Month: May 2021

Industry Insiders: Top music executives in Eswatini

Posted on by Feejo

As an avid beatmaker and music producer I often engage in e-digging; which basically involves surfing the net in search for musical ideas and concepts mostly from old 1900s music releases. I was on one of my endless quests for samples and drumkits online at an internet cafe in Mbabane when I met Mfundvo “Mouz”, little did I know that this humble but driven gentleman would have such an immense influence on my relatively new career as I try to maneuver through the music industry.

Overtime, he has gone from an industry friend to mentor as he frequently offers advice and suggestions on where and how to improve and go about certain business aspects of the music industry. He recently forwarded me a book on artist management by Paul Allen called Artist Management for the Music Business. This book is definitely an interesting read, and highly recommended for anyone seeking a career in music.

A few chapters into the book, I felt the urge to shine a light on some of the most successful music industry executives and managers we have in the Kingdom of Eswatini. As a growing industry, supporters and fans of the music may become oblivious to the pivotal role played by executives behind the scenes in making the artists and events that we have come to know and love so much. This is a list in no particular order of some of the finest music executives in Eswatini, based on past and present achievements.

Sakhile Nkambule

As an Eswatini Hip-Hop blog it is only fair that the first executive we mention is Hipnotik Festival and SwaziJive Entertainment founder. SwaziJive as a stable continues to launch the careers of a number of local musicians. On its list of successful career development are past and present artists such as Smokey, Lo Sounds and Adrienne Foo who has managed to break into the rigorous South African music industry having worked with infamous producers such as Lunatik and DJ Maphorisa.

To quote the movie Billionaire Boys Club “The difference between a player and a non player is an address”, Sakhile Nkambule was the first music executive to lease offices housing a fully equipped studio in the capital city of the Kingdom. At a time when Hip-Hop music was considered an unprofitable genre in Africa, SwaziJive was already successfully renting and running offices in Mbabane. An endeavor that seems to have been bankrolled by the highly successful Hipnotik Festival, because since the cancellation of the country’s sole Hip-Hop music festival, SwaziJive has foreclosed it’s offices and studios in the capital’s CBD and relocated elsewhere. Above all, Sakhile Nkambule played a crucial role in making Hip-Hop culture as popular as it is in Eswatini and continues to do so and the SwaziJive Cyphers are proof of his persistence.

Shadow Zwane

The launch of Swazi Boy Entertainment in 2006 can be attributed as the first of many achievements under Mr Zwane’s impressive resume within the local music industry. Swazi Boy Entertainment gradually became the honchos of House Music in Eswatini after hosting a number of successful events and housing some of the best House Music DJs in the country.

Zwane does not restrict himself to the House genre as he also has an ear for talent in other genres, prior to being independent, renowned Eswatini rapper Lyrikal Busta was shortly signed to the Swazi Boy Entertainment stable. Current Swazi Boy Media & Events projects include the TikTok Eswatini weekly vlog/podcast hosted by comedian Dr. Shakes which also offers live music sets and has partnered with MTN Eswatini.

Gino Kash

Aside from being part of the newly elected Swaziland Arts and Music Association (SWAMA) Executive, Gino Kash has had a long and lustrous career in the music industry. He was the Eswatini brand ambassador of South African energy drink, MoFaya in 2015, he is also the founder of G-Stars Entertainment & Projects, a stable which was once home to Dancehall artist of note, Mala Triggerson.

Gino Kash also currently manages the career of his little brother Skinny G who has been on a continuous rise to stardom since the release of his Amapiano inspired track called SODV (Official Music Video). A song that has managed to get airtime in South African TV and radio stations.

As a result of Skinny G’s increasing popularity and demand, he recently politely declined to be among the artist considered for the MTN Bushfire Firefly List as his musical career has taken off.

Kenneth Tsabedze

The success of a manager can only be evident in the success of the artists on his management roster. Mr Tsabedze is the manager of 2019 SWAMA Producer of the year award winner Mr Kangaroo and afrosoul singer Popzin, who amassed lots of views on YouTube for his hit song Umnyango (Official Music Video).

A music manager who is an accountant by profession, it is no surprise that Tsabedze’s clients seem to be rolling in cash and have an above average financial acumen in comparison to the their local industry counterparts. For instance, producer Mr Kangaroo,

who is Tsabedze’s client is usually seen driving around Manzini in his pricey Mini Cooper if not cooking up hits in his fancy state of the art recording studio known as SSR (Swazi Swag Records).

Larry Mhlanga

Currently dominating the airwaves in Eswatini is an independent internet radio station know as Hala Radio, a game changing phenomenon in the Eswatini media space, particularly for the local music industry. The radio station is the brainchild of Larry Mhlanga, a media guru at heart and an entertainment industry veteran. A number of successful acts in the local music industry have had their careers guided by Mr Mhlanga, known for his excellent tour management, artist development and management skills. If there is one person in Eswatini who can take an act from a bedroom studio to a headline tour across the country within a year it is Larry.

