Excitement as John Lundun finally hits the right notes
Music producer John Lundun is gradually counting the days of being known as the “sound behind the voice” of many hits by carving his own path.
Born Reshoketjwe Marakalala, he has his popular song, Marobalo, to thank for his newfound fame.
The collaboration with singer Morayks has even scored four nods at the 2021 Limpopo Music Awards (Limas), where Winnie Mashaba, Candy Tsa Mandebele, Prince Benza, Makhadzi and more are nominated.
Having worked on projects with singers Berita and Thabsie, Lundun’s big break came in 2016 when he worked as rapper Kwesta’s pianist.
“It finally happened. At first I couldn’t believe it, it’s only sinking in now.
“It’s like a dream come true,” Lundun said excitedly.
“I was home when I first heard the news that I have been nominated.
“My wife was the one who actually told me about my nominations.
“When I found out it was four nominations, I was left in disbelief thinking that ‘gosh, this is a lot’.”
Lundun added that the nod from the Limas means all his hard work is finally paying off.
“I’ve won awards before such as the South African Music Awards [Samas] for co-producing Berita’s album Songs in the Key of Love as well as being involved in the production of Kwetsa’s iconic songs [Spirit], but receiving a direct nod for my own songs instead of other artists mean a lot to me. It
means I’m on the right track.”
Lundun’s interest in music began when he was nine years old after he grew a liking for the keyboard.
“I was playing the keyboard at church. My father was the one who actually taught me how to play the keyboard,” he said.
“After a while, I realised that one can make beats with the keyboard.
“I then started learning how to compose different types of sound.”
After years of honing his keyboard skills and completing his matric, he took the decision to further his knowledge by enrolling at Damelin to study music. Lundun later shifted to the Tshwane University of Technology to study jazz and popular
music. My parents were so against my decision and made it an issue.
“They would tell me that people are becoming doctors, lawyers and I wanted to be a musician… they were so worried,” Lundun recalled.
“But my dad was the one who told me that when he was my age he had this burning desire of wanting to become a musician, so he gave me his blessing to go study music.”
With Marobalo nominated in categories Best Duo Collaboration Group, Best Afro-Pop, Best Sepedi and Song of the Year at the Limas, Lundun hopes that people will gravitate towards his Afro-Pop sound infused with worship music.