Zakes Bantwini
Durban-based music mogul Zakhele Madida, stage name Zakes Bantwini, is best known as the man who discovered kwaito sensation L'vovo Derrango. But his remarkable achievements stretch far beyond signing new talent. With nine albums under his belt, as well as scooping winner of the Best Male Award at the 10th METRO Music Awards in 2011 and winner of the Most Gifted Video of the Year Artist at the Channel O Awards in 2011, Zakes is a musical extraordinaire.
As a former ballet and stage performer, Zakes fell in love with music from a young age and started his career playing the piano while studying towards his Diploma in Jazz and Popular Music at the Natal Technikon (now Durban University of Technology). He identified the value of being an all-round musician, able to manipulate his skills into different genres, and Jazz provided the ideal foundation.
Zakes formed independent record label Mayonie Productions during his final year of studying – seen as a brave move in the industry at the time. Adamant to avoid being another musician whose fate lay in the hands of a record company, he decided to form his own business focused on signing new talent and negotiating on their behalf. This business venture led to the discovery of L’vovo.
Zakes’ devoted passion for the industry in addition led him to discover Durban Kwaito Music (DKM), a genre which finds a perfect balance between house beats and kwaito lyrics, providing a cross-over appeal but staying true to the kwaito feel. The introduction of DKM has opened the industry up for new up-and-coming musicians to make their mark.
Teaming up with top producer and award-winning DJ Black Coffee, Zakes’ latest album Love, Light and Music is a collaboration between Mayonie Productions and Soulistic Music, following the success of their collaboration on JUJU. The album has exploded Zakes’ career both locally and internationally, presenting opportunities for performances in Africa, Europe and Asia.
While pursuing an active recording schedule, Zakes loves nothing more than to be on stage, clearly evident in the energy and passion he brings to every performance. With his 7-piece band, Zakes has been described as a blend of James Brown, Fela-Kuti and other soulful musical influences from New Orleans.
Dubbed as the new King of Dance music, Zakes fondly describes his sound as “sophisticated dance music – a Cosmopolitan perspective that talks about different lifestyles”.
Check out Zakes Bantwini on Facebook or follow him on Twitter at @ZakesBantwiniSA.
As a former ballet and stage performer, Zakes fell in love with music from a young age and started his career playing the piano while studying towards his Diploma in Jazz and Popular Music at the Natal Technikon (now Durban University of Technology). He identified the value of being an all-round musician, able to manipulate his skills into different genres, and Jazz provided the ideal foundation.
Zakes formed independent record label Mayonie Productions during his final year of studying – seen as a brave move in the industry at the time. Adamant to avoid being another musician whose fate lay in the hands of a record company, he decided to form his own business focused on signing new talent and negotiating on their behalf. This business venture led to the discovery of L’vovo.
Zakes’ devoted passion for the industry in addition led him to discover Durban Kwaito Music (DKM), a genre which finds a perfect balance between house beats and kwaito lyrics, providing a cross-over appeal but staying true to the kwaito feel. The introduction of DKM has opened the industry up for new up-and-coming musicians to make their mark.
Teaming up with top producer and award-winning DJ Black Coffee, Zakes’ latest album Love, Light and Music is a collaboration between Mayonie Productions and Soulistic Music, following the success of their collaboration on JUJU. The album has exploded Zakes’ career both locally and internationally, presenting opportunities for performances in Africa, Europe and Asia.
While pursuing an active recording schedule, Zakes loves nothing more than to be on stage, clearly evident in the energy and passion he brings to every performance. With his 7-piece band, Zakes has been described as a blend of James Brown, Fela-Kuti and other soulful musical influences from New Orleans.
Dubbed as the new King of Dance music, Zakes fondly describes his sound as “sophisticated dance music – a Cosmopolitan perspective that talks about different lifestyles”.
Check out Zakes Bantwini on Facebook or follow him on Twitter at @ZakesBantwiniSA.