Quality Comes With Sumythng Black
By Quibell Ramantswana , 23 Nov 2009
Sumthyng BlackI begin to wonder what the future holds for South Africa; it seems like most people are ditching their respective careers for music. I wouldn’t be startled if this alteration is included in the next government agenda.
The nation has lost qualified Chartered Accountants, Plumbers, Priests, Journalists, School Teachers and Doctors. They appear to be lost after following the same path which leads to the music department: House DJ-Producers!
Steven Makongela - a qualified Chemical Engineer, is no different, he is just like the rest of them - for Music sake!
Born in Giyani, Limpopo, Makongela studied in Ireland and Cape Town;whilst studying in Ireland, he was doing what most South Africans do abroad -
“Pushing my stuff/talent” as they say. As a local House DJ abroad, he was also putting his production skills into perfection before he left the country.
“Gratitude to Southern African djs and ‘Mzansi Show’ (Future Radio) for pushing South African music in the UK. It wouldn’t have happened without their support.”
Somehow, for the past nine years, he has managed to mix education with his music talent successfully. Subsequently, he has gone public to introduce himself as a talented musician. He is now registered as ‘Sumthyn Black’ in music society.
He might be regarded as an up-and-coming artist in South Africa due to his lack of album release, but Sumthyn Black is adamant that the time is right to spread his wings:”Its only now that I have decided that my sound has matured to a level where I can take it to the people”
His debut album - My Way Of House - featuring the hit single ‘Wena’ [You], with Ntsiki Mazwai on vocals, got the locals pointing fingers at one another on the dance floors. Some of the artists featured in the album are: Andy Magazz, Gunman and Pila Mazibuko.
South African artists are slowly challenging the international scene:Mzee Mahuwelele, Black Coffee and DJ Mujava are some of the names who managed to switch the green light to the music world globally. Latterly, the country has celebrated another native’s successful move to international stardom.
Sumthyng Black, 22nd Production artist, has made the country proud by clinching a contract deal from a German recording company - Out Here Records.
Gratitude to Southern African djs and ‘Mzansi Show’ (Future Radio) for pushing South African music in the UK. It wouldn’t have happened without their support. Black confirms this: ” What happens is that couple of guys have my track - ‘Wena’ - in the UK. They heard it from there; and they saw the video on You Tube - that’s how the deal came in.”
Given the success of his debut album, Black has attracted many established musicians around the country for future collaboration. This is the evidence that they are not just mesmerized by his present album - “they like my sound and the quality that comes with it!”
Although most of us agree that the South African music standard is at itsbest, in spite of that, Black is rather concerned claiming that some producers are not putting more effort into production.
“It’s one of the highest problem in South Africa. Guys get the cheapestFruity Loops [Music Software] program and do couple of tracks within a week or so and send it to the market”*
That must be disappointing for the musicians who are working extremely hard to live up to the public expectation. Black adds:”You don’t comprise the quality because you are now a well known artist,you need to stick to the quality of music”
Something needs to be done to make sure the public get what they deserve? “Don’t give consumers half-cut songs; don’t take consumers for granted because you want to make a quick buck.”
And the solution is? Like Black says, “We need to concentrate more on our production.”
DJ Sumthyn Black - Wena feat. Ntsiki Mazwai
- Sumthyng Black’s album is out NOW!
