Don’t be afraid of Spoek Mathambo

                                   The South African London  - UK

 

In the first of a series profiling South African artists based abroad,DALUXOLO MOLOANTOA connects with Sweden-based music artist Spoek Mathambo, the Soweto-born Afro-pop exponent bringing “Afro-futuristic electronica” to the front row of global pop. Is Spoek Mathambo the best kept secret for post-millennium African dance music? 

 

 In South Africa’s black townships, the name Spoek Mathambo conjures up childhood memories of being terrified to stay out until dark because a ghost of the same name was lurking in the evening’s darkness, waiting to snatch up those kids who defied their parents and played in the streets until dusk. Truth be told, it is just a well-known urban myth told by parents to scare kids from coming home after dark.

The real Spoek Mathambo does exist though, and he is as far from scaring kids away as the North Pole is to the South Pole. In fact, a lot of grown “kids” are very fond of him. The Sweden-based music artist, 24, is much better off described as an urban phenomenon of post-apartheid township music, rather than a simple urban myth.

Part of a new  breed of globally-minded young African artists, Mathambo (Rapper/DJ and Graphic Designer/Illustrator) is pounding the music industry hard with his take on post-kwaito “Afro-futuristic” music. He is carving out his own musical space influenced by hip-hop, electro, and a melting pot of domestic African music genres. Mathambo sees himself as a part of a new wave of artistic energy sweeping through the continent, which is intent on nurturing a sense of musical progressiveness while maintaining a pride in its African identity. He has become an increasingly significant figure in the international electro music scene over the last couple of years, and he wants all of Africa to open itself to his groundbreaking sound. 

He released his debut album, curiously titled Mshini Wam late last year on Stockholm label BBE Records, and he has gathered a worldwide buzz through its unique, all-encompassing flair. “The release of this project is particularly exciting to me as it is basically a sign to the rest of the world of what Africa has in store in terms of progressive electronic music,” he explains. The music video was shot in a Cape Town nightclub, La Referance, and was directed by Beijing-based South African film director Lebogang Rasethaba.

The title Mshini Wam, from the famous freedom struggle song made notorious by ANC and President Jacob Zuma, means “Bring Me My Machine Gun”. Yet for Mathambo Mshini Wam has quite a different meaning: “My Machine in this case … is my platform to express a new wave of electronic African music blowing through the continent!”

Accompanied by a live band he took the album to audiences on a total of four continents, including a coast-to-coast tour of the United States during December 2010. Another highlight was a rooftop performance in his hometown of Soweto, alongside Seun Kuti, an Afro-beat artist and son of legendary Nigerian music icon Fela Kuti, during the 2010 FIFA World Cup. He has appeared on a number of reputable international music magazines, and the reviews have been unanimous in their endorsement of the album.

Mathambo has recently been invited to perform and contribute to an exhibition of top young South African artists at the renowned Mu Gallery in Eindhoven, Holland. He also honoured an invitation to the Red Bull Music Academy rooms in Amsterdam to give a talk.

“Some of the most fascinating new African music I’ve heard lately comes from Spoek Mathambo.”

- The Washington Post.

He cites a broad range of music artists, (and writers), as having an influence on how African music should sound like in the post-independence era. “Mankunku Ngozi , Nothembi, Dumile Feni, Moses Molelekwa, Ihhashi Elimhlophe, Bhekumuzi Khumalo,  Fela Kuti ,Easton Ellis, DJ Tira, Paul Austre, Wiley, LeRoi Jones, Wally Serote, James Baldwin, Miriam Makeba, Ice Cube, Public Enemy, Ralph Ellison, Stevie Wonder… I really love Stevie Wonder… the list is endless… I am influenced by a lot of artists that I hear atv any given moment.” He makes it a point to mention that the guy who is most important but does not get nearly enough credit from him and the media, is  Mshini Wam co-producer Richard Rumney aka Richard The Third. 

What can African music enthusiasts expect from Spoek Mathambo in 2014? 

“First step is to get more of my music onto African and international TV and radio… in newspapers and magazines. I am going to be travelling throughout SA later in the year recording my follow-up album… a kind of an artistic voyage… recording on the road.  I would really like do some shows during this time as well… but there are no plans as yet."

The second half of the year also brings the collaboration - Spoek Mathambo presents Fatasama.Fantasma is a band comprised of a diverse set of South African musicians from varying cities and backgrounds, fusing their respective signature sounds to create something entirely fresh and greater than the sum of its parts.

 Formed at the end of 2013, the Fantasma foursome is made up of multifarious Afro-futurist artist Spoek Mathambo, talented traditional Zulu instrumentalist Bhekisenzo Cele, forefather of Bacardi House sound DJ/producer DJ Spoko and psychedelic rock guitarist Andre Geldenhuys. The group is currently recording their debut album as well as preparing for their 2014 live shows.

His opinion on the state of African music in general? “… African music isn’t so important… the important point is that people shouldn’t stay stuck in nostalgic ideas of what African music was way back before colonisation, or what it was saying during the struggle for independence from the colonial masters. That is the foundation, and we need to keep it moving and let it become a vehicle for the questions of our time. ”