2022 is turning into the year of Moonchild Sanelly. The Port Elizabeth-born singer and international superstar has recently elevated her relationship with Scottish Leader as they partnered with GQ on their new limited edition bottle - the Moonchild Sherry Cask.
Working alongside the Scottish Leader blending team, Moonchild's ability to see the world differently inspired the team to create a whisky ideally suited to the South African palate.
The Sherry cask expression tells the love story of soft spice, ripe fruity notes, and seductive sweetness.
I caught up with the global recognised singer and dancer to find out more about her latest collaboration with Scottish Leader x GQ
1. Romley: How about we start of this interview with knowing your full name, I think a lot of people only know you as Moonchild?
Moonchild: My name is Sanelisiwe Twisha, well my name I use it as my surname. I'm professionally know as Moonchild Sanelly.
2. Romley: Age, Birthday & Star sign?
Moonchild: I'm 34 turning 35 in November the 20th, I'm a Scorpio AF.
3. Romley: Everyone knows you are an international superstar and consistently touring, which country/ continent would you say you are obsessed with and why?
Moonchild: well this year, I'd say Belgium, Australia has got the most insane crowd followed by Barcelona. But, the world is insane. I love the world. London is home.
4. Romley: How did the collaboration between you and Scottish leader x GQ came about?
Moonchild: The collaboration between the 3 of us came together with me working with Scottish leader and Scottish leader collaborating with GQ then it became a proper triangle between the 3 of us for the whiskey bottle initially yeah..
5. Romley: The Scottish leader bottle is amazing and looks creatively thought out, did you have an input to the bottle design?
Moonchild: Thank you so much, I definitely was very much involved in the design of the bottle because we seeked inspiration. And that was with my hair and it's origins, where even the Spanish have this type of yarn. So we just looked into the diaspora specificlly and just like...mmh Yeah make it make sense hahaha with the Moon Mop even in the story and how we just weaved everything together. excuse the pun hahahahaha
6. Romley: You are certainly breaking broundries wherever you go, I like how you are breaking broundries with collaborating with a Whisky brand - as whisky is labelled a men's drink....
Moonchild: I think I'm basically saying the middle finger to whoever said everything is a men's thing, because we have palettes and we have tastes and we have options and choices. And so, Middle finger to the man who decided whisky is a men's drink. So breaking those boundaries is just me raising a middle finger going as I am. And, You know what I mean, I'm just breaking the boundaries because if I'm not going to change it, what am I in this world for..
7. Romley: You ooze confidence and I must say I'm not the only one who is in love with your free-spirited personality...what inspires it?
Moonchild: I think even just in my upbringing I was allowed to express, so in just me being able to be comfortable with myself is something that came from childhood. And it's just something like " lento ise gazini man" .. I think I could put it that way because It's never something that I have had to break into, it's just something that i had to grew and develop into because I was just always expressive.
8. Romley: Moonchild is booked and busy, what are some of the future projects you are working on?
Moonchild: Of course! My agent's are already busy with the bookings for next year's world tour. As usual, we are gonna be recording and we already have some music ready for the next project. We have already got some music ready for the next project, but we are gonna be recording fully focussed on the next album. February next year we should be going overseas to go do the next project and then start touring because, you know... in March and April I do the U.S, and do Europe and then the U.K until Summer is over. Then back to South Africa sizodla amaBonus ka December. Chasing Summer typa life. Yeah
9. Romley: In reference to one of your popular songs "Chicken or The Egg". What do you think came first?
Moonchild: I think the biggest thing with the song "Chicken or the Egg" actually if you look at the narrative, and if you look at it deeper. Firstly, it's not even about the right answer, It's more about the people with an answer, imposing what they believe so. Because, it's based on people's believe at this point. I know the real answer, but are you open to listening to the reasoning of other people. Another way you could also look at it is, in fact - in Love, if you take the love for chicken and you personalize it. In Love - you love a person and when they change you don't love them, then I think the lesson becomes about the love of chicken. You love chicken even if it's fried, boiled, steamed, roasted.. you know... Or braaid. You still love chicken and your love for chicken is consistent. So, if you adopted your love for chicken into humans, then you'd be less judgemental.
10. Romley: If you had to leave the world and your fans with a quote to inspire them. What would be your parting words of inspiration?
Moonchild: I would say, always do you, the world would adjust. Because it will never be a job to be yourself, but it will always be heavy to try and study someone that already existed. You were born alone, so do you. Always.