Jostling about in the back of a matatu from Nairobi’s South B suburb to the city centre a couple months ago with TKZee’s Fiasco blaring, I had to smile at the memory it evoked: Members and former school mates Tokollo “Magesh” Tshabalala, Kabelo “Bouga Luv” Mabalane, and Zwai Bala sheepishly confessing publicly they’d named their then hit in error. They’d meant “fiesta”. As in, a celebration. It was 1999 around December, generally accepted in South Africa as the season where Kwaito singles compete for dancefloor domination. For the two summers prior, TKZee had done this and won, mostly with their breakthrough album Halloween.
Singlehandedly it raised the bar for Kwaito’s production values. In the early 90s jazz maestro Don Laka had hinted at a Jazz/Kwaito marriage which made the grown folks nod. An achievement because of the reputation of Kwaito at the time as senseless music for the youth.
TKZee took it further. Their close affiliation with another Jazz genius, the late Moses Molelekwa, spilled over into the album, which was one of the first in the genre to successfully balance live and programmed instruments. The unprecedented combination of producer/arranger Zwai’s classical music training with Kabelo and Tokollo’s rugged Kwaito and rap sensibility meant sonically, technically and commercially, the game had changed.
No longer would filler Kwaito releases with just the one hit be acceptable as had been the case all along. Now TKZee’s hundreds of thousands of fans could savour album tracks like Mambotjie. Or they could choose radio/club bangers Dlala Mapantsula and Palafala, actually a revamped version of the same song released long before their full length album.
Looking back Shibobo sampling Europe’s cheese-rock song The Final Countdown was more than just a clever idea. It was almost prophetic: That song – still the fastest and biggest selling CD single by a South African recording artist in history (100 000 units in a month) – featured Blackburn Rovers striker Benni McCarthy, that year the joint top scorer at the 1998 African Cup of Burkina Faso. TKZee were on their victory run and it seemed they couldn’t be stopped.
Except, of course, they stopped.
For a good 7 years since dropping a couple albums to do with the extended TKZee family, and launching careers of, for example, R&B singer Loyiso Bala they’ve been AWOL.
No official reasons have been given for the informal disbanding although there has been talk of ego conflict, rock and roll excesses etc. A lot has happened in their personal lives and we’re hoping when AfriPOP! chats with Kabelo, the most prolific of the three at a solo attempt, he’ll fill us in. So far we’re aware of TKZee’s up-coming UK date at East London’s Stratford Rex on Saturday 5 December, their just released reunion album Coming Home (click here to watch their video for single Sdudla), and the lucrative endorsement deal with mobile phone company MTN via which South Africa’s best loved Kwaito group will once again bring together the music and the beautiful game.
So what is the nature of your endorsement deal with MTN?
One f our songs, Viva La Pantsula was selected by MTN to spearhead the MTN Ayoba TV campaign. Secondly, we were selected as one of four groups (Skwatta Kamp, HHP, Jozi, & TKZee) whose music help launch MTN’s new 64k sim card. This association will see us touring across the country performing, doing appearances as well as having four songs exclusively
available for download purposes.
Were it not for the MTN world cup endorsement would the incentive have been less?
The deal was the result of the album coming together.
It wasn’t until Palafala that the public embraced Tkzee, what about Take it Eezy the EP made people hesitate at first?
We were still finding our feet as producers and musicians in the commercial space and the reason Palafala took off is that we went back to the drawing board and immersed ourselves in the industry – clubbing, learning the trade,hanging with other musos.
Did you have it in your minds to ever do a straight-ahead hip-hop album?
We are influenced by Hip-hop but our inspiration varies and it becomes pretty hard to box us in one genre. For instance, on this album there are songs with Hip-hop, Gospel, Acid Jazz, R&B & rock influences. As Tokollo likes to put it “it’s a nice cocktail for the rainbow nation”.
What are your thoughts on South African Hip-hop now?
It’s great, its’ always been great. And it’s nice to see the variety, and that rap has gone from being just an English language-based genre to the one that incorporates some supremely talented artists that rhyme in native South African language.
Any favourites on the scene?
HHP, Pro-Kid, Merafe.
Where is Kwaito at right now in its evolution?
Kwaito is alive and well. The genre has matured and moved into a different life stage. Local Hip-hop is at the stage where Kwaito was at 15 years ago – where there was a growing excitement and cultural adoption thereof.
Do you anticipate the audience is looking for a brand new TKZee or is it mostly nostalgic 90s-hangers on seeking more of the same?
A brand as pervasive and timeless as TKZee comes across race and age segments. we appeal to a broad base of people who have a broad musical palatte. As such we designed this new project to have elements that appeal to the lovers of old school, as well as those whose tastes are firmly rooted in the new school.
Is Kwaito a genre you can gracefully age within?
Absolutely. The genre like ourselves is evolutionary.
You’re quite vocal about your Christian faith. Was it something you grew up with?
My granny tought me the fear the lord from a young age and that stuck with me. I came to know the Lord Jesus in 1996 and my life hasn’t been the same ever since. I have however taken my walk seriously from 2004.
A lot of people struggle balancing the spiritual and the secular. How do you deal with this?
I believe, based on the word of God, that everything I do now more especially is in Him. The book of Acts says in Him we move, live and have our being.
What do you think your life’s purpose is and how does TKZee come into the picture?
I believe my life’s purpose is to make the Lord Jesus known. TKZee is the platform that gives me more influence to do so.
Now that we know what teams are in the running, who are you getting behind for the FIFA world cup?
Of course Bafana Bafana, then Brazil. But I’m also watching England very closely.
What are your predictions for Bafana Bafana?
Prepare to be really, really shocked. Watch this space.
What’s good with Benny Mccarthy? Are you in touch still?
I believe Benny will rise to the occasion as he brings a certain level of experience to the team. We’ve bumped into each other occasionally when he’s in SA and he’s keen to do a Shibobo 2.
