Rabs back in music with sights on broadening reach

INSPIRED to uplift his rural village in Venda and motivate young aspiring DJs, 34-year-old music producer Rabs Vhafuwi did not have it in him to quit the music game.

Word of him wanting to retire from the game hit social media and fans quickly rushed in to talk him out of it. Now, back on the grind, the passionate producer and winner of Lima 2017 Best Dance Single, Lets go to China, has released yet another smashing hit album, 9 Provinces.

The 15- track album has nine tracks specific to each province and nine collaboration songs with fellow musos from each province. “I have started on my tour to promote the album with the last leg scheduled for the end of November. The response in Cape Town was great so there is a possibility of having a return show,” he said

After Vhafuwi, graduated from the Vaal University, he had a successful career in corporate South Africa, but after realising his passion was in music, he quit his job and focused his energies on making a success of his dream.

“My dad had already passed away so it was just my mom. She was shocked when I wanted to quit my corporate job, I was good at it and was making good money. My mother was sceptical of how I would make a living with music because it is not something people in the rural areas of Venda know much about,” he explained.

After much debate with himself and wanting to prove to his mother and three older brothers wrong, Vhafuwi took the leap of faith.

His hit song,

Blessings was Count your

recorded in Khayelitsha.

“I was living in Cape Town at the time and it only made sense to shoot the video there, the song talks about life in the hood, it depicts just about every aspect of it and the scene just makes the song that much more special,” he said.

Vhafuwi, who was raised by his mother after his father passed away, and is the last of four boys, said growing up he had always thought he would be a doctor or a lawyer. Since starting his production career, Vhafuwi has produced music for music greats such as DJ Sbu and Zahara. He has also worked with Busiswa and Simphiwe Dana, to name a few. Now, the record label owner and music distributor wants to spread his wings and broaden his base overseas and to other African countries. “I also want to go back home to Venda try and open doors for the many talented

young people.”