adminBongani Ndlovu Showbiz Correspondent
SOUTH Africa’s house group Durban Nyts of the Shumaya hit fame have grown from a little known dance group to being one of the biggest groups this year after being signed under Kalawa Jazmee records.
The five- member group of Cebe “Teetzee” Ngcobo, Samkele “Soozan” Maphumulo, Lwazi “Slozet” Yokwana, Kabelo “Kaybee” Pekile and Wanda “Choco” Shabalala was in the country for the annual Homecoming Party in Bulawayo.
Their hit song Shumaya which features South Africa Idols 2012 top 16 finalist, Zinhle Ngidi, is a club banger and party starter wherever it’s played.
Originally from Durban, the group was formed in 2010 as a dance crew that would perform in front of pupils in South Africa. They moved to Johannesburg in 2011 to find a career in music and after two years of struggling they got their break at Kalawa Jazmee.
Slozet said Oskido signed the group on the spot in Johannesburg this year.
“Oskido is a mafia. He signed us on the spot after he heard Shumaya. He called us and asked where we were and we said Yeoville.
“He then said he wanted to sign us under Kalawa Jazmee records. We said no Oskido can’t call us, one hour later he calls us again and said he was in Yeoville and signed us on the spot,” said Slozet.
He said from being a little known dance group in their home city of Durban to being one of the top groups in South Africa in just five years, was a huge achievement.
“That man changed our lives. When he sees you and knows that your song can be a hit he doesn’t hesitate to take you under his wing. He has been spotting talent for the past 21 years,” said Slozet.
He said their hit song was accidental in that they did not write it first as is the usual case.
“There’s no formula of producing a hit track. If one is inspired they can come up with one or as in our case, we were playing around in the studio with a beat and a chorus and then we started reciting Shumaya Shumaya, and just like that, we had the song” said Slozet.
He said the group enjoyed being in Zimbabwe and were shocked that their music was popular across the border.
“This is the first time to visit Zimbabwe and it’s a good feeling. We’re humbled by the welcome we received and we now realise that Kalawa doesn’t only have a strong name in South Africa but also in Zimbabwe,” said Slozet.
Online Reporter