Mzansi Magic viewers can look forward to an exciting upcoming documentary series that will take them back in time. After a fierce rivalry in South African music history, how did two warring sworn enemies become one label? The story of Kalawa Jazmee will explore the rivalry between two of South Africa’s most iconic music labels: Kalawa and Jazmee.
Discover the untold secrets and drama that shaped South African music, when a powerful merger between Kalawa, formed by Christos, Don Laka, Sebitlo, and Oskido, and Jazmee formed by Jakarumba, Eugene (both members of the Kwaito group Trompies), Mojalefa, Sibiki and Mofokeng – created Kalawa Jazmee Records, a label that would take South African into its golden era of music.
Together, their unconventional ways earned them the title of bad boys, leading to one of the grittiest and most raw music genres of our time. Aside from this, Kwaito’s uncompromising attitude became the voice of the youth, while it also divided society.
Using re-enactments from their younger days, this four-part documentary show will follow the story of how the two labels fought over ownership of the hit song Sigiya Ngengoma that took South Africa by storm in 1994 and the subsequent impact it had on the music industry and culture.
“Throughout its almost three-decade-rich history, Kalawa Jazmee Records has been a major contributor to the South African music industry, pushing the boundaries of sound and culture and producing some of the most iconic songs that have become part of the South African soundscape. We are excited about the upcoming show and look forward to sharing the story of this iconic label with viewers,” says Shirley Adonisi, Director of Local Entertainment Channels at M-Net.
When Trompies was on Massive Music
Kalawa Jazmee Records has been a key player in the South African music scene since the early 1990s and has been a major force in popularizing Kwaito music. The label has produced some of the most iconic songs that have become part of South African pop culture and has helped shape the music scene in the country in a significant way.
Kalawa Jazmee Records has been home to generations of prolific artists and legendary groups like Trompies, Boom Shaka, Mafikizolo, B.O.P, Bongo Muffin, Profesor, Uhuru, Zonke, Dj Zinhle, Black Motion, BigNuz, Busiswa and Vigro Deep among others.
This docu-series promises to take viewers behind the scenes of South African music and transform what viewers think they know about the genre. Starting on 13 August, catch Kalawa Jazmee at 5pm on Mzansi Magic (DStv channel 161).
