Kwaito Legend Mandla “Spikiri” Mafokeng also know as The King Don Father is set to kick off his popular ‘Christmas In July’ tour.
This year the 7-date event celebrates his 25th album (2.5) with shows in Gauteng, North West, Mpumalanga and Limpopo.
DATES:
15 July – Mahwelereng Hall ( Mokopane, Limpopo)
16 July – Ragging Bull ( Polokwane, Limpopo)
22 July – House 22 ( Sunnyside, Pretoria)
23 July – Sochilla (Ekangala, Bronkhostpruit, Mpumalanga)
29 July – City Jive (Rusternburg – North West)
30 July – Taliban (Garankuwa – North West)
The Tour will feature: Bricks, Brown Dash, Mr Selwyn, Mono T, Stoan, Speedy, Thebe and many more.
BIO:
Spikiri started his career as a dancer in 1985, under the tutelage of South African musician Sello “Chicco” Twala. He later formed a disco group called MM De Luxe with friend M’du Masilela in 1988.
He is also a founder member and co-director of the influential record label Kalawa Jazzmee, which has released many well-known kwaito artists, including Boom Shaka, Bongo Muffin, Alaska, B.O.P (Brothers of Peace), and Thebe. Currently he sits on the board of directors at Kalawa Jazmee Recording company and is also one of the master minds in the DCC (Dangerous Combination Crew) the production team of the company. His recent contributions include successful records by Brothers of Peace, Thebe, Bongo Maffin, Alaska, Mafikizolo, Jakarumba, MaWillies and Tokollo and Kabelo’ solo projects. Most recently, he was one of the award winning Mafikizolo and Kabelo’ producers. Mandla ‘Spikiri’s diverse music talents can be witnessed in projects in which he has worked with artists from other music genres, these include Don Laka, Moses Molelekwa, Bra Hugh Masikela, Vicky Vilakazi and Hashi Elimhlophe.
Together with Arthur Mafokate, Oscar Mdlongwa and M’du Masilela, Mandla is credited as a pioneer of the kwaito music genre, which emerged in the early 90’s after the collapse of apartheid. Under the moniker King Don Father Mandla has released several solo albums: King Don Father 2002(the first kwaito double CD), King Don Fire (Chalibaba), King Don Father (Spikiri), King Don Father (The Best of), and others. He has also produced songs for other kwaito artists. He wrote the signature tune of the popular soapie Generations. Even though Mandla “Spikiri” and his group Trompies are regarded as major exponents of the kwaito genre they have yet to win an award in South Africa.
