Mpho-za

Mpho-za was born Mpho Mokwele in one of the most famous townships in South Africa and in the world, Soweto. He started his music career in 1999 when he formed a rap duo called TNT which uniquely fused Tsonga and Sotho. His music can be described as Hip-Hop/Rap with a message but at the same time with soul and swagger. Take one listen and you are bound to connect with the music and feel a certain way the song is driving you towards.

“In the streets of Soweto” is the title of Mpho-za's debut album which features Mzansi’s own R’nB sensation ‘Sgebi and includes singles like “Music” and “U Doing it”. The music video for the radio single “Music” has been on high rotation on VUZU.tv, Channel O and MTV BASE. To indicate its popularity with viewers, the same music video was flighted on the popular SABC music video show (LIVE) in 2010 and on the highly rated I-Request Show on Channel O. The video can viewed on Mpho-za’s website www.mpho-za.com and on YouTube.

The year 2011 will see the release of Mpho-za’s long awaited debut album on 2 March 2011 at Bassline (Newtown) and the Hyatt Hotel (Rosebank) on 25 March. The music video for the second single (“U doing it”) is ready to hit all the major music channels in January 2011. The 1st two radio singles “Music” and “U doing It” are also currently on UJfm’s local top 20 charts and have been playlisted on Metro FM. The latest UJfm charts can be accessed on http://www.mio.co.za/article/uj-fm-2010-04-29.

The album is released by his label Echoes Music Records and is set to hit the shelves this summer. The album is to be released digitally MTN Exploded and Nokia OVI digital stores through a non-exclusive deal with Matchboxology. Mpho-za’s music is to be published by Sony/ATV Music Publishing, a division of Sony Music Entertainment. The publishing contract was clinched with Sony/ATV during the month of July 2010.

In 2010 Mpho-za formed a hip-hop live band comprising of 5 members (bass, keyboards, drums, piano and backing vocalists) to give fans amazing and unforgettable performances. The live band will set Mpho-za apart from his peers in the South African hip-hop industry in that most of them do not use live bands for performances.

The production of the album is of the highest quality in the Hip-Hop game in Mzansi and the first single “Music” is currently shaking the air-waves like mad. Check out Mpho-za’s album (“In the streets of Soweto”) in a store near you. Mpho-za is definitely the future of Hip-Hop.