Shwi Nomtekhala Maskandi Music}

Submitted by: Ntando Thusi

They first made headlines nationwide when their 2004 release, Wangisiza Baba blew the nation away, with sales exceeding half a million copies. To this day, sales for this album continue to escalate. Then came the release of Angimazi uBaba (2006) which is fast reaching quadruple platinum status. Both of these received SAMA as well as SATMA awards for Best Selling Album for two consecutive years. Angimazi uBaba also won them a SAMA for Best Maskandi Album. In October 2006 they became the first ever Maskandi group to release a live DVD, which was recorded at their home at the Buyafuthi Hostel in Thokoza. The DVD has done equally well.

Yet from their humble beginnings, no one could have predicted that they would someday take the music industry by storm and succeed in taking Maskandi music to new heights. Both from the KZN homelands, the two impeccable voices behind Shwi no Mthekhala began their musical career singing for the isicathamiya group, Hlanganani, who they are still members of. Shwi, although he sang tenor, was noted for his flair with the guitar. Mtekhala, on the other hand, was prominent for his energetic performance and good vocals. Due to this, the two collaborated to form the maskandi outfit, Shwi no Mtekhala.

However, it was their 2005 release, Wangisiza Baba that took music lovers by storm. This twelve-track album has exciting songs that fully explore a unique blend of traditional Zulu rhythms. They have already made history by selling a record breaking 500 000 copies! This earned them a place in the history books by making them the first Maskandi group to ever win the Best Selling Album award at the SAMAs. This album was a major breakthrough, not only for the group, but for maskandi music as a whole.

Shwi no Mtekhala has managed to break barriers that other maskandi artists have never been able to break before. Their music can be heard blaring on radios in all towns and cities in South Africa. Theres no doubt that they have attracted a good following from all walks of life.

It is a great achievement for them to have succeeded in once again popularizing this traditional music, as it has had to fight to keep its place in South Africa, amidst the variety of diverse musical genres in our country.

Their music has enjoyed extensive airplay on national, regional and community stations and they have dominated the media. They have broken into new markets, leading the way for other Maskandi artists to have a platform with young and old, regardless of cultural background.

Their style of music fits well into the Maskandi mould and is accompanied by traditional dancing. Shwi no Mtekhala have just released their brand new album titled Kukhulu Engakubona. This hot new album maintains the standard we have come to expect from the group and is just in time for the Christmas rush. With 11 hot new tracks, Christmas just wouldnt be the same without it!

the’ve made us proud as a country of south africa..

About the Author: to find more about maskandi music go to

maskandi.co.za

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isnare.com

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