Ipeleng on The Making of Her Sophomore Project and Lessons Learnt
It has been over a year since South African artist, singer and song-writer; Ipeleng has graced the world with the release of her debut EP titled Unsolicited. Ipeleng’s delicate and soothingly raw vocals, highlights and places emphasis on the disappointment, grief and self-reflection that comes with the heartbreak of a failed romantic or platonic relationship. Unsolicited, a seamless body of work, consisting of 7-tracks, encapsulates and resonates with the artist’s personal experiences and pain.
On the 30th May 2021, Ipeleng released her latest EP titled, pHantom. The 6-Track EP tackles themes of intimacy, vulnerability, and healing from a failed relationship. Described as an intimate extension of the artist, pHantom reflects on the artist’s path to healing. “The pHantom EP is an extension of myself, my intimate relations, and all the intricacies in between; it was my path to healing from the wounds of illusion,”.
Inspired by a “shift in perspective”, Ipeleng notes that for a very long time she believed that the maltreatment/betrayal she endured was linked to who she was and her shortcomings.
“A great part of this EP was birthed from a shift in perspective. There was an immense shift in the way that I viewed betrayal, the ways in which I internalized it. For a very long I believed that maltreatment was linked to who I was and my shortcomings… (but) People behave in the ways that they do because of where they come from, what they’ve seen, what they’ve learned, and because of the things they have not healed from.”
Acknowledging the Covid-19 pandemic and the challenges that it has enforced, Ipeleng notes that the greatest challenge she had encountered whilst creating her EP was working remotely with other creatives, “The only greatest challenge was working effectively with people remotely. Owami, my producer and I tasked ourselves with the creation of this project in the middle of a pandemic. Tapping into each other’s creativity over a device was really difficult and downright awful. Nonetheless, we made it work…”
Phantom, infused with delicate melodies and soulful harmonic blends, Ipeleng takes her listeners on a journey of introspection and healing.
For more on her latest EP, inspirations, creative process, and influences read our interview below.
This interview has been lightly edited for the purpose of clarity and context.
Wanique Block: Who is Ipeleng outside of music?
Ipeleng: Ipeleng is a creative, a writer, an aesthete, and a feminist.
How did your love for music start?
I can’t really say nor pinpoint the exact time and place my love for music began. Immersing myself in music and making music feels like something I’ve always known. I want to note, however, that growing up my mother had a very deep love for music – choral music to be precise. She conducted a few choirs, she was a part of a choir and I would always tag along to the rehearsals. The soothing blends of choral harmony and song was incredibly mesmerizing to my little brain. I think my love for music was innate but it was in these environments where it was nurtured.
You recently released your new E.P titled pHantom. What was the intent/inspiration behind this new body of work?
A great part of this EP was birthed from a shift in perspective. There was an immense shift in the way that I viewed betrayal, the ways in which I internalised it. For a very long I believed that maltreatment was linked to who I was and my shortcomings. This was very self-centred and it completely disregarded human complexity. People behave in the ways that they do because of where they come from, what they’ve seen, what they’ve learned and because of things they have not healed. More often than not, maltreatment has nothing to do with you. Although not an entirely new observation, my grappling with it was.
What was the inspiration behind the name of the title “pHantom”?
The word phantom describes something that you imagine exists or that appears to exist, although in fact, it does not. It was the perfect descriptor of what it was like to be intimately involved with someone who was a shell of themselves; someone who consistently fought off vulnerability, a deeper understanding of themselves, and healing. It can be damaging to be that close to someone who has no will to be and to do better.
If you had to choose one favorite track from your E.P, which one would it be?
This changes very frequently. There is a new favorite [song] every second day but at this very moment, on the 16th of June 2021, my absolute favorite is “Sweet Sapphire”. There is a soothing depth that I keep uncovering each time I listen to this song.
This is your 2nd E.P, How has your creative process changed and developed since releasing your first E.P, Unsolicited?
My creative process has definitely become more collaborative. I am no longer working largely on my lonesome. I’ve found myself opening up my creative and sacred space to people more easily. The exchange of creative energy is intoxicating and something I hope to do more of in the future.
What’s your songwriting process like? Where do you draw inspiration from?
A bulk of my writing comes from thoughts already written down. Writing poetry, short excerpts, and one-liners is something I do very regularly and so my songwriting is generally a fleshing out of these ideas. Inspiration is drawn from all realms of my existence. Sometimes a story I tell has been completely imagined in great detail and depth. Other times it’s drawn directly from my intentional reflections and introspection. I am inspired by the creativity and artistry that surrounds me too.
What were some of the challenges you faced when creating pHantom? And how have you dealt with those challenges?
Phantom is a project I really took my time with. Much of it was a seamless and natural undertaking. The only greatest challenge was working effectively with people remotely. Owami, my producer, and I tasked ourselves with the creation of this project in the middle of a pandemic. Tapping into each other’s creativity over a device was really difficult and downright awful. Nonetheless, we made it work. There was an immense dedication to our craft and vision. Ultimately it was that dedication that helped us power on.
As an artist, how would you describe your sound?
I’ve never ever known how to categorize my sound. This is something I have and seems will always struggle with.
Which artists would you like to work with in the future?
Roho, Sergiodeartist (again), Nannette, M’ax, Phiwo, and Yolophonic. The South African music industry is booming in my opinion. There are just so many gems I would like to experience creatively.
What do you hope people take away from listening to pHantom?
Of all my intentions, the most pertinent one when I make the decision to release music is to always ease the healing of the listener in some way or the other. This could come in the form of me putting your complex emotions and experiences into words or simply having a cathartic moment with music.
What’s the one quote/mantra you live by?
“Do nothing without intention”
What’s next for Ipeleng?
I am planning on releasing visuals for my music, and possibly a live show after the COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted.
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