Kwatsaduza-based music production duo Abobhova has recently been nominated for the 2024 South African Music Awards (SAMA) for their kwaito debut single titled Ghetto Skomplaz.
The single was released on March 30 this year and has been doing well on streaming platforms.
Parris Shaker and Lungelo Ngema formed their duo in 2023 at High Time Entertainment (a record label) as a platform to empower various artists. It showcases talent through various audio and visual productions that feature creative performances for commercial growth.
How did the duo start?
It is actually a bit of a funny story because having spent years working together as brothers and as solo artists, the work behind the Abobhova brand was inspired by a trending social media conversation that suggested that kwaito music is dead.
As kwaito enthusiasts who firmly believe that the genre will never die, we then saw an opportunity to showcase the impact that the genre has had in our lives and in today’s musical world.
We did this by bringing together talented artists from all around Kwatsaduza and Ekurhuleni who share the same passion, to then create a project which would see us carry the kwaito music flag forward.
We also started mentoring local artists, and we are currently grooming a 10-year-old passionate singer who has amazing potential and vocal abilities.
How long have you known one another?
If not mistaken, we met between late 2017 and early 2018 through a mutual friend who is also a huge kwaito music fan.
What kind of music do you make?
Abobhova is a hub for creativity, we do not believe in boxing ourselves into one genre of music so we are always looking for ways to grow our production skills to the next level.
We are always experimenting with different sounds and collaborating with different artists who have different tastes and backgrounds in music. There is a lot yet to come from Abobhova, be it amapiano, hip-hop, afro-pop or house music.
Fans can expect more kwaito from us. With an extensive background in kwaito music and the lifestyle around it ourselves; we can confirm that Amapantsula is well represented in every production we create.
How many songs have you made and are they available on streaming platforms?
As a team, we spend most of our time in the studio working and we have no limit when it comes to letting our creative juices flow. Our work includes composing beats, writing lyrics and engineering our productions and also performing.
We have made countless hits. Earlier this year we released our debut project which features six songs with contributions from artists like Mars, Long Division, KB The Suspect, Emza, Gearboxx, 206 Mapantsula and Kabbion Music.
The lead single is called Inamba Namba Iphumile. The song talks about the mission we have set out for ourselves in showcasing that the spirit of kwaito lives on and lives in us. We are here to remind everyone of the good old days while taking you to the future. The mission is on.
What motivates your group?
We are mostly motivated by the love and passion we share for music, the ambition to grow as individuals and as a brand, the love we have for our families, and the commitment to make a difference in our community through our work.
We draw our inspiration to create music everywhere, from our past experiences and our everyday surroundings to the lifestyle young people find themselves living today and the struggles that the black community continues to face daily.
When did you receive a notice of nomination for the SAMA?
We received the news about the nomination on the 26th of September 2024 after the nomination announcement ceremony.
ALSO READ: Art event unleashes adult creativity
How does the nomination make you feel?
We were very excited when receiving the news. This grants us an opportunity to rub shoulders with some of the biggest names in South African music through our very first project.
Working together as Abobhova is a great and humbling experience. We are definitely blessed.
Do you feel recognised?
With over a thousand entries in the best kwaito album of the year category, we are among the top five who got nominated, for us this is more than just recognition. This nomination serves as a symbol of growth towards our goal of creating and sharing quality entertainment through creative music productions that inspire change for South Africans and the world to enjoy.
Is this your first nomination?
Not even, the #SAMA30 nomination is actually our second. Our first nomination was in 2021 at #SAMA28 in the same category” with Ngema’s debut album called Trip To Jozi.
Does this nomination serve as motivation for the group?
Most definitely! To have our name and work included in such a category on the biggest night in South African music is a huge milestone and motivation.
Such an achievement proves not just to us but to everyone who has been watching and supporting us to grow that it is indeed possible to make it. If you put in the time, you will get the results.
What are you mostly grateful for?
We are grateful for the opportunity to creatively express ourselves and grateful for the continued love and support we receive from our families, friends and colleagues.
Our label High Time Entertainment gives us the opportunity to share our art with the world and we massively appreciate everyone who contributes, loves and shares the work that we do.
Do you aim to inspire the youth in any way through your music?
We draw inspiration to create our music from everything and anything that happens to and around us, so we aim to inspire everyone to listen.
From any individual trying to hustle and put food on the table, to couples trying to navigate relationships, black families finding their way in the modern world, and we aim to inspire positive moral values within our community through the music we make.
How would you like the community to assist you?
Honestly, we are still growing and we need everyone’s support. Music lovers can assist by streaming our music as much as possible on all digital audio platforms.
Social media enthusiasts can follow and share our content as much as possible. We are also available to turn up the heat at any special event or party. To our fellow musicians, let’s connect and make a difference through music in our lifetime.
ALSO READ: Embrace the twists and turns of your learning journey: Becoming an attorney
At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
