Dr Duda’s Squabble With The Missus

By Quibell Ramantswana , 25 Sep 2009

There is nothing so exasperating for a parent than to hear their kids continually making noise around the house! This was an enormous problem between Dr Duda and his parents, but, what they failed to realise was that he was crying for attention, and trying to tell them something. “Listen to my talent! Music is my talent! I’ve got talent!”

Like any other church goer, who comes from a religious background, DJ Dr Duda had to stick to the rules. He attended church on a regular basis, and got involved with the church band, playing keyboards, and known by his real name, Sipho Philemon Mphablaza.

At the age of 12 his original interest in gospel music was challenged, when he developed a flair for house music. Subsequently, though, he decided to stay on a disciple of church grooves.

His ultimate goal was never what his teachers and family had in mind. Wearing a tie every day, masses of paperwork, endless hours on the phone talking to customers, and all the various office tasks in the offing, were never his ideal. Music was the only language he understood.

“I thought, let me do something, and quit this music, but the love didn’t end so I had to hang on, Now ke Bubesi (I’m The Lion) because of my patience!”

His school teacher, whom he called Ntate Pat Mahlangu, offered him a subject which was not on the official curriculum instead of educating him about where North, South, West and East are! The subject he added was Fruity Loops software!

“I started learning Fruity Loops and it just changed my life!”says the musical doctor.

After producing and composing songs, around his native province, Mpumalanga, South Africa, it was time for greater things. To make it big he had to submit his demo to the big guys, in the big city, Johannesburg, and that isn’t easy for those who don’t live close to that big city.

“The only place to submit demos was in Jo’burg. I had to drive, take a bus, taxi, goats, dekgomo (cows), you see, and when I got there they’d say “We’re closed. We don’t know you. Who are you?”

That was the moment when South Africa nearly lost the talented musical doctor.

“I thought, let me do something, and quit this music, but the love didn’t end so I had to hang on, Now ke Bubesi (I’m The Lion) because of my patience!”
Submitting his demos to the highly proclaimed DJ Mbuso, who was, at that time, with Soul Candy Records, led to his biggest break. Just when he thought the test had ended for him with Meneer Mahlangu, DJ Mbuso, though impressed with his demo, wanted to give him his final exam!
“He said to me, I’m going to give you a test. Go do one, two, three, and come back. I went there again and submitted my CD, and he said, broer, you’re rocking!” Everything started there.”

Indeed, this was the beginning of the real Dr Duda and his real musicality started to shine. Many will remember him by songs such as “Change The World “, Soul Candy session four with master jam ft RJ Benjamin( Dr Duda remix),“Kasie Kultcha”, produced by Duda on DJ Mandla’s album with the title “Jozi knights”, and the anthem on DJ Fresh’s album “Definition of House Volume 2”, and many more.

“Change the World” (Dr Duda Mix) - Master Jam ft RJ Benjamin

It feels great to be a musician and be in relationship at the same time. Take Bubesi, for example. He just had an argument with the missus and it drove him to make a hit track, 2010 Orchestra!

“Ah, nice one! I was alone, sad and angry. I had a fight with my chick but I thought, no, let me try something with orchestra and peaceful sounds, as you can hear on the back round. That orchestra is so peaceful and I thought “Let me call this song 2010 Orchestra.” The chaos on the dance floor is going to brush all my troubles away!”

It is undeniable that Durban Sound rocks. At least, that’s what most of us agree on, but, according to Dr Duda, it is only a few months before Mpumalanga takes over the South African music scene.
“I’m expecting this in 2010. The vibe probably started late, but from next year I’m gonna rock these guys! That is a promise! I’m going to show these guys that we really rock, boss!”
For those who might be interested to know a little more about Dr Duda, he describes himself as fat, shy, A DJ, producer of South African music, and the secret behind his magic touch is his beats!

• Dr Duda’s album will be released in February of next year.

Listen to the interview on the pod cast.