M'du Masilela
Encyclopedia
M'du Masilela aka 'The Godfather', aka ' Chomi Yabana' is a living legend in the music industry in South Africa. He is popularly known for the Kwaito
music genre. Born in Zola South in 1970, M'du began his music aspirations on his grandmother's piano. As a young man in school, M'du created several groups. On completion of his matric studies he began performing with artists such as Pat Shange, Yvonne Chaka Chaka
and Sello 'Chicco' Twala. M'du and his long time pal and collaborator, Mandla 'Spikiri' Mofokeng formed MM Deluxe in 1988 to showcase their talents by mixing township folk music with international dance music. Their first project was the album Where were you? released in 1989 on Cool Spot Productions. M'du had his debut album released in 1990, titled LA Beat with assistance from producer and engineer, Peter Snyman which went on to sell 25,000 units.
, Yvonne Chaka Chaka
and Vicky Sampson for a music video flighted at the United Nations
' Assembly in Washington, D.C.
. and Greece. In 1998 he recorded a remix of Days Like This by Kenny Lattimore
a popular American R&B Singer. Recently he has been working with Mzekezeke, Kabelo Mabalane
, Brown Dash. Apart from his group efforts and production commitments, M'du in his own right is a kwaito star and his Cd's are guaranteed to be certified Platinum (selling more than 50 000 records), whenever he releases a record. He relaunched his record label M'du Records through a joint venture with EMI
South Africa, the first album to be released was Ya Rocka taking it back to the kwaito flavour. There is a pumping, bass-heavy remix that M'du composed for Skizo and Thebe called Tshasa,which is one of the best kwaito remixes ever from the Skizo album Limited Edition. In between his busy schedule he flies to Belgium, France, London producing musical scores for BBC and Sky News.
, Masilela's decision to become a producer himself signifies "a growing black economic empowerment within the music industry." Equally as important is the fact that in recruiting and producing his own talent, M'du creates a very localized form of Kwaito music that can be identified with the South African township culture. In an interview with Aryan Kaganof, M'du asserts, "I wanted to do what I feel" about his decision to become an independent producer. Later, he adds, "I don't think that the township culture will die out. It's still here in the suburbs, to us it's still the same. We've got a whole lot of black people living around here and to us it's our country in South Africa", which indicates that he identifies Kwaito music, his role as a key player in its production and the township culture all with one another. By producing for himself, M'du reasserts his South African identity in the context of global media companies.
Albums produced and/or arranged for/with other artists
Kwaito
Kwaito is a music genre that emerged in Johannesburg, South Africa, during the 1990s. It is a variant of house music featuring the use of African sounds and samples. Typically at a slower tempo range than other styles of house music, Kwaito often contains catchy melodic and percussive loop samples,...
music genre. Born in Zola South in 1970, M'du began his music aspirations on his grandmother's piano. As a young man in school, M'du created several groups. On completion of his matric studies he began performing with artists such as Pat Shange, Yvonne Chaka Chaka
Yvonne Chaka Chaka
Yvonne Chaka Chaka is a South African singer.Dubbed the "Princess of Africa", Chaka Chaka has been at the forefront of South African popular music for 20 years...
and Sello 'Chicco' Twala. M'du and his long time pal and collaborator, Mandla 'Spikiri' Mofokeng formed MM Deluxe in 1988 to showcase their talents by mixing township folk music with international dance music. Their first project was the album Where were you? released in 1989 on Cool Spot Productions. M'du had his debut album released in 1990, titled LA Beat with assistance from producer and engineer, Peter Snyman which went on to sell 25,000 units.
Production talents
M'du briefly worked for CSR Records as a producer and engineer for Chicco, Dr Victor and Bayethe. In 1994, M'du created M'du Productions, which up to this date is a formidable force in the production of Kwaito music in South Africa. He went to form a group known as Mashamplani with countless hits such as 'Kumnandi' and 'Bokoloshe' and has produced for the late MaWillies. He has collaborated with PJ PowersPJ Powers
Penelope Jane Dunlop also known as PJ Powers or Thandeka has enjoyed a highly successful musical career in South Africa spanning more than 15 years. P.J. Powers has recorded 15 albums and is well known for her UK chart hit "World In Union" in 1995.-Early life and career:Penelope was born in...
, Yvonne Chaka Chaka
Yvonne Chaka Chaka
Yvonne Chaka Chaka is a South African singer.Dubbed the "Princess of Africa", Chaka Chaka has been at the forefront of South African popular music for 20 years...
and Vicky Sampson for a music video flighted at the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
' Assembly in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
. and Greece. In 1998 he recorded a remix of Days Like This by Kenny Lattimore
Kenny Lattimore
Kenny Lattimore is an American R&B singer. Among his most popular hits were "Never Too Busy" and "For You".- Early career :...
a popular American R&B Singer. Recently he has been working with Mzekezeke, Kabelo Mabalane
Kabelo Mabalane
Kabelo Mabalane known by his stage name as Kabelo or Bouga Luv is a South African kwaito musician, songwriter and actor. He was a member of the kwaito trio TKZee...