On the list of artists he has worked with are Eswatini’s pioneer of Gospel Hip-Hop, rapper Switch while his latest artist management success was Afrosoul duo A2Z Fusion who were an overnight sensation on social media after the release of their hit single Wena, a Mr Kangaroo production.

These days Mr Larry Mhlanga has his hands filled with the daily grind of running an urban radio station after the success of Hala Radio, a platform that has afforded local talent an opportunity to display their skills to a global audience.

Top 5 Clothing Brands made in Eswatini

Posted on by Feejo

The sale of locally made clothing has been on the rise over the past few years, every day we are introduced to a new clothing line making waves on Instagram.

Streetwear is the term that fashion experts use when referring to the brands we’ll be discussing in this article, these local brands have managed to produce highly desirable clothing that would compete in the fashion world, maybe even outshine renowned designer brands such as Luis Vuitton, even if you are a staunch supporter of designer clothing, there’s no denying that these so called fringe brands are increasingly becoming more mainstream.

1. Touch of Soul (TOS)

When Touch of Soul (the man), a DJ born in Eswatini and based in Durban launched his TOS clothing line during his time at graduate school, little did he know that in a few years his brand would be a front runner in the merchandise game.

Touch of Soul has been quarterbacking the phenomenal rise of local clothing brands for a few years. TOS has managed to penetrate the international market, South Africa in particular and product placement opportunities on music videos of internationally renowned stables such as Afrotainment amongst others have made Touch of Soul (TOS) a highly reputable and desired brand in Southern Africa and the number one clothing brand on the list of Top 5 Clothing Brands in Eswatini.

Touch of Soul has managed to host a plethora of successful activation events in Durban where thousands of revellers were drenched in TOS merchandise and has partnered with SwaziJive for the Touch of Swazi collaborative clothing release. His latest endeavour is a mentorship program in partnership with Standard Bank which aims to empower aspiring clothing line owners with the skills on how to run a successful clothing business.

2. Mark Swag

Walking on the streets of Eswatini, particularly urban settings such as Manzini and Mbabane, you’re bound to come across youths wearing roundneck T-shirt with the words Mark Swag stylized across the chest.

Mark Swag epitomizes consistency with regards to local clothing brands, having been introduced to the masses in 2014 the brand has remained at the hearts of emaSwati for the last six years. Mark Swag pieces are minimal and modern which is an ideal look for urban streetwear but they’re also able to accommodate the adult, so if you are a varsity student or a father of three Mark Swag can be a part of your style.

3. MBO

Renowned Eswatini club Dj Mbo successfully launched his Mbo merchandise in 2014 and received a warm reception from the local market. Credited for producing a high quality product especially on his kalob hats range which is highly durable and doesn’t wear during washes, MBO looks set on making a mark beyond the world of music.

Aesthetically, the MBO brand can be identified by the M letter branded in a shoe lace inspired font.

The secret to MBO’s success in penetrating the local market was in making his product as easily accessible as possible. It is easy to get one’s hands on MBO clothing as the DJ has it available for sale in one of the most frequented retailers at Sneakers Edition, a store that is the Eswatini equivalent of Footlocker.

4. Baby Juice

Established by Makhonkhosi Keith Mndzebele, Baby Juice is probably the most coveted local clothing brand amongst Hip Hop heads in Eswatini. Baby Juice was recently credited for wardrobe and styling on the music video of Close Friends by EscoWxrldwide. On its list of notable accomplishments is a recognition from the cotton king Riky Rick, who is considered to be one of the best dressed males in the South African music industry. Baby Juice scored an invite to the Cotton Fest, an event themed by music and fashion organized by Riky Rick.

Baby Juice items are characterized by minimalistic designs hence making it the ideal brand for regular everyday wear. In terms of build, quality and materials, Baby Juice is at designer level, their no frills designs will have you wearing Baby Juice all the time.

5. S’Grand Ngabo

Established in 2017, S’Grand Ngabo, a SiSwati statement highlighting independence and a strong sense self reliance. This aptly named brand is a regular feature on local Hip Hop music videos as it has been endorsed by local rappers such as Jurie, and Eimsofly who was styled by S’Grand Ngabo clothing for his Fall Over music video.

Most of S’Grand Ngabo designs are bold statement pieces, however they also have low-key items an introverted fashionista would die for.

We love this brand because it successfully combines humour and style in its branding, plus their items are just really cool.

There are plenty other local brands offering top quality products in Eswatini such as Konkhe Kuhamba Kahle (KKK), Spenede, Hleze etc. However the Code268 top five clothing brands in Eswatini list was compiled based on brand popularity; ability to penetrate the market and product availability. All of which are the benchmarks for a successful clothing brand. Africa is filled with plenty of success stories in regards to fashion, we do hope streetwear designers from Eswatini will one day be able to rub shoulders with accomplished and seasoned fashion experts from Africa and beyond, be it Rich Mnisi or Virgil Abloh.