Durban Media House and Africori Music Group have released Digital Maskandi Vol. 1. The compilation pairs Maskandi artists with musicians from other South African genres.
The full album follows a month of single releases, according to a release published by Lifestyle and Tech. It mixes Maskandi with hip-hop, pop, Xigaza and other local sounds.
The organisers said the guitar, lyrics and storytelling of Maskandi stay at the centre of every song. “The ambition is to respect the foundations, then see where they can go,” the release said.
The artists on the project include Mzukulu, Blxckie, Sjava, Saliwa, Khanyie, Jaiva Zimnike and Jesse Clegg. Somcwayi, Njabulo Langa, Umqansa, Quality Biyela, Dr Buselaphi, Menzi and Lowfeye of The Qwellers also feature.
The focus track for the album launch is “Martell”. It brings together Njabulo Langa, Umqansa and Quality Biyela.
The first single came out on 11 September. Called “Too Much”, it paired Mzukulu with hip-hop star Blxckie. Mzukulu is the newly crowned Best Male Artist of the Year at the South African Music Awards.
That song uses classic Maskandi guitar leads, Spanish guitar and a saxophone melody, the organisers said.
The second single, “Umgangela”, features Sjava, Saliwa and Khanyie, a young singer from Giyani. It starts as a Maskandi song about friendship, loyalty, culture and love. Khanyie then brings in the rhythm of Xitsonga disco, known as Xigaza.
On “Pain”, Jaiva Zimnike and Jesse Clegg sing about losing a loved one. The release said the song deals with the loss of a child, parent, family member or close friend.
Another single, “Flames”, is an upbeat love song with an R&B feel. It features the late Scebi “Inkosi Yamagcokama” Dlamini in one of his final recordings before he died. Somcwayi plays acoustic guitar and sings alongside him.
The idea for the project came from Ntuthuko Mtshali. He has worked closely with the Maskandi community for years and built platforms for its artists.
Over the past five years, his work in the genre has contributed to three South African Music Awards. These include two Record of the Year wins and one Music Video of the Year award.
The organisers said those wins led to the plan for a bigger compilation. They wanted to bring different generations together around Maskandi and let artists work beyond genre borders.
According to the release, Lowfeye of The Qwellers represents a new generation shaped by internet culture and the streets. Sjava mixes African soul, hip-hop and indigenous storytelling.
Digital Maskandi Vol. 1 is now available on streaming platforms.
Source: this article is based on reporting by Lifestyle & Tech. Image: Lifestyle & Tech. Written with the help of AI and published by the Tzaneen Voice Technology desk. See our Editorial Standards.
Werner Jacobs covers technology for Tzaneen Voice. Werner reports on mobile networks, data prices, internet access, smartphones, apps, AI, cybersecurity and South African tech companies. Each story explains what a new product, price change or policy means for ordinary users in South Africa.