Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Now here’s a class reunion that could rock out
TWO FORMER classmates, Howie Combrink and Kunda Watts Mtonga, are gearing up to take the music scene by storm this year.
The pair – who were classmates at Krugersdorp High School and remain good friends – may have chosen different music genres to pursue, but both share the same dream of making a name for themselves on the country’s music scene.
And they believe that this will be their year.
Combrink, the drummer of hit band Watershed, recently kicked off his solo music career with the launch of his debut album Eat It While It’s Hot last month. Mtonga, a hip hop artist better known by his stage name Dilaman Watts, has had his single Going Hard aired on Channel O for the first time, and is set to release his debut album this year.
The former classmates are also keen on a reunion, and hope to collaborate in the future should the opportunity arise.
Their love of music began for both in high school, with Combrink learning a number of instruments including drums and guitar, while Mtonga discovered his love for rapping.
“I started practising when I was 8, but started to take it very seriously when I was about 13. That’s when the real practice began,” said Combrink.
Although he was active on the drums and guitar during his high school years, his main focus had been on getting his matric.
Mtonga on the other hand, became inspired by some of his school mates after watching them rap.
“There were a few guys who use to rap at school, and each time I watched them, I was amazed at their rapping skills,” he said.
He asked them to teach him, and the rest is history.
“I guess they realised how enthusiastic I was about learning, and that’s when the real journey began.”
Once the pair matriculated, they went their separate ways, with Combrink playing for a number of well-known bands before eventually landing up at multi- platinum band Watershed, for whom he still drums.
Mtonga spent a few years trying to establish himself as a hip hop artist in South Africa by gigging around the country.
Now that Combrink has embarked on a solo career, and Mtonga has got a foot in the music industry, the two are hoping to cross paths again.
“I’m always keen for collabs, so yeah, why not?” said Combrink.
“If our styles work together then it’s worth a shot. If not, we can still try make it happen. Music has no limits when it comes to creativity.”
Mtonga is just as keen to team up with his former classmate. “I would absolutely love to team up with Howie.
“I have gone to see him live and he is fantastic.
“Just imagine the crazy sounds that we could create.”