Oskido keeps the music playing

LEGENDS LIVE: CREATING A PLATFORM

During lockdown he released an EP titled Keep the Faith, which is exactly what he did.

Music legend, DJ, producer and record label owner Oskido is still on his quest of hit-making and giving legends their dues while they are still alive.

From his TV music show on MTV Base called Legends Live, he gives artists such as Glen Lewis, DJ Fresh, Shimza and DJ Maphorisa a platform on which to perform in virtual lockdown parties.

Many artists in the harder lockdowns could not perform, so Oskido created a platform for them which audiences could enjoy in the comfort of their homes.

Keeping this momentum into 2021, he has released an EP titled Keep the Faith.

“I did it during the lockdown with the title single featuring Xoli M. They are Afrobeat tracks. It also pays tribute to ‘grootman’, our tribute to everyone in the music industry.”

He said his latest single – with possibly the biggest artist coming out of 2020, Focalistic – called Unemali, was inspired by the era of the 1950s in Sophiatown.

“I always thought the Sophiatown sound was huge. It wasn’t really explored a lot.

“During that time our elders were not recording as much and the only people who managed to get recordings were artists like Mam Miriam Makeba.

“I have always been a fan of that music so to keep it fresh I brought in Focalistic because I wanted young people to understand that we have our own sound which they can adapt to, so we can celebrate that type of music.”

After Focalistic heard the song, he quickly wanted to be on.

“It also features vocalist Nokwazi Dlams and the surprise vocals of actress Pearl Thusi.

Oskido explains that many people were surprised he featured Pearl on the track.

“People were surprised that Pearl sings and, yes, she really can sing. I have always brought young people over the years into my music.”

Oskido says his record label Kalawa Jazmee Records has signed five Idols SA contestants and they hope to get their music out there, but the pandemic is halting some of their plans.

One of the artists is season 16 winner Zama Khumalo.

The record label was announced in October 2020 as the new music label signing after Idols parted ways with Gallo Record Company after three years.