Kwaito and Its Legends Should be Celebrated
By Quibell Ramantswana , 06 Apr 2010 | (7) Comments
TKZee: Doing Their Bit To Keep kwaito at The TopOne factor that helps our world sustain its beauty and diversity is that everywhere you go people seem to have something to converse about continuously, although they do vary – some prefer to talk about the future, whereas, some prefer to talk about history.
There is a great deal of history world-wide that ceaselessly fascinates people whenever they talk or hear about it, even music history. Take South Africa for instance – when Kwaito music was made known to the public where were you? What an electrifying and memorable moment that was!
It was back in the Nineties – there was a breath of fresh air, a sense of relief, and most people were in a happily-vibey mood! On the other hand – the world diverted its attention to another historical moment - the release of Nelson Mandela from jail; this was just a cherry on the cake to a vast number of South Africans.
Soon after the birth of the Kwaito genre, the poor “Bubblegum” genre passed on. Tributes were paid to the sudden death of Bubblegum music. Understandably, there were some mixed feelings from the old genre loyalists. Fingers were pointed to Bubblegum legends, such as, Rebecca Malope, The Soul Brothers, Yvonne Chaka Chaka and Brenda Fassie amongst others for not campaigning enough to save their poor old genre, Bubblegum.
But Kwaito music was the only consolation to the local Townships.
“…TDK audio empty cassettes became best sellers in the country…”
Local public transport, especially the Kombi taxis (Mini bus) - became more of a disco club that played Kwaito as a public-transport-genre. Passengers loved this! The pressure was inevitably extreme to taxi drivers to provide a service that included having some latest Kwaito hits, for the reason that driving a taxi without Kwaito sound was like running a club without music! It’s not worth the hassle!
And talking about the passengers - you could hardly focus on the journey; the power of the Kwaito sound was massive in such a way that you couldn’t help but listen-and make some moves whilst seated, to fulfil the bill…unless you had an ear infection.
Times were hard for some, so buying original CDs was always a hurdle; TDK audio empty cassettes became best sellers in the country, with people recording latest Kwaito hits live from the radio. Not only that, travelling to the local town centre was a once a month journey, especially to some of us who lived in the rural areas. You couldn’t be blamed for repeatedly recording songs with a used cassette, until it or got stuck or lost one or two screws!
Kwaito beats were like fashion and lifestyle - you’d even write a letter to your Dad/uncle, who was working somewhere in Johannesburg, SA to buy you ‘TDK Audio Cassette’ as present, for all your hard work making it to the next grade at school…whereas instead, you should have been reminding him about the sizes of Christmas clothes or your school uniform.
And the pressure was so intense on the local youth in the township. Considerable numbers of young lads constantly wanted to be seen togged up in Converse All Star, Superga or Dickies clothes/shoes, and they had to be able to dance some new moves that came with Kwaito music - this would massively increase your chances of getting a date with that local dream girl you had been chasing for months….Come Saturdays you’d be glued to your local radio station listening to the Top-20, and making sure that your wireless radio didn’t lose the signal or the battery runs out!
Here are the some of the interesting names you would anticipate on the radio line up: Arthur Mafokate, Mdu Masilela, Brothers of Peace, TKzee, Alaska, Mashamplani, Trompies, Boom Shaka, Thebe, Chiskop, Skeem and the late Mawillies amongst others…undoubtedly, you wouldn’t want to miss this!
This was LIFE and KWAITO music in the Nineties; as everyone says: “Those were the DAYS!”
Since Kwaito music took over from “Bubblegum” music, it’s unbelievable to see how enormously the music scene has changed in South Africa. So much talent and genres have been discovered since Kwaito music was exposed; it has opened the doors for many, and the entertainment industry has grown to become one of the best in African continent. Indeed South Africa is musically proud today because of the journey that started with Kwaito music.
Some people claim to have taken it to Durban, with a twist, I must say… It’s just a matter of time before every province, in South Africa, claims to have its own Kwaito sound. But wherever it goes, it’s still Kwaito music!
Sadly, we have lost some of the greatest Kwaito musicians in South Africa, but with the greatest and unforgettable memories they gave us - we certainly do not want to lose them all before we celebrate them; they helped change South African music scene forever, and for that, we owe them celebration. OK, I’m not saying: “They should be individually knighted!” It just wouldn’t sound right, would it: Sir Oskido, Sir Arthur, Sir Mdu….No! Certainly NOT!
