Musa Keys, aka Tsonga Michael Jackson pushing Amapiano globally, launches Nandos EP

By Edward Tsumele, CITYLIFE/ARTS Editor

Among some of us who are from the kwaito era and have over the years moved on to other ‘sophisticated’ musical sounds, such as orchestral music, theatre, dance and opera, for example, have always been curious about this new sound that the young people that are colloquially labelled Ma2000s, have come to embrace, Amapiano.

This is ever since this sound emerged on the local music scene sounding a bit like kwaito, but quite not it at the same time. Yes, we can feel some strong elements of music that we once embraced, owned and respected during our turn to be young and happening as we pounded the dance floors with our movies, be it in Tembisa, Katlehong, Soweto, Alexandra, Hillbrow and other urban areas, kwaito was the thing, a big thing for a decade, starting in the early 1990s, just before freedom dawned. We had our own language, our own dress style and our attitude to accompany kwaito. Just like the other sub cultures that often accompany a new trendy music genre over the years, such as jazz, pop and bubblegum music that emerged in previous decades to take centre stage and influence youth culture of the time. Making it cool, to listen to, dance to, dress to match it, and develop a language that went with the specific cultures.

But like all other sounds that have emerged in different periods as society evolved and its taste as defined by the youth of the time, kwaito reached its sell-by date to be replaced by other sounds.

And so kwaito has evolved into yet another sound that technically is a kwaito variation, which is more mature and ‘sophisticated’ with regards to its arrangement, and the new young people, the new generation, our own children now call it Amapiano. And just like kwaito that their parents, we, used to dance to and embraced, our children have embraced this one. Not only that, but where our generation failed to take kwaito to the world, our children now have in a remarkable way taken Amapiano to the rest of the world.  Be it  New York, London or Greece for example, the world is dancing to Amapiano, a proudly South African sound created right here both in backroom studios and those in air conditioned buildings owned by recording majors. This thing called Amapiano makes us curious still. It could be because we can feel strong traces of the vibe we used to feel in Amapiano in our youth. It could be because this thing called Amapiano has exploded in the world, and has made South African music the centre of discussions in international music studios as other producers and recording company executives are trying to figure out how did this happen and who are the main players driving this sound as producers from South Africa, and therefore are looking for collaboration opportunities with them.

It was against this background that I found myself heading to Flame Studios at Constitution Hill this week, where I found myself in the company of a number of media types, comprising arts writers, journalists and the influencer types who were invited to meet one major international player who has taken this sound to the world as a much sought-after and respected young producer from South Africa.

We were there not only to listen to a new  Amapiano EP commissioned by chicken restaurant chain Nandos, an international brand making waves around the world, which just like Amapiano is also homebrewed, but also to meet the leading international Amapiano phenomenon.  A hugely talented young producer called Musa Key, otherwise known as Tsonga Michael Jackson. Wearing a baggy blue pair of jeans, at face value there is nothing to suggest that he is a huge producer causing all the trouble internationally when it comes to cooking Amapiano sound. In fact If he never spoke and then you pick his un-mistakenly strong adopted American drawl, you would pass him in the crowded Johannesburg streets without not so much as give him a glance. He carried the demeanour of simply being one of the boys that we often pass in the streets, usually in their hands carrying skateboards and heading somewhere where in the city, minding their own business. Except that this kid is no ordinary.

With a BET and Grammy Award nominations behind his name, he is definitely huge internationally as a player driving the Amapiano sound as a producer, a fact that shocked some of us. You can blame it on ignorance, age, being out of touch, cynicism, snobbery or a combination of all of these elements, when it comes to this sound called Amapiano, personally I had not heard of this kid till that day. But it turns out that he actually paid his dues on home ground and on the continent before relocating to the US from where he is conquering the world with his Amapiano sound.

His is a story of absolute talent, with amazingly humble beginnings, the rural surrounds of Giyani in Limpopo. His is indeed a remarkable story indeed, a story that in a way proves that South Africa is a leader when it comes to musical talent, and someone’s background is not an issue. And just for context, Giyani is a small rural town ensconced at a corner of the country in the far North in Limpopo, whose claim to fame is the fact that it used to be the capital of the homeland of Gazankulu in apartheid South Africa. Life remains hard for ordinary people in that part of South Africa in post apartheid South Africa, with development lagging behind most parts of the country, and poverty being a defining feature of rural life, unemployment among the ranks of the young being problematic.

But this is where this talent emerged from to take centre stage as to become the iconic South African producer of the Amapiano sound internationally, making waves in the US where he has moved to. Though he did not say when he moved to the US, his accent, would suggest that he has been there for a while.

It is therefore from that base that he gets to create the Amapiano sound as a producer of note for the genre, and from where he gets to travel and work in the rest of the Western world, including in European capitals where he is said to be in huge demand as a performer and producer.

In fact on Wednesday, we were told that he had just landed at OR Tambo International Airport, flying from Greece for the launch of this Nandos EP when he kept us waiting for what appeared to be two hours while we enjoyed drinks.

The point is Giyani wunderkind, Musa Keys, aka Tsonga Michael Jackson, is serving up flames as the executive producer of Nando’s Mix It Up Vol. 3 EP. Collaborating with international artists A$AP NAST, Teni, and Unknown T, and South African producers Duppy, Nkulee, and Toby Franco, the EP marks Nando’s third extra hot music drop.

It’s a true celebration of one of the biggest cultural movements to come out of South Africa: Amapiano – and it’s a genre that is making musical waves across the globe. Essentially, Nando’s is Amapiano and Amapiano is Nando’s.

Recorded and produced between Nando’s sponsored Flame Studios recording hub at Constitution Hill in Johannesburg and Nando’s Soho recording studio in London, the EP embodies Nando’s brand belief that ‘Life’s Better When You Mix It Up’. International cultures and music styles come together on the tracks to embrace the ever-evolving piyano genre, championing collaboration and experimentation.

On Mix It Up Vol.3, the infectious rhythms of Amapiano meet the raw US rap of hip-hop artist A$AP NAST, the mesmerising lyricism of award-winning Nigerian artist Teni, and the distinctive UK Drill tones of Unknown T, the first drill rapper to land a Top 50 chart position in the UK. 

They have teamed up with young talented South African producers Duppy, Nkulee and Toby Franco. Duppy produced the track “No Police”, an exciting and infectious blend of UK Drill and Amapiano, while Nkulee produced “Living My Life”, a blend of thumping Amapiano and exceptional musicality teamed with beautiful electric piano and live bass. Toby Franco produced “Come Closer”, an energetic track showcasing Teni’s vocal talents and musical prowess.

Award-winning South African producer, singer and songwriter, and executive producer on this EP, Musa Keys, is best known for his flamboyant style and incredible stage presence. He followed his Platinum-selling 2020 hit single, Samarian Boy, with his 2021 3x Platinum-selling single, Vula Mlomo, which gained traction across the continent and saw him performing in Tanzania, Ghana, Zambia and Kenya as part of his 2021 Keys To Africa Tour. Vula Mlomo also went on to win Record of the Year at the South African Music Awards.

Mix   It Up shines a light on the incredible sounds emerging from the South African and global music scenes, while driving Nando’s broader initiative to change lives through its connections and influence within music in the UK, South Africa, and the rest of the world. Believe us when we say these tracks will make you want to move and groove.

Nando’s Mix It Up Vol. 3’EP was launched on 05 July 2024 and is available for streaming across all platforms.