In our entertainment chat this month, we met with Sindile Madida, a notable figure in the colorful fabric of South African music, better known by her stage name, Mickey Monarch. As a female rapper in Mzansi, Sindile is creating waves with her music that captures the spirit of her journey. Born and raised in Johannesburg East, she presently resides in the same city.
Before we dive into her musical prowess, we sought to understand the woman who inspired this powerhouse of talent. Sindile pointed to none other than her mother, Lorraine, as a beacon of strength and inspiration. Lorraine's resilience in every aspect – physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual – has been a guiding force for Sindile. Gratefully acknowledging her mother's influence, Sindile emphasizes the profound impact of being introduced to the world of God by her, considering it the greatest gift anyone can receive. She also mentioned that her sister Barbie Monroe is another inspiring woman in her life. She carried on and highlighted that Barbie’s fashion sense and endless support are priceless. “She is also intelligent, a go-getter and she inspire me to always push forward,” said Sindile.
Turning our attention to her musical journey, Sindile shared that music has been an integral part of her life since the tender age of four. Her official foray into a music career commenced in 2017 with the release of her debut single, "Back Water," leveraging platforms like SoundCloud and Facebook for promotion. Emphatically driven by passion rather than fame or financial gains, Sindile drew inspiration from a diverse array of artists, including Beyoncé, Nicki Minaj, Jason Networth, Jay Z, Kanye West, Eminem, and various others.
Despite the challenges faced by female artists in the industry, Sindile expresses genuine happiness, attributing it to the unwavering support of her dedicated fan base, aptly named "My Monarchs." While acknowledging the industry's biases, she remains resilient, standing tall against sexism, discrimination, and stereotypes.
As we traversed through her accomplishments, Sindile recounted being the most followed and viewed upcoming female artist, securing an award, and earning multiple global nominations. She credits the love from her fans and the power of faith for keeping her afloat in an industry that can often be unfair.
Shifting the spotlight to her latest project, "Miss President," Sindile elucidates its significance as a testament to her leadership and queenly persona. Expressing a deep connection with her spirituality, she reveals that every song on the project was born from prayer, marking a distinctive departure from her usual creative process.
"Miss President" aims to empower women, break stereotypes, and motivate individuals to pursue their dreams against societal expectations. Sindile collaborates with upcoming female rapper Trusted SLK, sending a powerful message of unity among women in the hip-hop scene. The project, produced by a diverse team of talents, has received acclaim as the best hip-hop/rap project by a female artist in South Africa and Africa overall.
Beyond the mic, Sindile invests time in spiritual growth, watching sermons, building her Bible studies, and finding solace in cooking and baking. Looking ahead, she envisions a future filled with collaborations, radio, and TV plays, and, by God's grace, standing as the Best Female Artist in Africa worldwide.
In the symphony of Mickey Monarch's musical journey, each note resonates with a powerful narrative of strength, resilience, and unwavering faith. As she continues her ascent, we eagerly anticipate the crescendo of her reign in the realm of African rap.