User:Zimanga/sandbox

Zimangazenkosi Mthimkhulu (born 10 November 1991), popularly known as C. Z. Hamilton, is a South African writer, artist and sole founder of C.Z. Hamilton Media. He is best known for his artistic talents as an independent musician and slowly rose to minor internet and social media fame by also writing a novel & subsequently his prolific poetry series: Freeverse. He has released a number ohis first international ebook Freeverse Volume 1 in 2009 as part of a poetry series titled: FREEVERSE. It was soon followed by other titles, such as “The Graceful Gift of Words” and “The Sound of Seal“.

Early life
C.Z. Hamilton was born Zimangazenkosi Mthimkhulu on 10 November 1991 in Johannesburg, South Africa. His birth name means “Wonders of God“. The eldest of 6 children: Hamilton had always been an art lover as a child and was quite talented. He began playing guitar at 6 and piano at 11. He also began writing at the age of 10, writing short stories and by the time he was 17, he had written a large collection of short stories, poems, and was quite renowned (particularly in English) for his literary prowess at his school.

Life and Career
He wrote his first feature novel: The Memoirs of a Hopeless Romantic in 2009, the book is loosely based on his own personal experiences and debut poetry anthology: Freeverse. His current work as a multimedia-connoisseur, has boosted his repertoire, with a steadily growing following. On 4 May 2012 he released a free ebook on musician Seal entitled “The Sound of SEAL: The story behind the music” which features & profiles the past 20 years of his illustrious music career.

Music
Hamilton had an interest in music from the early age when he watched his father play as a keyboardist at their local church. His Father bought him his first guitar when he was 6 years old and he begun playing piano at the age of 10. Hamilton was however heavily inspired by guitarists such as Tony Cox, Phil Keaggy, Jimmy Dludlu, John Mayer and Preston Reed; and eventually began playing bass guitar and electric guitar as well. He studied 2 years of professional music theory on piano and his talent excelled. Today C.Z. Hamilton plays solo & enjoys composing jazz and African instrumentals, while collaborating and working on new solo projects as well.

Books
C. Z. Hamilton began writing his first short stories at the age of 10. By the age of 17, he had written a collection of short stories and poems, and was noted for his tenacity in English and literature classes during his school years. He wrote his first feature novel: The Memoirs of a Hopeless Romantic in 2009, under the pen name of C. Z. Hamilton and released it as an ebook through LULU Publishers. The book, loosely based on his own personal teenage experiences, is about his young, first love that transcends into obsession and idealism that drives him to the point of self-inflicted insanity, mild depression…and near self-destruction. The Memoirs of a Hopeless Romantic is a 4 part series of novels based on teenage love and somehow relates close to John van de Ruit‘s famous Spud series. Other books soon to be included in the series are:


 * The Hopeless Romantic’s pursuit of Happiness (2015)
 * The Hopeless Romantic III: CaZanova Rising (TBA)
 * Retrouvaille: The Gatsbyian Bachelorhood of The Hopeless Romantic (TBA)

Freeverse Series:

He released his first international poetry ebook anthology Freeverse: Volume 1 in 2010 as part of a poetry series tentatively titled: FREEVERSE.

Other books soon to be included in the series are:


 * Freeverse: Volume 2 (2012)
 * Freeverse: Volume 3 (2014)
 * Freeverse: Trilogy (2014)
 * Freestyle (2016)
 * Freedom (2017)

The Graceful Gift of Words Series:


 * The Graceful Gift of Words (2012)
 * The Graceful Gift of Words II (2012)
 * The Graceful Gift of Words III (2014)

The Sound of Seal (2012):

Late in 2011 Hamilton was inspired to write his most prolific project yet: a “reviewgraphy” about Grammy award winning artist Seal called: “The Sound of SEAL“. A part biography released on 7 May 2012. “The Sound of SEAL: The story behind the music” is a book about the life of the singer-songwriter and profiles some background on the inspirations for all his songs recorded during the first 21 years of his music career.

Other books by C.Z. Hamilton:


 * A Year to Remember (TBA)
 * Nine Lives (TBA)
 * A Girl called Nokutula (TBA)

In the media
C.Z. Hamilton particular thrives on the internet, social media and music platforms where his music and literature is widely available. He has also performed at South African indie festivals (such a the Feta De La Musicque in 2014) as a solo act and with other upcoming acts. In 2015 he shared the stage at a guitar camp with his guitar inspiration and three-time SAMA (South African Music Awards) instrumental winner Tony Cox who also happens to be a personal friend.

Other work
C.Z. Hamilton has been working on additional poetry anthologies, a sophomore novel, musical collaborations with independent artists such as rapper Luke9ine and singer Loeto.

Discography
Hamilton has released numerous EP’s and singles:

Albums

 * Birthday Notes to K. (unreleased) (2014)

Solo Piano Series:


 * Solo: First Touch (2012)
 * Solo: Revisited (with K.B.S) (2014)
 * Solo II: The 2nd (2014)
 * Solo III (2015)
 * Solo IV: The Final Touch (TBA)
 * A Solo Christmas (2016)
 * The Solo Collection (2018)

EP's

 * Rhapsody of Shadows & Sorrows (EP) (2013)
 * Pure Piano (EP) (2013)
 * At The Movies (EP) (2013)
 * Soundscapez Volume 1 (EP) (2013)
 * Soundscapez Volume 2 (EP) (TBA)
 * Remnant (TBA)

The Moment Trilogy:


 * 4 The Moment (2012)
 * At The Moment (2016)
 * From The Moment (TBA)

Singles & Features

 * Journey of Notes (2012)
 * A Good Year (2013)
 * Honeycomb (2013)
 * Johnnie Walker (featuring Luke9ine ) (2013)
 * Difference (featuring Ricoswavae) (2013)
 * Chasing Trains (2013)
 * On Christmas Eve (2013)
 * Daydreaming (2014)
 * The Second (2014)
 * The Crux (featuring Luke9ine & Tony Grammz) (2014)
 * Falling Hearts (featuring Luke9ine & Nicola) (2014)
 * Dear K (2014)
 * Portrait of You (2014)
 * Years (2014)
 * The Chase excerpt (2015)
 * Bright Lights (featuring Loeto) (2015)
 * Delusions of Grandeur (2015)