MANDOZA
Based in Johannesburg; performs nationally and internationally

Today one of South Africa's top kwaito superstars; Mandoza's presence in the SA music industry was first noticed when he surfaced as part of kwaito group, Chiskop, and was confirmed in 1999 with the release of one of that year's top-selling (100 000 units and counting) albums, 9115 Zola South, which also earned Mandoza a 2000 FNB South African Music Award nomination as Best Newcomer.

Then, in 2000, Mandoza's talent was once again on blazing style on the multi-platinum album, Nkalakatha. The album produced a smash-hit in the form of the title track which surprised many in the South African music industry by becoming a genuine crossover song, hitting the top of the charts on both traditionally black and white radio stations. The Boss Remixes of Nkalakatha have also proved as popular with a wide range of music fans.

His song Nkalakatha (from the album Nkalakatha) was included as one of the South African Music Awards' "Songs of the Decade" - a category that was especially created for 2004 SAMA 10, to celebrate the 10th year of existance of the music award, as well as a decade of dempcracy in South Africa.

Mandoza's latest album, recorded in 2004, is self-titled, and also making waves in the music industry. Apart from Mandoza and Nkalakatha, Mandoza has recorded 3 other albums, titled Phunyuka Bamphete, Gondoba, and Tornado.

Mandoza's story is an inspirational one. After being released from jail, where he was serving time for stealing a car, Mandoza set his sights on becoming an artist of note, instead of finding his way back onto the streets. This dream was inspired greatly by his mother. "My mother always believed in me. She knew that there was something different about me because I liked music big time. My family is churchgoers so gospel music was always around. And then I used to listen to the Toyota Top 20 on the radio and loved the R&B sounds coming out of it."

Together with equally music-mad childhood friends, S'bu, Siphiwe and Siszwe, Mandoza formed Chiskop. The group was not an overnight success. "We had been together for eight years and we were almost ready to give up when we got our deal," recalls Siphiwe. But after the release of their debut album, Klaimer, and the success of Ghetto 2000, Chiskop are at kwaito's forefront.

Although the Chiskop family remains supportive, Mandoza's deep-seated desire to do a solo project gnawed away at him. "But I had to wait until the time was right. Everyone who knows me was encouraging me to do my solo stuff. I think people first saw my potential during my stage performances. I am very different on stage. Sometimes when I'm singing I feel like crying. When I'm singing "Angikhohlwa Langiphuma Khona", for example, a song on my album, I talk about my roots. The lyrics talk about the fact that when I was a baby I used to fantasise about what I am now. It seems like this was meant to happen."

In fact, Mandoza is known for his ability to tell sometimes heart-breaking, moving tales about streetlife, turning him into something of an urban poet.

His unique vocal style and delivery add real impact to Mandoza's lyrics. "Most of my songs are about the ghetto life. It's about what's happening in the ghetto - the way people dress, the way we drink, the music we listen to, just the way we do things. Even though I'm now successful, I always must remain connected to my roots. If I move out of the ghetto, I still need to go back and see my mother and make sure she's all right and after that I'm going to chill with my friends. The ghetto is where I get my lyrics. People must hear what I'm saying and understand it. The best kwaito describes the life black people are leading. The only problem is that many kwaito artists are doing it for a quick buck and not the love of it like us, talking about important things."

And few albums in the pretty over-subscribed kwaito market do this as well as 9115 Zola South and Nkalakatha. Indeed the latter has earned Mandoza a 2001 South African Music Award for Best Kwaito Music Album. The album's title song was also named Song Of The Year at the same awards event, in a category that's entirely based on popular opinion. This, along with Mandoza's scooping of five of the 10 categories at the 2001 Metro Music Awards - Best Kwaito Artist, Best Male Vocal, Best Album Nkalakatha, Best Styled Artist and Song Of The Year for his smash hit "Nkalakatha - confirm once and for all his superstar status.