, Brown Dash. Apart from his group efforts and production commitments, M'du in his own right is a kwaito star and his Cd's are guaranteed to be certified Platinum (selling more than 50 000 records), whenever he releases a record. He relaunched his record label M'du Records through a joint venture with EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
South Africa, the first album to be released was Ya Rocka taking it back to the kwaito flavour. There is a pumping, bass-heavy remix that M'du composed for Skizo and Thebe called Tshasa,which is one of the best kwaito remixes ever from the Skizo album Limited Edition. In between his busy schedule he flies to Belgium, France, London producing musical scores for BBC and Sky News.
Personal life
A quiet family man, M'du likes to keep his family life private. He has been married for 19 years to his high school sweetheart, Sarah Masilela who also runs a Management Company working alongside her husband. Together they have 3 children Dineo, Lebo and Andile.M'du Productions
M'du Masilela's production company represents both the accomplishments of M'du himself and the progress of the new generation of South African musicians with regard to exploitative production companies. Indeed, African musical sensations have not always been in control of their franchises. According to an article from the 1998 edition of the Saturday Star called 'From 60's stars to 90's Beggars', the 40s, 50s and even 60s were rife with "systematically exploited black performers." In response to this victimization, the new generation of South African artists plan to be proactive and avoid the mistakes of their predecessors. With an independent attitude, these performers have approached the more global companies quite skeptically, in an attempt to avoid at least one middleman in the music industry chain. Despite the fact that distribution will continue to be accessible to global companies like SonySony
, commonly referred to as Sony, is a Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan and the world's fifth largest media conglomerate measured by revenues....
, Masilela's decision to become a producer himself signifies "a growing black economic empowerment within the music industry." Equally as important is the fact that in recruiting and producing his own talent, M'du creates a very localized form of Kwaito music that can be identified with the South African township culture. In an interview with Aryan Kaganof, M'du asserts, "I wanted to do what I feel" about his decision to become an independent producer. Later, he adds, "I don't think that the township culture will die out. It's still here in the suburbs, to us it's still the same. We've got a whole lot of black people living around here and to us it's our country in South Africa", which indicates that he identifies Kwaito music, his role as a key player in its production and the township culture all with one another. By producing for himself, M'du reasserts his South African identity in the context of global media companies.
Charitable efforts
M'du set up Chomi Ya Bana Foundation to help disadvantaged youths with their education.FanBase
In an effort to keep his flame burning a fan site dedicated to M'du has been set up on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/pages/Mdu-Masilela/15931245169?ref=ts for all to come join in and contribute to how their lives have been affected by his music. The popularity of this fanpage is evident in the number of fans present. As an independent fanpage it has been able to capture his true fans and is still growing. It is anticipated that Mr Masilela will find the time to endorse the page and contribute to it.Discography
Albums Performed| Year | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Where were you? | Cool Spot Productions |
| 1990 | LA Beat | CSR |
| 1996 | Ipompe | Epic |
| 1996 | Shwabana Ghost Mixes | Epic/Sony S.A. |
| 1997 | Always Da Case | M'DU |
| 1998 | M'Du or Die | EPIC S.A. |
| 1998 | Let M'du Jam - the other side | unknown |
| 1999 | 24 Seven | M'Du/Epic S.A. |
| 2000 | No Pas No Special | Epic/Sony S.A. |
| 2001 | The Godfather | Epic/Sony S.A. |
| 2002 | The Godfather's party | Gallo |
| 2003 | The Godfather Chissa | Gallo |
| 2004 | Ya Rocka | M'DU/CCP/EMI |
| 2005 | C-Simple | M'DU/CCP/EMI |
| 2008 | Believe It Or Not | CCP |
Albums produced and/or arranged for/with other artists
| Year | Title | Artist | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Hey Kop | Mashamplani | ||
| 1997 | Intwenjani | MaWillies | ||
| 1997 | Nothing But The Jam | Dennis Mpale | ||
| Ma We Rainbow Squads | Ma Kap Kap | |||
| Lost 'n' Found | Mashamplani | |||
| 1998 | Neva Neva | Mashamplani | ||
| 1999 | 4 Ever | Mashamplani | ||
| 2000 | Angeke | Mashamplani | ||
| 2000 | Ema | Skeem | Ntwenjani | MaWillies |
| 2004 | Back 2 Square 1 | Mashamplani | ||
| E-Styla Sami | MaG-Mbo's | |||
| Mthandazo Wabolova | Brown Dash | |||
| 2006 | Dashboard | Brown Dash | ||
| 2007 | Wanted: Kunjalo Kunjalo | Mashamplani 2 |
External links
- http://www.sternsmusic.com/discography/5484
- http://thepagethreereport.blogspot.com/2007_05_01_archive.html
- http://ccprecords.co.za
- http://www.allbusiness.com/retail-trade/miscellaneous-retail-retail-stores-not/4645389-1.html
- http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Mdu-Masilela/15931245169?ref=ts