It’s #yomzansiFRIDAY and today we have DJ Merlon as our guest! We had a chat with Koze Kuse hitmaker about his journey in music plus his upcoming 2015 album. Here is the interview:
– For those who don’t know, who is DJ Merlon ?
DJ Merlon real name Sibusiso Mhlongo is a young boy from Durban South Africa. I was born at Umbumbulu, a mission under eThekwini Municipality; grew up at Sikhawini Township, Northern KwaZulu Natal.
– How long have you been in the music journey, has it always been your dream to be in this space?
I joined the professional music industry back in 2006; however, back then I was more active on the technical side of business as an artists manager, with my DJ brand growing parallel to that.
– You just made a huge mark with your hot single “Koze Kuse”, how did the song happen, where did all begin?
KOZE KUSE started as a freestyle, which something we sometimes do when playing along vocalist Mondli Ngcobo; seeing the reaction and success, we them decided to transform it to song.
– What inspired the the vibey and dance sound behind the song?
Well I’ll give that one to my fans; immediately after releasing the song, I began to receive positive comments about the new KOZE KUSE dance routine… we never came up with any dance but our fans.
– Did you expect the track to see such a big blow from radio airplays , clubs and parties?
Yes indeed I knew that this will be a big song but I didn’t know that it will be this big, taking No.1 and voted song of the year by almost every radio station on the 31 December 2014 in RSA… also I didn’t expect it to be the song that will take me a cross boarders, as it is I just came back from Botswana and in few weeks I’m going to UK.
– You released a 6-track album that I guess was inspired by the massive support you saw from the single, can we expect another release for you in 2015?
Yes in 2014 people demanded the song on a physical CD so after signing a deal with Universal Music we decided to compile an EP of six tracks which is available in all music stores; however, this year (2015) I’m due to release my full album.
– What can sound can we expect from the upcoming album, and any collaborations?
The sound remain the same except for that element of growth and continuous improvement… I’m still weighing my options on collaborations.
– You’ve also signed to Universal Music, how did it happen?
My signing with universal came immediately after the release of KOZE KUSE, they heard the song and did a research on my brand then later they approached me for a deal I couldn’t resist.
– Who would you say are some of the local artists who has contributed to your success in the music journey?
Mondli Ngocobo, Lvovo Derrango, BlackCoffee, Mizz, ZakesBANTWINI, Oskido, Professor, Mampintsha (BigNUZ)
– Local artists you would like to work with in your future music projects?
Thandiswa Mazwai, BlackCoffee and Professor
– Future plans from here?
All my focus is now on my next offering…
CONNECT WITH DJ MERLON
Facebook: DJ Merlon
Twitter: @djmerlon
Instagram: @djmerlon