It has been a while since we featured an artist ‘On The SpotLight’. This week we feature a talented KwaZulu Natal based artist. Last year he was award by ‘Mzansi House And Kwaito Music Awards’ the ‘Best House New Artist’ and also won the ‘Best Collaboration’ for the ‘Ulundi Entertainment Awards’. Ladies and gentlemen ‘On The SpotLight’ this week, I present to you ‘Masaladi’.
Sho Mag: To kick this off, ‘Big Up’ for taking some time for this ‘one on one’ with us, it has been long coming. To start things off, who is ‘Masaladi’ and where is he from?
Masaladi: Thanks you for having me. Masaladi’s real name is Mondli Thabiso Zakwe,I was born at Ulundi, South Africa but I grew up at Nquthi which is also in KZN, South Africa.
Sho Mag: Your deejay name is ‘Masaladi’, can you tell us the story behind that name and what does it mean?
Masaladi: Masaladi is a nickname I got from one of the uncles in my neighborhood, back then it had a different meaning that I’m not gonna share for now, but now it simple means ‘everything I mix turns to something good and presentable like a well done salad’.
Sho Mag: What is your role within the ‘music industry’, are you a music producer or a deejay or are you currently involved in both?
Masaladi: I am a deejay and music producer. In the past, I have produced for the likes of ‘Shenise, PdotO, Mental and Ricardo Dyson’ to name the few and my past project has featured ‘Vincent Bones (SA Idols) and Stereo Tone’ to name the few.
Sho Mag: Your journey in music, how did you get into music, was music something you have always wanted to be a part?
Masaladi: I never even once thought of becoming an artist. In 2013 I met an Indian lady ‘Shenise Pillay’ who was doing music at the time and we decided to do a song together, ‘God’s Grace’ and the song won ‘Euphonik Drop Zone Competition’ which was hosted by ‘DJ Euphonik’ and from there I decided to do music full time.
Sho Mag: When did you notice that you had ‘passion for music’ and out of all the ‘music genres’ one can pick from, why choose ‘house music’?
Masaladi: I’ve always loved house music. The was a ‘House(503)’ in my neighborhood that was known for hosting top house parties every weekend during the year 1999-2004 if I’m not mistaken. They were playing house music day in and day out if not ‘K-Ci and JoJo’ and that is where my love for house music started. I decided to do it because I understand it more, it is something I was introduced to as a young boy and grew up loving it.
Sho Mag: Every artist would like to have his/her particular ‘signature sound’. How would you describe ‘Masaladi’ signature sound and what influences that sound?
Masaladi: I’m more of a soulful house artist, I love R&B music a lot so I find it easy to have R&B vocals on my house beats hence the decision to stick to soulful and afro house.
Sho Mag: ‘Music is a very challenging and highly competitive industry’ in general. What would you say is your biggest challenge when it comes to the music industry?
Masaladi: I’d say Financial support and Corrupt Music compilers. In nowadays you don’t get airplays because your music is awesome, but you get airplays because you payed them to play your work and to us upcoming artist that very challenging.
Sho Mag: ‘Big Up’ on being crowned ‘The Best New House Artist for Mzansi Kwaito & House Music Awards 2017’. How does it feel to be recognised as one of the ‘most prolific young house music producers’ and does that crown add some pressure on you as an up and coming producer?
Masaladi: It feels good to be recognized, it shows there are people who believe in what I do and the credit also goes to the team behind the song that got me the award. ‘Ricardo Dyson and Shanaaz Abrahams’ (two vocalist on the song) and ‘Moeneeb Galant’ who recorded, mixed and mastered the song. I wouldn’t say it added pressure but it a motivation I needed. To me winning that award was a step closer to my dream.
Sho Mag: Having had such an amazing 2017. What is instore for us this year from ‘Masaladi’, are there any musical projects you are currently working on for 2018 or on the pipeline?
Masaladi: Firstly I’d like to say thanks you to my team, ‘Clint Carels (ClintCMusic)’ and ,’Moeneeb Galant (GimmeMoe)’ they always make sure my work is top quality and my man ‘Mental SA’ and ‘Dutch’. This year I’m dropping a four track EP. I’ve already dropped a first single, a song titled ‘Luphelile’ which features ‘Mthandazo Gatya’ it is available on digital stores, and it already playlisted on some radio stations. I’m also featured on ‘PdotO album(Under The Sun)’. I’m also working with my boy ‘ClintCMusic’ and hopefully we will drop an ep together before the year end.
Sho Mag: Closing it off, what would be your final message to some ‘young talented bedroom producer’ who is trying to crack open into House Music Industry?
Masaladi: ‘’Keep pushing and make sure you stay true to yourself.’’
Get Social With Masaladi
Facebook: Masaladi
Twitter: Masaladi
Soundcloud: Masaladi