Sowetan

Merlon out to conquer the globe

- Mandla Motau Kuse, Reflection­s Koze Sonini, Idols Original Copy, Kuse. Original Copy Ubugingqig­ingqi Inhlonipho/Respect You Are Here, Yehla Moya Ongcwele Bouncing Sax Koze

DJ MERLON’S crafty efforts in Koze Kuse have resulted in great things for him beyond South Africa’s borders, and will see him conquering the internatio­nal market.

The sizzling hot and chart-topping track, with vocals from Mondli Ngcobo, has led to the star, whose real name is Sibusiso Mhlongo, signing with London’s DM.Recordings.

This will see him release his

EP, featuring Black Coffee and Khaya Mthethwa, in Europe by the end of August.

And he has been appointed as a Durban University of Technology ambassador. Although

now the theme track to Shield’s latest advert, has never been officially released in other markets, its presence on iTunes has seen it spread like wildfire.

It has generated interest in the artist, who has appeared on the decks in London, Ireland, Greece and picked up nomination­s at the Metro FM and Sama awards.

Merlon, who used to manage Zakes Bantwini’s Mayonie Records, says this has led people to search for his previous work.

The Durban DJ/producer, who is now riding the charts with his second single featuring Metro FM and judge Unathi Msengana, from his latest album says the interest from internatio­nal markets is overwhelmi­ng.

“I had calls from a lot of people overseas, and this has resulted in a deal to release the EP this year.

The EP will include different remixes by respected house music names including D-Malice and Djeff Afrozila.

“With the release overseas, this will surely open more doors for me, and see me securing more internatio­nal dates.”

He says he has grown since

“Even when you go to my social media page my followers have grown dramatical­ly, to a point where when I drop a new track, people will be commenting from Europe, the US, all over Africa, and basically from all over the world.

“I have also gone back to where I started, and have my own company doing events as well.”

This includes the forthcomin­g Durban Music Carnival. He also plans to repackage

which includes the chart-topping first single

featuring Ngcobo, which made the highest jump by a local artist on the SA ranking chart during the festive season, and with Ladysmith Black Mambazo.

The iTunes release of the album features three extra tracks: with Bucie on gospel star Sfiso Ncwane

and with Heavy K. on

 ?? PHOTO: SUPPLIED ?? THE BRAND: DJ Merlon is making his mark abroad GUEST STAR: Unathi Msengana features in Merlon’s single
PHOTO: SUPPLIED THE BRAND: DJ Merlon is making his mark abroad GUEST STAR: Unathi Msengana features in Merlon’s single

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