ENTERTAINMENT
Artiste Profile: Meet Bongo Riot, South African’s Most Prolific Reggae Dancehall Artiste
Multiple award winning and most vibrant reggae cum dancehall artiste, Bongo Riot, born Mphikeleli Zungu, took a bold step with his solo career channeling his love for music through a music genre that isn’t so popular in South Africa amongst the youth in comparison to House; Kwaito, Amapiano and Hip Hop.
However, with his leading single “Saka Leyena” receiving positive feedback in the form of radio plays, it has proven to be a step in the right direction for the innovative musician who is setting to embark on a country-wide tour to promote his upcoming album.
It would be an unfair assumption to state that Riot’s career started when he joined Gang Of Instrumentals, a musical group in South Africa. The truth is, that’s where we all got to know the kwaThema resident after his voice reverberated over Teargas’ “Champions”, a song that took South Africa by storm and put Riot on the map.
Crowned ”Mzansi’s Finest” after he won a Castle Lager Hip Hop competition that required him to battle Hip Hop performers around South Africa, Riot
boldly stood out with his Ragga/Reggae rhymes as a member of SAMA winning urban-pop group from Johannesburg, Gang Of Instrumentals, whose members included the songstress (Tumi) and
rapper Mandla N.
In the shedding of his dreadlocks, he emancipated himself and aptly dropped the “Bongo” from his stage name. Bongo Riot is the king of the Southern Africa Reggae Dancehall fraternity.
In the quest for independence and to further showcase his skills, Riot signed with TS Records with a licensing deal from EMI Music/CCP Records and released a 14-track album that kicks off with a nostalgic intro that flows into the second track – “Far Away Bride” and you will certainly know that you’re in for a treat with the Reggae/Ragga album. The bulk of the production is from the legendary Robbie Malinga as well as fellow stable mate at TS Records, Lungelo and also boasts a feature from Lungelo on “Life” and Zahara on a track called “Thetha Nami”. The album, which is suitably titled “I Am an African”, is a melting pot of Reggae/Ragga/Hip Hop and Afro-Soul sounds.
Bongo Riot is currently working with Bantu Media Productions and in 2019, he released a new album titled “Next Levels” His Music will be distributed through Powertainment Reggae Sound.
“Bongo Riot” aka Dancehall Wakanda, is one of the greatest South African vocalists who does not excel only in Dancehall/Reggae genres but also does House, Afrobeat, Amapiano and Pop.
Bongo Riot has won several awards during his career span, the most recent being Best Reggae Dancehall album at South African Music Awards, 2020/2021.
Follow Bongo Riot on the following social media fora…..
Facebook – Bongo Riot Da Rebirth
Twitter – Bongo_Riot
Instagram – Bongo Riot
YouTube – Bongo Riot Da Dancehall Wakanda
Buy or stream Next Levels By Bongo Riot from below….
Book Bongo Riot via email at [email protected] or via phone at +27739748317
ENTERTAINMENT
EXPOSÉ: Shatta Wale Sets the Record Straight, Debunks King Ayisoba’s Claim
A shocking revelation has sent shockwaves through Ghana’s music industry, as dancehall icon Shatta Wale has come forward to dispute a claim made by legendary musician King Ayisoba. The controversy surrounds the circumstances under which Shatta Wale, then known as Bandana, met the late Terry Bonchaka, a Ghanaian music legend.
Terry Bonchaka’s legacy continues to inspire and influence a new generation of Ghanaian musicians. His impact on the music scene was immense, and his friendships with emerging artists like Shatta Wale, King Ayisoba, and Kay Smooth are well-documented. However, a recent interview with King Ayisoba on Hammer Time has sparked a heated debate about how the three met.
In the interview, King Ayisoba made the astonishing claim that he and another artist, Biblicman, were responsible for introducing Shatta Wale to Terry Bonchaka. This assertion has been met with skepticism by many, and Shatta Wale has now come forward to set the record straight.
In a separate interview on “Time With Hammer”, Shatta Wale provided a detailed account of how he met Terry Bonchaka. Contrary to King Ayisoba’s claim, Shatta Wale revealed that it was Terry who rather introduced himself and Ayisoba to each other. This testimony is corroborated by Kay Smooth himself, who shared his version of events in a recent video.
In the video, Kay Smooth explained that he was friends with Terry Bonchaka and attended school with Shatta Wale. When Shatta Wale expressed his admiration for Terry’s style and requested an introduction, Kay Smooth facilitated the meeting. This account provides the final piece of the puzzle, confirming that King Ayisoba’s claim was indeed false.
The controversy surrounding King Ayisoba’s claim has sparked a lively debate about the importance of honesty and integrity in the music industry. Shatta Wale’s response and Kay Smooth’s corroborating account have provided clarity on the circumstances surrounding their meeting with Terry Bonchaka.
As the music community continues to evolve, it is essential that we prioritize truth and accuracy in our narratives.
Watch the videos from all three accounts below:
ENTERTAINMENT
Taabea GMA UK 24 Awards: Joseph Matthew Honored as “UK Based Highlife Artist Of The Year”
Afrogospel sensation Joseph Matthew has been honored with the esteemed “UK Based Highlife Artiste of The Year” award at the recently concluded Taabea Ghana Music Awards UK 2024.
This notable achievement is a testament to Joseph Matthew’s innovative approach to music, which seamlessly blends gospel messages with diverse genres, including highlife.
Joseph Matthew is a renowned Afrogospel artist celebrated for his versatility and musical ingenuity. His unique sound, which effortlessly blends different genres, has resonated with audiences worldwide.
With his award-winning song “Promise Land”, Joseph Matthew has demonstrated his ability to merge highlife with other genres, producing a captivating sound that has dominated the airwaves in Ghana and gained significant international traction.
Under the year of review, “Promise Land” made a profound impact on the music scene, leaving an indelible mark on listeners worldwide. The song’s reach and influence made it a clear frontrunner for the “UK Based Highlife Artiste of The Year” award.
Joseph Matthew is proud to announce the release of his latest single, “Fear No Evil”. This highly anticipated track is already making waves across all music outlets, delivering the same level of musical excellence and spiritual depth that fans have come to expect from the talented Afrogospel artist.
Stream/Download “Fear No Evil” Now:
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