Zuko Collective (ZuCo.) is a musical relationship between Nozuko Mapoma and a selection of musicians and engineers from various walks of life. It took 3 months to assemble Zuko Collective and within that time they travelled to Swaziland for the Annual MTN Bushfire festival. No one will forget the band that came on after Black Motion some time past 1am and opened with a choral warm up! They have since opened for the legendary American rapper/actor Yasiin Bey (more popularly known as Mos Def) at Johannesburg's Skyroomlive as part of iRocke;The world's first ever digital festival. Nothing new can be found in music but the way you combine sounds will certainly set you apart.
http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHauN6an-pWO3ov_gFnegkw
This eclectic, #TellYourTruth movement consists of various band structures that are tailored for every performance. They are creative freedom fighters on a mission to make music about more than just radio play and fame. Their music is loaded with influences from across the genres. From distorted moans of rock influenced guitars to the “pakatuku� of passionate percussive experience. From Zu's, funk/jazz influenced writing to her husky Bjork meets Simphiwe vocals. Everything is played from the heart with the intent to both entertain and influence positive change. Our tribe hails from all around the Southern tip of Africa... but it also represents Johannesburg; the city of dreams and lights we have come to call home away from home.
Nozuko Mapoma's passion was born in the church and raised by her Mother in a strict Christian home. Zu, as she is more popularly known, is a strong believer in the power of love and music as a means for positive change. Her musical foundation is choral and her influences range from Erykah Badu to Letta Mbulu and Dolly Parton. She has collaborated with artists like Percto (Motif Records) and Sliq Angel and has featured on compilations by the likes of Dj Fresh as well as the Motif Records 16’s for 16.
“My heart was heavy,cause at the time in my soul, I kept a secret. I tried to hide from the truth in my eyes every morning. I couldn’t keep it. There I was living a lie, bent on pretending I was happy to keep the secret, but im here today to sing “Tell your truth!” No keeping secrets!” https://soundcloud.com/zukocollective/secrets-tell-your-truth
Trinity Silk has been playing the Trumpet for 10 years and is entirely self-taught. A veteran of premier South African Music festivals (including Splashy Fen, Woodstock and White Mountain), she and her trusty trumpet have notably opened for the legendary Eddie Grant and for Ladysmith Black Mambazo.
Jason Menzies has been playing guitar 16 years and has spent the last 8 years of his musical journey as a teacher. His has also worked on international workshops with Preston Reed and Dire Straits. When he is not teaching at Trinity House or sessioning, he plays electric guitar for ZuCo.
Sibusiso Radebe was tutored by Bheki Khoza and got his first gig playing for Phinda Mtjha. His highlights include playing at the HIFA festival in 2011 in Zimbabwe as part of UMOJA with his group from South Africa alongside musicians from Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Norway. Taken for Maskandi and contemporary sounds on his guitar Sbu is without a doubt a versatile musician and singer.
Sibusiso Chiloane has been playing bass-guitar for 2 years and is an emerging teacher of the instrument. He intends to 'upgrade to the upright bass' soon as this is the instrument he would most like to specialise in. He has recently been added to the teaching staff at Trinity House College.
Mojalefa Mofokeng started playing percussion following a message in a dream and believes in the healing power of his gift. In turn, his wish is to teach young souls to hope, dream and work beyond their circumstances. As an elder, Jale brings a maturity and “refined” spice into the mix.
Nkosinathi Ngubeni aka Mac Z Ngubeni has been playing saxophone since primary school. He has been featured by Dj’s Christos and Ralph Gum. When the 25yr old isn’t playing for Zuko Collective he plays for Master&TheFam,a hip-hop/jazz band recently formed by his cousin. Nathi is also a qualified sound engineer.
Diepkloof-born Mickey Anderson Mabitsela is our very own guardian of sound. Having already worked with Lira and Zonke in a fledgling career, he is passionate and driven... seeking to change the way artists and sound engineers work together.
Maleho Makgothi is a Botswana-born Sound Engineer who developed an interest in the technical side of music during his high school education at a south African boarding school. He later attended the Academy of Sound Engineering in Auckland and went on to complete a 6 month internship with Openroom Productions where he was exposed to high end audio production. He now operates under his company,Pumi Sounds and travels between Botswana and South Africa regularly. He specializes in Zuko Collective’s studio/recording department.
This collective serves the art so that it becomes a movement,.. This is not just an occupation. We want to entertain you. We want to move you.
www.twitter.com/ZukoCollective
www.facebook.com/ZuCoPage
nicethingsbrand@gmail.com nomagungqu@gmail.com