Mandla Mofokeng

Mandla Mofokeng, also known as Spikiri (a nail), is a kwaito musician, singer and producer. He was born in Meadowlands, Soweto.

He started his career as a dancer in 1985, under the tutelage of South African musician Sello “Chicco” Twala. He later formed a disco group called MM De Luxe with friend M'du Masilela in 1988. This duo recorded two successful albums in 1989 and 1990 and introduced what came to be known as township kwaito today. His passion for music led Mandla to enroll at Fuba Music School in 1991 to study engineering and piano. In the 1990s he was producing music for the likes of Chimora, Kamazu, Senyaka and Fatty Boom Boom better known as Tsekeleke. Known for his unassuming demeanour, Mandla Mofokeng is a founder member of the seminal kwaito group Trompies,^[1] which has released a number of albums, some of which are regarded as classics of the genre. He is also a founder member and co-director of the influential record label Kalawa Jazzmee, which has released many well-known kwaito artists, including Boom Shaka, Bongo Muffin, Alaska, B.O.P (Brothers of Peace), and Thebe. Currently he sits on the board of directors at Kalawa Jazmee Recording company and is also one of the master minds in the DCC (Dangerous Combination Crew) the production team of the company. His recent contributions include successful records by Brothers of Peace, Thebe, Bongo Maffin, Alaska, Mafikizolo, Jakarumba, MaWillies and Tokollo and Kabelo' solo projects. Most recently, he was one of the award winning Mafikizolo and Kabelo' producers. Mandla ‘Spikiri's diverse music talents can be witnessed in projects in which he has worked with artists from other music genres, these include Don Laka, Moses Molelekwa, Bra Hugh Masikela, Vicky Vilakazi and Hashi Elimhlophe.

Together with Arthur Mafokate, Oscar Mdlongwa and M'du Masilela, Mandla is credited as a pioneer of the kwaito music genre, which emerged in the early 90’s after the collapse of apartheid. Under the moniker King Don Father Mandla has released several solo albums: King Don Father 2002(the first kwaito double CD), King Don Fire (Chalibaba), King Don Father (Spikiri), King Don Father (The Best of), and others. He has also produced songs for other kwaito artists. He wrote the signature tune of the popular soapie Generations. Even though Mandla “Spikiri” and his group Trompies are regarded as major exponents of the kwaito genre they have yet to win an award in South Africa.

References

1. ^ Harris, Craig. "Biography: Trompies". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p513067/biography. Retrieved 15 June 2010. 

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Name	Mofokeng, Mandla
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