Singer, influencer, wife, friend, and all-round creative. These are just a few words that perfectly describe Thabsie, whose career has taken various forms in the over 7 years since she was introduced to us. Although Thabsie, real name Bathabise Biyela, has widely been known for her sultry vocals, she actively took on the influencer reins in 2020, during the hard lockdown, as means of allowing her creative juices to flow even in the midst of the industry silence.
“How I describe my brand now is that it is in its ‘shift era’, meaning I am ready for a gear change, moving into a different sphere. I am changing a lot of things, going back into music (after a lengthy hiatus), which is really exciting, growing the business side of the brand, and just altering things a little.
“I am in my growing era, and my brand is definitely in its growth phase,” she shares.
The extremely busy star has been serving looks on social media, and shares with us her top 10 most favorite things that contribute to who she is. Welcome to Thabsie’s world.
Phone
My phone is at the top because literally everything that I do is on this device. So it’s not about being obsessed with the phone but more about all the things it has on it, my work, and just everything that I do that happens on it. And I’m the type that keeps a phone until it literally falls apart. I don’t feel the pressure to get a new phone just because a new one just came out. Right now I am still on the iPhone 12, although a 15 has been released. I must admit that mine is almost falling apart, LOL, but I am holding on. I will get a new one ultimately.
Faith
My faith drives me, grounds me, and is definitely my source of strength. I’ve grown up in the church, and I remember how in my 20s I kind of diverted from that a little. You know, when you are young, trying to figure yourself out and figure out what faith really means to you. Now that I am older, I have found God again, and I just feel like that is where I draw my strength and find my direction. I was doubting myself a lot, and I didn’t know where to draw my confidence from. I knew I was good at certain things, but I just kept doubting myself. I needed validation from a Higher Source, and as a Christian, I started going back to church full-time this year. Now I feel as if everything has fallen into place. My life feels so much more directed.
My support system
I have the best friends, husband, and family ever, and they all form part of my support system. I am very blessed to have a nucleus of people who are really behind me and believe in me. And I feel like the support is mutual; we all rally behind each other, and that has never wavered. And that has always been a constant blessing in my life.
Travel
Through the music, that is when I first got to travel a lot, and that really opened my eyes to so many different cultures and the bigger world beyond what I knew. I enjoy traveling so much that every year I plan a couple of trips. I have one coming up with my friends just next week.
I am just obsessed with opening my horizons and experiencing the unknown. In all the places that I have been, Dubai still remains my number one destination. If you could ever think of an impossibly perfect place that actually exists, Dubai is the place. It is the ultimate travel destination, and it is the highest form of anything.
Music
Music is actually my number 1, but because I took a little break from it, it’s landed at number 5 for now.LOL. But in actual fact, music is my first love, my God-given talent, and my life wouldn’t be complete without it. Now that I am back in the studio, completing my album and coming back into the music space, it is really exciting.
Even while growing up, music formed a really huge part of me. I am the kind of person who can attach a specific song to a particular moment in my life. That is the big role that music has played in shaping who I am today.
Puppies
I am a dog mom, and I currently have four at home (recently got the fourth puppy). I grew up in a home with a lot of dogs, so I’ve always loved being around animals. I love what animals do for your mental health; they are a real emotional support, and although not as hectic as having real human babies, I still get the love and cuddles from them. My dogs are very much indoor puppies, and seldomly visit the outdoor world LOL.
Gym & fitness
I got into the gym because it was a great way for me to learn discipline. The very same discipline is the one that I apply to my work and other aspects of my life. I initially got into gyming when I met my husband, and he would invite me to workout with him. I just fell in love with it. From there, I realized that although physically, you will look good and that it keeps you young, it is the mentally strength that is so rewarding. The discipline that you learn there is insane. It instils a lot of good qualities in you and is a confidence booster. Also, once you start seeing physical changes, you realize that you can actually achieve anything.
Fenty lipgloss
Rihanna really did the right thing here. It’s my go-to, and I really love the brand overall. The lipgloss keeps your lips hydrated, luscious, and plump. But as an artist myself, it is also so inspiring to see another artist build such a successful brand outside of her music and be creative outside of the realm that people know her for. So I draw my inspiration from that, that maybe one day I too can branch out like she did.
Eric by Design X Athi Nkosi
I think if it wasn’t for this duo, I would be walking around naked. They have really gotten to know my style to the tee and have catered to that part of me. I love fashion, style, and looking good, so Eric as the stylist and Athi Nkosi as the designer really know how to interpret what is in my head. They have been an amazing extension to my style.
I am a mood dresser; I can be a tomboy today and a lady tomorrow, so this duo knows how to interpret anything that I have in mind perfectly.
Home
My home is my sanctuary. I work a lot from home, and I love how comfortable I am there. I am free; that is where I am most creative, and it is also where my husband and puppies are. I love how it is a space that we can constantly work on, upgrading and improving it just as we improve ourselves. My home is a space that I keep plowing back into and that reflects who w are. I just love my home.
