Monday, October 31, 2016

King Monada invades airwaves


The song, which is almost a year old, has only recently caught on and become a hit across Mzansi's radio stations.
The artist behind the track is Khutso Steven Kgale who prefers being called King Monada.
Although his fame is only now becoming known to Jozi fans, he effortlessly fills up the stadiums in his hometown Mokgolobotho and the rest of Limpopo.
He goes all out to entertain his fans. He is popular for his hyper-energetic performances - kinda like the Michael Jackson in these parts.
But when he is off stage he is completely different.
He is a tall and soft-spoken young man who, at first glance, comes across as an introvert.
At the beginning of our conversation, he looks a little uptight, giving one-word answers and avoids eye-contact at all cost.
But when his music becomes the topic he warms-up and flashes a warm smile that lightens his velvety dark cheeks.
The 24-year-old says music is all he knows and he spends most of his time making hits.
Born in Mokgolobotho, just outside Tzaneen, Monada sings in Khelobedu, his home language similar to Sepedi.
The only other star to ever come out of this region was the legendary disco musician Peta Teanet to whom Monada looks up.
"My lyrics are inspired by ordinary activities taking place around me," he explains.
When asked what inspired his current hit song, directly translated, "Don't Bore The Buyer", he says it's about people buying alcohol and having to deal with hangarounds who don't contribute but end up finishing the dop.
He says he finds this very fascinating.
"I thought about it and decided to make a song," he laughs.
He says he has been making music since 2005, but always yearned to be famous one day.
His love for music dates back to his early years when he used to watch his uncle play drums with his friends.
"We stayed at my grandmother's house, part of which was a tavern, where my uncle used to play drums with a band. Whenever they were booked to play somewhere else I used to go with them," he said.
He would think to himself: "I can do this".
Then someone offered him an old computer and taught him the basics of using software to create music beats.
He locked himself in his room making music day in and day out.
"My mother used to disapprove of the loud music coming out of my room," he says.
It doesn't bother him that some people don't understand his lyrics due to the language barrier.
He reckons that music is a universal language, and says he also enjoys Nigerian music which he doesn't understand, but loves the rhythm.
"Nigerian artists Davido and Wizkid are some of my favourites," he says.
Before he was discovered by Open Mic Production bosses, he performed at taverns and local parties.
Monada was then headhunted after one of the production company's owners heard his song in Limpopo.
"Since then life has changed in many ways, including financially. I now get booked at big events," he says, while struggling to hide his excitement.
Monada says it has not been easy sailing.
He says some people used to tell him that his tunes wouldn't go beyond the village.
"That discouraged me because I felt like I was doing music that would not be enjoyed by the rest of South Africa."
What kept him going was the passion and some fans who encouraged him to continue because they enjoyed it.
"Nothing makes me happier than making music that is well received," he says.
Monada now has his eye on the Song of the Year Awards for both Metro FM and the South African Music Awards.

For Booking King Monada , Booking Ska Borha Moreki : booking@djsproduction.co.za / 0813401356

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