Dutywa pair a singing success
Soul Kulture up for four Metro awards
TWO young Dutywa men who used to perform at a taxi rank in Khayelitsha are up for four Metro FM Music Awards.
The pair, Afeletse Manamathela, 20 and Msekeli Velaphi, 21, known as Soul Kulture, who moved from the dusty streets of Dutywa to perform alongside big names such as Hugh Masekela, may now walk away with one of the country’s most prized entertainment music accolades.
Soul Kulture has been nominated for the best African pop album, best group, best production album and best new artist.
The pair met while staying in Dutywa and have been working together since.
Manamathela said he met Velaphi in his village in Dutywa while the latter was playing a guitar. “I liked it – we jammed together and have been doing music ever since,” he said.
They moved to Cape Town in late 2013 to live with their mothers and lady luck was on their side.
The pair were discovered in December 2015 by Lionel Jamela while hustling on the streets of Khayelitsha in Cape Town.
Since then, they have recorded their debut album titled, Ngeliny’ilanga under the Open Mic Productions label.
Speaking with the Daily Dispatch yesterday, Manamathela said they decided to perform in the streets to help their families financially. OTHER Eastern Cape artists nominated for the 16th Metro FM Music Awards are:
Amanda Black – best pop album, best female album, best new artist, best R&B single and song of the year for
Mobi Dixon – best dance album, best male album;
Jaziel Brothers – best group;
Thandiswa – best urban jazz urban;
Zonke – best R&B single;
Vusi Nova – best pop album. “We just wanted to make money to help at home. At home it was only my older brother who was working and I wanted to do something as well,” he said.
The two quickly made a name for themselves on the streets.
“We had dreams of making it big one day but we never thought it would happen so soon.
“Like any artist, we saw ourselves on big stages but at the time that seemed like a far-fetched dream,” Manamathela said.
While they did not expect any nominations for the Metro FM Music Awards, Manamathela said they would not mind winning the best group award.
In that category, they have been nominated alongside Jaziel Brothers, The Soil, Durban’s Finest and Encore.
“I remember on the day of the nominations, we performed at the event and our manager asked us about our expectations and we didn’t have any.
“Performing at the event was more than enough for us. We got to perform in front of people that we grew up looking up to. Being nominated was a bonus to us,” he said.
Manamathela said their families have been supporting them since their street performing days.
Unfortunately, Manamathela’s mother died in June last year after they recorded their debut album.
“She got to listen to some of the songs but it [her death] was before the release. My brother and his wife have been supportive and encourage us to dream big. Everyone is happy for us,” he said.
They may be new in the industry but they plan on working with some of the industry’s big names.
“We would love to work with guys such as Ringo, Kwesta and Shekinah to mention a few.
“We don’t want to box ourselves – we love all genres and would be honoured to work with such artists,” Manamathela said.
To vote for Soul Kulture, dial *120*1512# and follow the instructions.
The 16th Metro FM Music Awards will take place at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Convention Centre in Durban on February 25. —