TALK of family with strong musical bond.
Here we’re referring to a mother (the late) as the lead singer, father as the producer and an uncle as a keyboardist- that’s the story of Sanele “Shibas” Mthethwa from Jabulani, Soweto.
“Shibas” as celebrated by peers in his community is the brains behind an EP ‘Patience’ released recently and can be accessed on social platforms- in honour of his late mother Patience.
A superlative that ‘an apple does not fall far from its tree’ in this case is not doing any justice because for “Shibas”, he’s family is the reason behind for having grown an ear for music, as a result of a family band Motherland.
His uncle taught him and his elder brother how to play keyboards and joined the band at the age of seven.
It is said when the ‘bug has bitten, there’s no turning back’ as he began his DJ career from the age of 10 in 2003, whilst a learner at both Phumzile Primary School and Ekuphumeleleni Higher Primary, respectively.
A self-taught music producer and recording engineer of 14 years’ experience from 2009, producing and recording a variety of music from House, Hip-Hop, Afro-pop, Afro soul, Amapiano, including sampling music from his mother catalogue.
In 2012 he produced several tracks for 2llyndo, a duo from Jabulani, and released a single “The One” featuring a contestant from Idols Mpho Mahlafunya (Cruza). It did not do well in terms of reception from the public, but they soldiered on.
This was aided by attending a course at Damelin College to master his musical skills, quipped the (29).
His latest offering EP ‘Patience’ is a “dedication to my late mother Patience who passed away last year in June”, says “Shibas”, who looks-up to another late legend Lucky Dube, for he “continues to inspire me even when he’s belly up, he’s legacy lives in me”.
He has thus far shared stage with the likes of DJ Kent, 2llyndo, Josi Chave, China, Mgedeza, Claude, Dimplez, Jaws, Choice, BigSky, Bmoe, the late DJ Sumbody, DJ Waxxy, DJ Stokie, DJ Stoks, DJ Njeli, DJ Jaivane, MFR Souls, Mphow 69, Mkeyz, Big Zulu, the late Killer Kau, Sculptured Music, Mr KG and Ryno Bar.
To show his mettle he collaborated with Bongani “Sessionist” Mazibuko to form Just Jam and as a result on June 10, a debut single ‘Andiswa’ was a hit on Metro FM “unsigned with Oskido I believe”.
The duo are young, talented and fearless in that their efforts were rewarded few weeks ago when ‘Imali’ their next single was aired at the Standard Bank live studio show which was streaming on all socials.
For “Shibas” he’s popularity continues to grow and bookings are streaming in, thanks to record label Prez Music, a recording company that handles distribution and publishing, that works with creative talent from Soweto.
The Lavela High School in Jabulani, alumni, says the likes of celebrated producer Da Capo are some of the figures that ‘draws and ignite passion for music out of me’.
Lets’ continue to commemorate and celebrate Youth in our country!
Top Image (Fearless talent that is Sanele “Shibas” Mthethwa).
