do his own thing came about. He also touched on the selection criteria for the artists he works with, also bringing some of them on stage to perform the tracks they are featured on. Some of those artists included MXO (who sounded better than I’ve heard him in a live environment) and Zubz (who always delivers). One of the highlights though was the reaction from the studio audience when Tumi brought Reazon who gave us a tight verse on the remix of the Brickz-featured Bambezela.

The support from the industry and friends was amazing. Amongst some familiar faces I spotted were record label mogul and hip hop aficionado Thabiso Khathi (also known in hip hop circles as Hip Hop Scholar) and wife Bridget Masinga, singers Pebbles and Nosisa (former lead vocalist for funk/jazz band Kwani Experience).

It was a beautiful, relaxed afternoon filled with joy, laughter and amazing music from Tumi and his newly-created band. Guests were also treated to pizzas (which I didn’t even get to taste because I was busy taking pics and by the time I tried, it was all gone, lol) and cocktails.

Tumi is a truly talented MC musician. I can’t wait to see him perform again. Cop your copy of Whole Worlds available at music shops now. You’ll experience Mzansi hip hop like you’ve never before. Also check out the write-up we did after attending the listening session late last year HERE.