THE South African music scene has come a long way since the beginning of democracy.
In 1994 a lot changed for the better in the entertainment industry and many artists who were oppressed were able to use their talent to help lead the people of the nation into a better world.
The black South African film and TV industry also began catching up with the rest of the world and we also began telling our own stories in our own languages.
- Dubbed as the king of kwaito, Arthur Mafokate is one of the few artists who defied the old system and was brave enough to write songs addressing the apartheid regime at the time.
His song Don’t Call Me a Kaffir caused a stir and it was banned from a number of radio stations in 1994.
He is also one of the pioneers of the kwaito music genre which is original to and identifies the diversity of South Africa.
- 1994 also saw the birth of the first independent record label in Mzansi, Oskido. It was spearheaded by DJ and producer Oscar “Oskido” Mdlongwa.
The label birthed the likes of old-school hit group Boom Shaka which was led by the late Lebo Mathosa, Theo Nhlengethwa, Thembi Seete and Junior, and also Bongo Maffin, Mafikizolo, BOP, Trompies, Alaska and new school stars like Professor, Character, Uhuru and Dr Malinga.
This year Kalawa celebrates 20 years of existence, like South Africa’s democracy, and it has changed the music game by going against the norm and experimenting and growing out of home brewed music.
Oskido said: “When I started, I did not think it would be this big. When you look at the timeline, it’s overwhelming and I am very thankful for the support thus far.
“Being part of 20 years of democracy is something that one does not plan! Some of my peers and people with whom I worked at the beginning are no longer with me so being here 20 years later is amazing.”
When asked why Kalawa Jazmee was formed he said: “It began in the era where we felt, as young people, that we were not being heard - and I decided to give it a try and use what we can to empower the youth and if the Americans could do it why not us.”
He also said that he would like to thank the supporters for being loyal - “even when we did wrong they forgave us. We are also human, we are not perfect but we have learned from our mistakes.”
- TS Records owned by business men TK Nciza and Sbusiso Leope housed the likes of Ntando, Mzekezeke, the late Brown Dash and Brickz.
Their commitment to the music industry has helped create a platform and expose talented individuals.
In 2011 they introduced a new singing sensation, Zahara, who took Mzansi by storm with her debut album, Loliwe.
She was the second female artist in Mzansi to sell over 100000 albums and reach double platimun status after Brenda Fassie.
Zahara also won eight awards at the South African Music Awards in 2012.
- Male isicathamiya group Ladysmith Black Mbabazo came to life in 1960 and they have been holding on strong to their traditional sound. They changed status of Mzansi music by setting the bar high and brought back home four Grammy Awards in 1998, 2005, 2009 and 2014.
- In 2005 a movie called Tsotsi won the Best Foreign Language Film Academy Award. It featured local stars including Terry Pheto, Presley Chweneyagae, Mothusi Mogano and Zola 7 among others.
- With the highs there are always lows, most of the lows were the deaths of some of our talented stars.
Vul’indlela singer Brenda Fassie passed away in 2004, which tore the industry apart. Her estates were the talk of Mzansi news and she left her son, Bongani Fassie, to run Fassie Records, which he does to this day.
Sexy songstress Lebo Mathosa was the girl that every man loved and was envied by many for her beautiful voice and personality. Her solo career took off immediately after she decided to focus on her career without Boom Shaka.
Dubbed “the drama queen”, there was never a dull moment around her but she passed away in 2006 in a car accident. Her death, which many felt came too early, left a void in those that knew her personally and her many admirers.
Global icon, Miriam Makeba, who was famously hailed as Mama Africa, passed away in 2008 while in Italy. Her death was mourned by the nation for a long time as she was one of the few musicians who made sure that the world knew that South Africa also had talent.
But after our spreading wings for just 20 years, we are only the beginning to experience the greatness that has and still will come out of Mzansi’s musical artists for many more years to come.
on dailysun.
Booking Maffin ,Booking Mafikizolo,Booking Character ,Booking Professor ,Bookimg Dr Malinga Contactct: 071 519 9908 or djsproduction.events@gmail.com
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