The story of Shangaan electro’s transformation from peripheral South African sub-genre to global phenomenon is truly remarkable.

By setting up Nozinja Music Productions in 2005, Nozinja founded a stable where artists could create music, develop music videos and travel to shows across the country (providing the label manager hired the mini-bus on time). While Nozinja’s new album Nozinja Lodge marks an exciting new chapter for the genre, there are a number of artists that have released material already that test the frenetic upper-limits of the unique sound.

We’ve selected five lesser-known artists from the Shangaan nation ranging from Nozinja’s right hand men to cutting-edge artists turning heads in London. With an overarching DIY mentality, the videos perfectly capture the self-made mania of the sound.

Nozinja’s central ambition with his journey toward superstardom is to represent the sounds and the stories of his neighbours. To honour that, these five inimitable strands of Shangaan electro should provide a wider picture of the sound so close to his heart.

1

Tshetsha Boys

After catching Nozinja’s eye at a dance contest, the Tshetsha Boys have become a prominent force in the genre. Their attire is truly characteristic of the traditional culture – masks, bright orange boiler suits and clown wigs. One of the more accessible acts of the Shangaan movement.

2

Tiyiselani Vomaseve

After setting up Nozinja Music Productions, this group were Nozinja’s first real hit- making machine. Made up of three sisters and two friends, the female group broke Shangaan tradition by placing themselves firmly in the limelight rather than singing back-up to their male peers.

3

Mancingelani

With a stage-name that translates roughly as “security guard” (his day job), Mancingelani comes from a dynasty of musicians in Soweto. His voice is more raspy and his sound a little more makeshift than a lot of his peers, but it embodies the DIY principles of the genre. His track Vana Vases was remixed by Theo Parrish in 2012.

4

Foster Manganyi

Hailing from Giyani in Limpopo, Manganyi is a pastor who makes a gospel-infused strand of Shangaan electro. Put it this way: if more Sunday-morning services sounded like this then turnout might rapidly improve. Sincere, devotional vocals against the bass-free backdrop of Shangaan.

5

Mualusie

SHANGAANBANG are a London-based digital Shangaan electro imprint continuing Nozinja’s legacy. Mualusie is a Limpopo-based signee of theirs with a contemporary, cutting-edge take on the sound. With auto-tuned vocals, a post-internet aesthetic and the same breakneck momentum – tracks like Siyavhuma and Khombo maintain the futuristic ethos which started the whole genre.

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