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IN HIS HEYDAY: Brown Dash performs with Mzekezeke at the Sandton Convention Centre.

 Most notably, Brown Dash had no special vocal prowess 

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• Kwaito star Brown Dash dies

BROWN Dash, born Simphiwe Mpamile, symbolised those youths that dreamt of stardom but had no distinct glamour appeal to make it.

He was inarticulate, unemployable and aimless.

But, he had one concealed, magical spark within him: to turn whatever he touched into gold.

It could be said that he "founded" TS Records as he spawned hit after hit for owners Thembinkos "TK" Nciza and DJ Sbu Leope, providing the credible foil for Mzekezeke's first hit, Sguqa Ngamadolo.

He then, miraculously provided their first gold disc sales, in excess of 25,000 units, for his debut album Puff 'n Pass in 2002.

But, as has become notoriously familiar with South African musicians, Brown Dash, 33, died poor.

Brown Dash ought to have been a millionaire, at least by 2005, after the release of his second successful album, Phansi Komthunzi Welanga.

It was this album that was to go down in kwaito history as a classic and it won the Best Kwaito Album of the Year (2005).

In 2007 Brown Dash left TS Records acrimoniously, asserting that he had discovered TS Records was cheating him.

Moreover, his royalties from publishing ought still to be earning him a decent income. Still, he died poor.

At the time of his death, he was living in a commune in Melville.

On face value there was nothing special about Brown Dash. Privately, he was reserved, retiring, preferring the background. Most notably, Brown Dash had no special vocal prowess.

Originating from Zola's dusty streets in Soweto, where he had been inspired by another kwaito music kingpin, Mandoza, particularly his youth anthem - Uzoy'thola Kanjani - Brown Dash was street-cred personified, and yet he didn't claim it.

What moved him was the kwaito sound of his suburban boys Mdu, Zola, Mandoza and Mapaputsi.

But he was not as flash. To him, the glare and glitter of stardom in media remained foreign.

Soon after his mild success but wild life, this seemingly wild, yet truly hopeless boy with no prospects of employment surprised many when he quietly married his sweetheart, Lunga.

For the record: Lunga died in May 2011, under mysterious circumstances.

It has been fitting that Brown Dash passed on after his penultimate performance at the 18th South African Music Awards at Sun City.

Brown Dash's last public performance, albeit in a private members only club, was at kwaito legend Mdu Masilela's 40th birthday at Davinci, Sandton.

While performing he did a sterling role performing with Mdu in songs that originally featured other artists.

Brown Dash and Mdu were joined by General, born Siphiwe Sibisi of Chiskop popularity, and they brought the house down.

He died at Chris Hani-Baragwanath Academic Hospital in Soweto on Wednesday. He leaves behind two sons, a daughter and mother.

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Wed May 22 11:43:33 SAST 2013 ::

May 11, 2012

MorenaWaPolelo

I listened to some of his tracks maabane I must say the man was talented, I sincerly hope that TS did not cheat him of millions. If they did may God punish them before they do the same that farm girl Zahara!!!
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May 11, 2012

uMnuz

R.I.P ... its always the talented ones!
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May 11, 2012

mhangani

I thought cheating was at MOPANI SE FET COLLEGE, hey a word of advice dont send your child there as long as that CEO is stilL there, Brown dash dont worry God will punish all those who become rich because of your hardwork and you got nothing
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May 11, 2012

uMnuz

What on earth is happening???? Seems we are losing lots of our musician. How many more???

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May 11, 2012

Almy

DJ Breezy played an awesome mix of his songs last night on Metro FM.....this guy was talented...RIP Browdash!!!
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May 11, 2012

Vhamsanda

"Phanz'kothumzi welanga" will remain best song by Dash and I will still play it loud in my car.
RIP Dash.
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May 11, 2012

SEFUDU

@mhangani.i've heard stories about that college.you are refering to the one in phalaborwa next to caltex garage,aren't you?
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May 11, 2012

SKIZOBANTWANA

Sithi back 2 kasi.. bathi back 2 kasi.. *singing*

Les'gubhu siy'ngJova .. sing'khumbuz' uNomalizo.. bathi yena uNomalizo
NeSkeem sakhe siyang'Jova .. do do dooo doooo *singing*




iSOSHAaaaaaaaaa
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May 11, 2012

kadotch

enough with this brown dash kaak, tlogelang ngwana o mong a swe ka tshokolo!
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May 11, 2012

Iwe

I hope that mentally ill " mgqumeni guy" does not claim that he is Brown Daah now.
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