Distruction Boyz have created a brand new sound (EGM)

Distruction Boyz became Known for being the international face of Gqom music, which is a dark sound that emanates from backrooms in townships, after breaking the record of Best Selling Gqom album “Gqom Is The Future” and touring the world – the duo have now created a new sound called EGM.
EGM is an African version of EDM(EDM is Electronic Dance Music which is very popular in Europe it’s an uptempo sound that’s loved by festival lovers and dance music enthusiasts). The new sound that is soon to hit the international stage is a mixture of Gqom & EGM. “Many people didn’t understand the Gqom sound and we don’t blame them because the sound is so raw and rough. But when we started visiting international studios, hanging with world producers and learning more about music as a whole we decided to upgrade our sound. We played around with different sounds until we found synergy and found similarities between Gqom & EDM from there we merged the 2 to create a new song. A much smoother, clearer, more refined in the ear and easier to attach an international vocal other than gimmicks that cant be played on radio. This new sound will make international superstars want to collaborate with South African producers because the sound has such an international appeal. We think this is going to be the biggest bridge in placing us big players in the world & not as underdogs from South Africa” – Goldmax. 
Distruction Boyz are currently in talks with various stakeholders to have the sound recognized in digital stores & exported the the world. Should this happen this means the Boyz are going to enter the books of legends because they will forever be recognized as the pioneers of Gqom and the creators of this new sound. 
A taste of the new sound will be available on digital stores in their new album titles “From the Streets to the World” (now available on pre-order). The first single feat “Nevermind” festures Zhano is set to take the world by storm and will be available when you pre-order the album. 
Distruction Boyz are set to train young producers about this new sound so that they transmit all the knowledge they’ve gained abroad so young producers can be know which route to take in creating music that will appeal to the world yet remain true to their African roots.

Artist Of The Week: Afrotainments Siphamandla Dlamini aka Paras

Siphamandla Dlamini better known as Paras in the music scene, was born and raised in KwaMashu and Ulundi. He went to Masibumbane High School, Ulundi where he discovered his talent while growing up as a church boy by learning how to play drums. At some point, he gave up and focused on school and sports (VolleyBall and Soccer) which he played at district level. During his senior high school level, the music calling haunted him – he then went back to playing drums at church. From then on, he never looked back as he was given a chance to play for talented Nqubeko Mbatha who was then playing and directing at an internationally known music choir Joyous Celebration. While growing up, Paras used to listen to kwaito, african jazz, R’n b soul music and maskandi which was the influence from his late uncle.

Music Journey

Paras started growing up musically even more after moving to Durban full time having completed his high school level (matric). He started playing and sharing big stages with the likes of Joyous Celebration, Nqubeko Mbatha, Vuyo Mokoena, Judith Sephuma, Swazi Dlamini, Kelly Khumalo, Vuka Afrika, Hlengiwe Mhlaba, Nduduzo Makhathini to mention just a few.

In 2010, Paras’ carrier changed even more when he presented his first show as a Drummer/Vocalist, composer and song-writer called The Journey Begins, a gospel concert. He never looked back as he was still looking for his original sound as an emerging artist. In 2012/13, Paras found his sound which he calls Ubuntu Soul Africa (world music). He met the jazz maestro,  Themba Mkhize and after just a few months, he moved to Johannesburg to stay with Mr Mkhize. He then started recording a jazz album produced by both Themba Mkhize and Nduduzo Makhathini. 

Late 2014, he started receiving calls to collaborate with DurbanDj’s and his very first collaboration was when he did a hit single that revived the vosho dance even more (Benny Maverick ft Paras- Vosho). That’s the song which really introduced him to the House Music market. He got a follow up single with (Dj Websta ft Paras & Dj Nastor- Ungowami). From then on, he got more involved in the dance music working with the likes of Dj Fisherman, Mondli Ngcobo, Sobz, Demor, Dj Doc (underground dj).

A life changing experience was in 2017 when Paras joined DJ TIRA’s recording label,  AFROTAINMENT.

That’s when things turned around. He worked alongside a highly profiled producer Prince Bulo on a collaborative album Afro Summer 2017 by Ezase-Afro. Where he collaborated on the following tracks:

DJ TIRA ft Paras & Emza- Sobuye Sibonane

PARAS & LUKE- Imithandazo

DJ CNDO & ZODWA WABANTU ft Paras & Character- Bheja 

This album features most hits and popular music like Malume, Mamelani, Amadada, uSwidi Wodwa Lo, Iscathulo to name just a few. 

He has also made appearances on SABC 1’s Yo Tv and Metro FM performing live along-side the legend, DJ TIRA, Prince Bulo and Tipcee. Paras has yet to released his debut hit single QONDI produced by Prince Bulo. 

FORTY AND FUNNY WITH RORY PETZER

Top Durban comedian and East Coast Radio Executive Producer, Rory Petzer will celebrate his 40^th birthday in November with an extravaganza of top class comedy at Burlesque Cocktail Bar in Hillcrest.

The show will take place at 20h00 on Thursday 14 November, the day Rory turns 40.

The line-up will include East Coast Breakfast host and one of South Africa’s favourite comedians, Darren Maule, another East Coast Radio presenter, the fall-off-your-chair hilarious Neil Green and Durban favourite Mo Vawda.

“It’s the birthday I’ve been dreading for about a decade now, so instead of hiding away from it, I decided to run straight at it with the biggest show of my career so far! I’ve rallied together a few of my favourite comedians for a one-night-only extravaganza of fun and laughs at my favourite comedy venue,” says Rory.

The hilarious, once in a lifetime, comedy special will be hosted by the birthday boy himself, Rory.

“We’ve been doing comedy together since Rory moved to Durban over five years ago, and we’ve grown together too, so to be included in the big 40^th bash is quite exciting,” says Mo Vawda, who has been traveling all over the country with his gags.

The audience can expect at least 100 minutes of side-splitting hilarity.

Forty and Funny is the perfect idea for your end-of-year office function.

No matter what your taste in comedy, the line-up has been carefully curated to ensure every single person who walks through that door on 14 November has the time of their life.

Come celebrate Rory’s 40^th birthday with his favourite comedians at Burlesque Cocktail Bar on 14 November. Doors open at 19h00.

Tickets are only R100 each and are available at Webtickets.

Artist Spotlight: Mlungisi ‘Manqonqo’ Buthelezi

Mlungisi “Manqonqo” Buthelezi is a 21 year old Musician born and bred in Zwelitsha, Adams Mission in Kwa Zulu-Natal. From the age of 10 it was clear that the boy would one day be a star.  His passion for music grew in music school groups during his childhood. He later got used to writing his own songs and producing his own music.

For the past four years, Manqonqo took his music to the next level when he started performing at professional staged. This made him realize that music was not just a hobby but a gift and a calling for him and he needed to share it with the rest of the world.

This is when he and his team worked on a song that has now reached +2.6 Million views on YouTube, titled Eyadini. Even though the song speaks of a specific venue of entertainment in Durban, it’s a representation of all places of entertainment.

Manqonqo is now the main topic throughout the whole country for his amazing hit track titled “Eyadini”. What’s more inspiring about Manqonqo’s story is that in his upcoming album he worked with young people around his age. Majority of the tracks on the album was produced by 19 year old Mlondi “Airic” Ngubane.

Manqonqo says he is inspired by local music heads like DJ Tira & DJ Cleo.