I recently had the chance to catch up with Brian Temba as he celebrates an incredible 23 years in the music industry. For those who might not know Brian, he's a celebrated South African R&B and soul artist who wears many hats – singer, songwriter, actor, and producer. His career highlights include playing Simba in the West End production of The Lion King and portraying Ranthumeng Mokoena on the popular TV series Muvhango. With over two decades in the entertainment business, Brian has built quite an impressive resume.

During our candid chat, we dove into his journey through showbiz, what he's been working on lately, and his exciting future projects. Here's what he shared with me.

MUZI: Having followed your career over the years, I see you as a true success story in your field. What does black excellence mean to you personally?

BRIAN: "You know, when most people hear 'black excellence,' they immediately think about being successful, having wealth, or making good money. But for me, black excellence runs much deeper than that. It's really about responsibility and stepping into a place of leadership. It's about being a positive example for those who look up to you.

"What matters most to me is being accountable and finding ways to give back to the people coming up behind you or those who see you as a role model. That's what true black excellence looks like in my eyes.”

MUZI: How has your journey been over the years in showbiz?**

BRIAN: My journey has been incredible. I've grown so much as an artist, and there's been a lot of self-discovery along the way. That's why I now wear many hats - I'm a musician, songwriter, producer, and actor. I've been blessed to explore my gifts and have challenged myself to try many different things in the industry. Of course, with all these highs, there have been lows and challenges too, especially dealing with gatekeepers.

MUZI: What are you currently working on?

BRIAN: I just released a new single called "Rato Laka," which means "My Love" in English. I've had this long-standing desire to write and perform in Sesotho. I always wanted to sing in Sesotho, but I never felt confident that I could actually write in that style. My inspiration came from the amazing support I received from audiences in Lesotho after I played a Sotho-speaking character on Muvhango. Fans would come up to me and call me by my character's name - it was really touching. 

This single will be followed by an album called "The Legacy" at the end of April. I'm also working as a producer for some gospel artists and LaCause, which has been really exciting.

MUZI: How would you like to be remembered?

BRIAN: I'd love to be remembered as someone who changed people's lives - someone who made a real impact in society and inspired others to pursue their dreams.