To celebrate Kwaito legends single-handedly will take years, and some of them will even pass on before we honour the impact they’ve made on our uniquely South African genre, Kwaito music. But, getting all of them and celebrating them, sharing their lives about the greatest memories of their Kwaito lives would be such a great achievement for Kwaito history.
This is the history that will never die and is very close to our hearts.
Looking back, to all these beautiful memories, and the contribution that Kwaito has made to South African music - don’t you think this genre deserve a celebration? What are your best memories about Kwaito music and its lifestyle?
One has to proudly say, KWAITO MUSIC AND ITS LEGENDS - Dankie (thank you) Bafowethu!
Nice article, but did bubblegum really die? Or did it evolve and get taken over by newer, fresher artists? My impression is the ‘bubblegum’ sound became split down the middle to become kwaito on the one hand, & what in SA we call afro pop on the other. Take the classic ‘Mandulo’ track from Mafikizolo’s very 2nd album. Or Bongo Maffin’s ‘Makeba’. Afro pop bubblegum at its evolved best. The only thing bubblegum artists didnt do was stand up & defend or evolve their music, with few exceptions like Chicco. Kinda like whats happening to hiphop worldwide today, where the new younger stars (soulja boy, crunkers) have re-invented the genre much to the ire of old school cats like Guru, KRS1, etc. That said, yeh, kwaito legends ought to be celebrated, &that therefore cant happen without considering the bbgum stars that made it thru such as Kamazu, Brenda, Dalom kids, etc.
I second Festus PF, as time goes by music does evolve to get better just like anything else. The interesting thing becomes who is evolving the music?As from kwaito to house, most of the kwaito producer have slowly evolved their music towards house, e.g Oskido, Christos, Mafokate, Cleo … to but name a few.
But is evolving into something new the death of the old?I think not a good example being when larva turn into pupa, then into the beutiful butterfly. Not many people know or appreciate the intermediate stages before the butterfly is produces but those who do know should spread the word, appreciate and acknowledge the importance of the not so beutiful larva which evolves into the butterfly.
I have said this before that we have to honour people while they still alive and stopl praise them where there are nolonger with us. many people has turn to say kwaito has died and I said until they take Mdu,Oskido,Arther and Spikiri in the same studio ask them what do they think about the state of Kwaito music only them can unswer that about kwaito. for me its kwaito for life no matter what people sasy.
kwaito is one of our indigenious music and we must be happy or feel proud of it.. i agree with u Dj manzi…feel it it is here
I dont even understand why the is such debate about one of s.a.most succesfull style of music,ofcause legends of kwaito must be celebrated,this is the style that changed the lives of many after the struggle they made us dance the problems of apartheid away,and 2 those who say kwaito is dead dream on is so alive,as we speak mlilo by big nuz is the biggest song in s.a.and by the way is a kwaito song,let us be proud of what is ours and celebrate our heroes
Kwaito is the most celabrated genre in SA. its one genre that have manage to break the racial stigma as far as music is concerned, take Nkalakatha by Mandoza as a perfect example, Rugby stadiums were pumping the sound of Mandoza during the games, and this showed that kwaito unified the country. i remember growing up in rural Limpopo, all i cld hear was the sound of Mandoza, Arthur, Chiskop, Mdu and the list goes on. these cats were not only topping the charts week in and week out on radio but they were also topping the sales. Kwaito continued to live after the 200 millenium with guys like Zola emerging and dropping hits after hits.to show that kwaito is still one of the biggest genres is SA every time the kwaito category is announced in the SAMAS we all cant wait to hear who will walk waway with the most prestigious title. right now big nuz is making everyone dance, irrespective of where you are in SA, they have also taken it cross borders. these indeed shows that kwaito is still alive and it sholud be celebrated everyday.
Personally I think kwaito legends are killing this South African identity. Kwaito is what we should identify with as South Africans. Its our own style. Its original. Why kill it for something thats not our own. Look, Jay-Z in the US is still doing it. Being old doesnt mean you should let what you started go down the drain. The likes of Mdu and Arthur have killed the sound as well. They follow whatever the new generation is coming up with. They forget the fact that their used to be fans still identify with them, so we would still buy their music. Produce for the young ones, but give them an idea of what the sound and dances is all about. I also think we need a musical for our kwaito and pantsula dance. It should be produced by a professional. Once we take that old sound and pantsula dance, of course mix with today’ style, the world would love to hear more. Kwaito is about the way you feel inside. the sound makes you move. DJ Cleo still has that addictive sound, unfortunately they want to brand it house. Lets go back to the roots. Lets have a forum and renew the vows with our music. Thats what South Africa is.