King Monada is all the rage in Limpopo.
His latest hit, Ska Bhora Moreki, has propelled him into a league of dance music stars who have become revellers' favourites and a crowd puller at concerts.
The 23-year-old Khutso Steven Kgatle, born in Mokgoloboto village in Tzaneen, Limpopo, dropped out of school in Grade 8 after a tiff with one of the teachers.
He had already made up his mind that he would pursue music. The bug had bitten, largely thanks to his uncles who were in a band playing guitar and drums.
Monada reminisces: "I watched my uncles play and I taught myself how to play the instruments. So when their group collapsed as members went on to find jobs elsewhere, I continued to play."
The teenage Monada then met fellow villager Peter Ramaselela in 2005, who gave him a PC to make music. In no time he was playing at weddings, taverns and parties around Tzaneen.
He became something of a legend, thanks to his style of music, which was authentic and resonated with audiences in the area.
He met music executive Molao Rammala last year who convinced him to record his music, and some of the songs ended up on the demo Monna Waka. He recently released the single Ska Bhora Moreki as part of his album Molamo, which includes catchy songs such as Di Danunu and Ke Ya Bolecha.
Monada, who sings what he calls "local house" in Lobedu and Pedi, says he was inspired by the singing talents of stars such as the late Peter Teanet and Bojo Mujo plus his daily experiences.
The father of two boys has already performed at the DStv iRock Festival and universities of Venda and Limpopo.
"It excites [me] to see people on their feet when I get on stage. It's validation that I'm a bona fide South African artist. I'm becoming a big national star and not just a local musician," he says.
He will be performing in Durban next week and is looking forward to his first flight and seeing the beach for the first time.
mofokengl@sowetan.co.za
King Monada gets people moving on the dance floor
King Monada is all the rage in Limpopo.
His latest hit, Ska Bhora Moreki, has propelled him into a league of dance music stars who have become revellers' favourites and a crowd puller at concerts.
The 23-year-old Khutso Steven Kgatle, born in Mokgoloboto village in Tzaneen, Limpopo, dropped out of school in Grade 8 after a tiff with one of the teachers.
He had already made up his mind that he would pursue music. The bug had bitten, largely thanks to his uncles who were in a band playing guitar and drums.
Monada reminisces: "I watched my uncles play and I taught myself how to play the instruments. So when their group collapsed as members went on to find jobs elsewhere, I continued to play."
The teenage Monada then met fellow villager Peter Ramaselela in 2005, who gave him a PC to make music. In no time he was playing at weddings, taverns and parties around Tzaneen.
He became something of a legend, thanks to his style of music, which was authentic and resonated with audiences in the area.
He met music executive Molao Rammala last year who convinced him to record his music, and some of the songs ended up on the demo Monna Waka. He recently released the single Ska Bhora Moreki as part of his album Molamo, which includes catchy songs such as Di Danunu and Ke Ya Bolecha.
Monada, who sings what he calls "local house" in Lobedu and Pedi, says he was inspired by the singing talents of stars such as the late Peter Teanet and Bojo Mujo plus his daily experiences.
The father of two boys has already performed at the DStv iRock Festival and universities of Venda and Limpopo.
"It excites [me] to see people on their feet when I get on stage. It's validation that I'm a bona fide South African artist. I'm becoming a big national star and not just a local musician," he says.
He will be performing in Durban next week and is looking forward to his first flight and seeing the beach for the first time.
mofokengl@sowetan.co.za
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