Growing up in Port Elizabeth, Moonchild’s music-filled childhood was one of creative exploration: whether it was self-choreographing dance routines to Spice Girls tracks, teaching herself to play the piano, singing at church with her family or writing poetry, artistic expression was always encouraged.
A move to Durban in 2005 to study fashion saw Sanelly become immersed in the local music scene, and later in Johannesburg, she would write for reggae bands and freestyle against other rappers, often overcoming misogynistic attitudes in the process.
On her new album, Full Moon, she says: “I called this record FULL MOON to convey a really clear sense that I got from living and writing these experiences. Phases showcased all my sides, the different phases of the moon, and this one is all those parts of me being in unison with each other. When the moon is in phases, it shows parts of itself at a time. Full Moon is me, lit up in my entirety. The arrival of my whole self. It’s the arrival.”