Not only is singer Toya Delazy dominating the MTN SAMA 19 awards with six nominations but she's also likely to dominate the yellow carpet with her street style.

 

The Love is in the Air star is planning to walk down the yellow carpet with her entire team. She's also working with designer, Suzaan Heyns, to produce a show stopping outfit for her performance at the awards on Saturday. Suzaan was recently named the most Stylish Designer at the 16th Annual South African Style Awards. In a move sure to raise a few eyebrows, Toya says she'll be walking the yellow carpet in an outfit from Legit clothing stores. Yes you heard right, Toya is ditching the favoured designer brands for something a bit more budget-friendly. She was recently made the face of the clothing brand with her own line, the Toya DeLazy range, at stores across the country. 

 

"I'll be wearing my own range just to show off them off because not everyone has seen all the stuff; there's some really cool stuff so it will be nice to wear it on the yellow carpet," she says.

 

Toya, whose real name is Latoya Buthelezi, says after her contract as brand ambassador for Reebok ended she was keen to join the clothing store who approached her after recognising her personal style. 

 

"I love fashion and this afforded me the opportunity to experience what it would be like to have your own fashion line. It was lovely inspiring them with my wardrobe and picking some items which I thought were really cool. A lot of people have asked me already, 'please where can I buy your clothes, we love your stuff'. This was quite a good opportunity, it came at a good time," she says. 

 

Her Due Drop Delux has earned her countrywide fame. The album is nominated for six SAMA's including Best Pop Album, Record of the Year and Best Producer. She's also been nominated for Newcomer of the Year. Toya, who's from Zululand in KwaZulu-Natal, describes her upbringing as humble. She went to boarding school at the age of six and was introduced to her love for the piano at the convent hostel.

 

"The album was inspired by hardships. I was sick of always struggling, so I decided to sing to make myself feel better and it worked quite well. I also figured out that I could make a living off the music that I make so I decided to go into music," she says.

 

  

 

Toya says she'd love to collaborate with fellow SAMA nominee ChianoSky. They're going head to head in the newcomer category. She says she’d also like to work with Big Nuz. Toya adds that she's hoping to take her music to a worldwide audience. 

 

"I do have plans to go into the international market. We are pushing to get into Europe and of course in Africa. Due Drop is currently playing on radio in Germany. I've done quite a lot of interviews from Germany…hopefully we can do something with some of the producers there soon."

 

Fans can vote for Love is in the Air, nominated for Record of the Year, by texting 'R' to 083 123 7262 (083 123 SAMA). 

 

Tamlyn Canham