Car guard to award winner
TRESOR: FROM CAR GUARD TO PLATINUM AWARD-WINNING SONGWRITER AND SINGER Catch the star at the Durban July concert.
If you love music that encompasses African sounds and a bit of jazz, then you will most certainly delight in listening to Tresor’s well-composed offerings. The award-winning artist and producer, whose journey to recognition hasn’t been easy, says “music is life” and he believes it’s the only way he was meant to live. “I knew at a young age that this is what I wanted to do, whether I become rich or stay poor from it; I regard it as a mission.” Despite the challenges and having to survive earning a living working as a car guard by day and a security guard by night while hustling his way on to the local Durban music scene when he first came to South Africa from the Democratic Republic of Congo, he says he has no regrets about his decision to leave home. “It was not easy. New places mean a whole new life and set-up,” he said. “It was the most challenging move I have ever made but, nonetheless, I’m grateful all the time that I made the choice. “I’m happy I followed my dreams and didn’t allow fear to stop me. My move paid off,” he added. Tresor says although it was very difficult to get heard and become part of mainstream music, a lot of people in the industry eventually lent him a helping hand. “I spent seven years in Durban trying to make my music work, working day and night, knocking on doors and pushing,” he said of what was a testing time for him. Among the many people who offered to assist him and actually helped open doors for him were producer Mojalefa Thebe, who gave him an opportunity to write songs for Zahara’s second album, which went platinum, and the legendary musician and producer Robbie Malinga.
Regardless of his remarkable success in the music industry, his ability to produce hit after hit and the numerous awards he has received, Tresor says he still has more to offer and his dream is not yet fully realised.
“This is just the beginning of my path. African music still needs to be considered more globally,” he explained, adding that although South Africa was on the right path, it still had a lot of growing to do.
“Compared to other African countries, South Africa is more organised, though, and offers extra opportunities. The industry here is healthy and moving in the right direction. However, we keep it too local. We need to make it more international.”
The star says he enjoyed working with Hugh Masekela on his song, Congo Women, and the Mahotella Queens on their new album.
“We have the best African music, some of it is old and some of it is new. What is most beautiful is that some of the legends that made the music are still alive. It’s a blessing to take African sound to another level with them.”
The artist, who is part of the line-up at the Glenlivet JazzTown marquee at one of Africa’s biggest social occasions, the Durban July, will perform alongside internationally recognised guitarist Jimmy Dludlu and prolific Afro-soul vocalist Lira.
He said fans can expect a crazy show. “I’m honoured to be part of this line-up and being booked together with such respected artists. It will definitely be a fun show.”
The Mount Everest hit-maker said music had changed his life in more ways than one. “It has changed how I view life. Music has given me a platform to express my art and see the world at the same time. It has helped me to provide for my family and inspire the youth. Through it I have a platform to shape a new sound of African music.”