M'du Masilela
M'du Masilela aka 'The Godfather', aka ' Chomi Yabana' is a living legend in the music industry in South Africa. He is popularly known for the Kwaito music genre. Born in Zola South in 1970, M'du began his music aspirations on his grandmother's piano. As a young man in school, M'du created several groups. On completion of his metric studies he was performing with artists such as Pat Shange, Yvonne Chaka Chaka and Sello 'Chicco' Twala. M'du and his long time pal and collaborator, Mandla 'Spikiri' Mofokeng formed MM Deluxe to showcase their talents by mixing township folk music with international dance music. This was evident in their first project, LA Beat using the assistance of producer and engineer, Peter Snyman.
Production Talents
M'du briefly worked for CSR Records as a producer and engineer for Chicco, Dr Victor and Bayethe. In 1994, M'du created M'du Productions, which up to this date is a formidable force in the production of Kwaito music in South Africa. He went to form a group known as Mashamplani with countless hits such as 'Kumnandi' and 'Bokoloshe' and produce for MaWillies. He has collaborated with PJ Powers, Yvonne Chaka Chaka and Vicky Sampson for a music video flighted at the United Nation's Assembly in Washington D.C. and Greece. In 1998 he recorded a remix of Days Like This by Kenny Lattimore an popular American R&B Singer. Recently he has been working with Mzekezeke, Kabelo Mabalane, Brown Dash. Apart from his group efforts and production commitments, M'du is a kwaito star on his own and his Cd's are guaranteed to be certified Platinum (selling more than 50 000 records), whenever he releases a record. He relaunched his record label M'du Records through a joint venture with EMI South Africa, the first album to be released was Ya Rocka taking it back to the kwaito flavour.
Personal Life
A quiet family man, M'du likes to keep his family life private. He has been married for 19 years to his high school sweetheart, Sarah Masilela who also runs a Management Company working alongside her husband. Together they have 3 children Dineo, Lebo and Andile.
Discography
- La Beat
- Ipompe (1996)
- Always Da Case (1997)
- M'Du or Die (1998)
- 24 Seven (1999)
- No Pas No Special (2000)
- The Godfather (2001)
- Ya Rocka (2004)
- C - Simple (2005)
- Believe it or not (2006)