Music That Knows You Better

donald
Donald Moatse

Everyone is talking about different music software these days – unlike the SouthAfrican soul star, Donald Moatshe, everything he does in his music career is LIVE:

He sings live; he performs live; he records live and his music is live – how amazing!

You might have heard that the ‘Will Of Steel Productions” boss, DJ Cleo, has gone Afro-Pop. Actually, he has signed Afro-pop artist, Donald Moatshe, to his record label.

Donald, born in Rustenburg, South Africa, started his career by singing hymns at church just like most Soul-singers. His singing impressed the Choir teacher, his mom, who eventually became the lady behind his musical success.

Whilst growing up, playing football ‘Ko Kasi’ [In Township], Donald was hoping to make it in the World cup, next year? Perhaps! Unfortunately his football skills couldn’t compete with his singing talent – ultimately his dream was shattered by his soulful vocals!

Singing became the priority, followed by hassling – he has done all the necessary hassling-qualifications. In his hassling days, people became more aware of his talent, and able to recognize him working as a backing vocalist with the great musicians around South Africa, namely: Selaelo Selota, Kwela Tebza, Malaika and Zonke. It was just a matter of time before someone got rid of Moatshe’s backing vocalist job and put his talent on the front line.

“We recorded the album live, with the live band, that’s what we want people to recognize Donald’s singing talent for ”

Luckily, DJ Cleo was watching his moves: “DJ Cleo saw me doing backing for Zonke, so he was interested in giving me a chance.”

And Cleo did exactly that! It didn’t take long before they hit the studio. When people heard about Cleo’s Afro-pop project, some people disapproved by
saying: “No Ways!” This became more interesting to the music listeners, who eagerly awaited to hear what Cleo had to offer the genre he is not known for. Finally, Donald’s debut album “Just Donald” was released in June this year.

“It’s been an amazing experience because DJ Cleo is a big brand here in South Africa, if not one of the best producers.”

Having seen DJ Cleo’s producing best Kwaito and House beats, for him to produce an Afro-Soul album might have understandably upset some of DJ Cleo’s music zealots fearing that he would take his beats elsewhere.

Bathong [People] DJ Cleo is talented! It’s fair to say his mission could be possible after all! And he proved that with Donald’s album, as Donald revealed: “We wanted to showcase the talent that DJ Cleo has as a producer… He is not just a house producer; he doesn’t makes beats; he makes music!”
The self proclaimed Afro-Soul-Contemporary-Jazz singer, Moatshe, has done tremendously well in South Africa with the first two singles – Know You Better and Mlahla Phansi – both guaranteed to grab your attention.

After listening to the album myself I have a few words of approval: I was bowled over by the quality and the brilliant vocals of Donald! I wasn’t surprised when Donald said the album has been entered for the SAMA’s (South African Music Awards) – in the ‘Best Adult Contemporary Album’ category- just what he needs to build up his brand:

“You know what, the SAMAs? That’s my dream; I dreamt about that moment for quite a while now” It might be an incredible experience for any up-and-coming artist, but working with a big brand such as Cleo comes with its challenges.”You could say it’s a bit of a pressure because he is not the man that fails; he is very successful you don’t wanna go there and make him fail; You have to definitely bring out the best of yourself”

Back to the music software: The good thing about Donald is that he won’t be seen shopping for the most talk about music-software, Fruity Loops, as all the beats used in his album were LIVE and visible to the public, as he says: “We recorded the album live, with the live band, that’s what we want people to recognize Donald’s singing talent for ”

Donald will feature on ‘Rythm City’ early January, next year.

  • The album is out NOW in the local South African music shops!
  • Listen to the Mzansi Show and some of Donald’s Music on the mzansi show website
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