Meet Mandé, the Durban dynamo whose journey from childhood dancing to growing into music through church, has evolved into a mesmerising multi-genre musical experience. In our exclusive interview with Mandé, we delved into the beats and rhythms of his life, uncovering insights that go beyond the melodies.
Writing Good Music
In a music world saturated with catchy hooks tailored for fleeting TikTok moments, Mandé stands out as a beacon of authenticity.
He describes his approach, ‘I’m more of a motivational person who speaks the truth, a person who wants other people to listen as well. In fact, the lyrics and writing need to be relatable; even if it’s a vibe kind of song. So I accommodate what people want at the time and what I’m feeling at the time.’
Spirit Of Collaboration
Mandé's musical journey as solo act has been nothing short of spectacular, it is further enhanced by his decision to collaborate with likeminded musicians to form what can be considered a collaborative symphony.
Mandé shares his list of collaborators, ‘I’ve worked with Mnqobi Yazo, who did the engineering on my first single. I’ve worked with Slowavex, Slim Ego, and I'm still working with Neo Ndawo and SoulKit, who are producers; we actually go way back with most of these artists. There’s a lot, but I still want to work with more artists and more producers.’
The State of the Durban Music Scene
While opinions on Durban's music scene are divided with the negative aspects somewhat getting most of the spotlight, Mandé injects a refreshing positive note by acknowledging both positives and negatives, while providing possible solutions or add-ons to elevate the scene.
Mandé expresses, ‘I’d say Durban is in a good space because now the platform is open to everyone and anyone who’s really serious about their craft and being in the industry, even financially. However, we need more platforms and more events because in Durban we only have two major events: Ivyson tour by Nasty C, and we just recently did Cotton Fest, and even there, the upcoming artists aren’t really on the lineup. Artists are also not getting paid for what they do, so I’d say those aspects are lacking in Durban. Gqom is still doing the most, as it’s our thing anyway, but it all comes down to bookings; we need more platforms and events.’
Durban Promoters vs Durban Artists
Mandé sheds light on the often-overlooked dynamic between promoters and artists in Durban. Expressing concern about limited diversity in lineups.
Mandé says, ‘I don’t feel like promoters are going out there doing the groundwork on who’s who in the zoo. It’s obvious that as an artist, you have to put in the work, akin to the likes of Tony Dayimane and them, but I feel like there’s more to it. I don’t know who’s a promoter in Durban; they’re not putting themselves out there; we don’t know them; we only know of Junior Lavie, and I don’t even know if he’s a promoter. You don’t know who you have to contact in order to actually get opportunities. However, artists also have to put out quality work, be consistent, and know how the industry works in order to be known for their work.’
The Secret To Levelling Up As An Artist
In navigating the complex music industry, Mandé shares a key insight: the necessity of a supportive team.
‘You always need a team behind you; you can never do it by yourself. We try and always tell ourselves we can do it, but to be honest, you need a team. You need a PR team, you need marketing, you need a manager, bookings, a road manager, and so forth. So I’d love that opportunity to get those on my list of people who are going to help me succeed.’
Conclusion
Mandé's musical journey is a testament to the power of collaboration, hard work, and relatability. As a multi-genre artist and dancer, he has carved his niche in Durban's vibrant musical landscape. This interview only scratches the surface of our conversation with Mandé, so tune into the full episode on YouTube.
Main Image by Syabonga Gibisela Pixilight
