Unique music style makes an impact
If you haven’t heard the name Muzi Mazibuko, aka ‘Muzi’, or listened to any of his songs, chances are you are missing out on one of South Africa’s most promising, up-and-coming electronic music producers.
Aside from the fact that the Ngwelezana-born 27-year-old has his own record label ‘WE.THE.BUNDU,’ and has entered into a collective partnership with renowned music company BMG Chrysalis after the release of his single ‘Nizogcwala’ in 2014, he has also been picked up on the radar of Diplo, Skrillex, Prodigy and Utah Saints – legends in the electronic dance music scene.
Tomorrow (Friday) marks the release of Muzi’s second album, Afrovision.
Released on his own label via !K7 and Sony Music Africa, Afrovision follows on his debut album Boom Shaka released in 2016.
The album features 13 tracks with a Zulu influence not heard before.
He has found a way to combine house, deep house, hip hop, maskandi, kwaito and gqom into an exquisite electronic symphony.
‘I returned from Europe early last year and began working on this album.
‘It took me just over a year to wrap it up and being back in SA helped me formulate the sound and feel of the album.
‘The inspiration you get in SA is different.
If I’m back home in Empangeni or Ngwelezana my music takes on a more tribal and maskandi twist, whereas if I’m in Durban or Johannesburg it has more of that urban feel to it,’ Muzi says.
His creative and unique music is putting Zululand on the music map, to the extent that lead vocalist for the bands The Gorillaz and Blur – Damon Albarn – has spoken about his dedication to the art.
‘I really respect him,’ Albarn was quoted as saying on the release of Muzi’s new album.
Even SA’s biggest DJ and producer, Black Coffee, jumped on the bandwagon and tweeted Muzi, saying: ‘Super excited about this project @muziou – SA music to the world.’
However, the humble Thanduyise High School graduate says he hasn’t let this early fame get to him.
‘It’s crazy, but at the same time I’m just a guy from Ngwelezana.
‘It’s important for me to not disconnect myself from home and the people I grew up with.
‘I’m glad to see that South Africans are starting to appreciate my sound. They love it in Europe because it is unique and not something they are used to.
‘I remember playing a show in Berlin and the venue could accommodate 400 people, but about 1 000 people came through for the gig.’
Muzi says he draws inspiration from South Africa’s legends.
I’m more inspired by the likes of Hugh Masekela and Miriam Makeba – they had a common goal in terms of their music. It would have a message, but at the same time made you dance.’