Afrovision

We catch up with musician and producer Muzi, part of the new wave of artists putting South Africa on the map

- Mira Leibowitz

IT’S 5:30PM ON DAY TWO OF ROCKING THE DAISIES. It’s what feels like 47 degrees outside, and we’re in the thick of it. Silence… and then with the energy of a 10-year-old, Muzi runs onto the stage and introduces himself, as if the crowd doesn’t know who he is. Despite his massive audience, his genuine sense of humility is tangible, along with his infectious positive vibe.

Wearing a pink hat and the front part of his ibheshu (traditional Zulu attire), the artist joyfully runs back and forth between mixing classic local tracks from Brenda Fassie to Hugh Masekela – his main inspirations – on the decks, then performing to his own beats.

In a memorable and beautiful moment, he drops ‘Weekend Special’ into his set and, although there are no words, the crowd keeps singing. It makes me think about how powerful music is, how unifying.

As a self-proclaimed ‘internet artist’, Muzi gets that authenticity is now an artist’s currency. Having a genuine relationship with his supporters is incredibly important to him. I experience this first-hand when, fast forward 20 hours, I get the opportunity to sit down and talk to the musician about, well, everything. It’s the Sunday afternoon post-Daisies and I can only imagine that Muzi is exhausted but, as I walk into his hotel courtyard, I am greeted with a big smile and hug.

As a musician starting to climb the ladder of success, Muzi lets me know that he’s the same person that he’s always been and will continue to just be himself. His supporters are kids of the internet – ‘They see right through the bullshit.’