Seasoned musician Ishmael Morabe has crawled back to Arthur Mafokate's 999 Music to resurrect his career after his efforts to go at it alone flopped.

Yesterday the veteran musician confirmed that he had approached Mafokate for a deal and was now signed to the record label. He left the stable more than a decade ago.

Morabe said he never cut off ties with 999 Music and its boss often called him for gigs.

"I was trying to do my own independent thing but working by myself turned out to be harder than I thought it would be. It was like almost taking me back, like I was a demo artist and starting from scratch. I needed a lot of money too. It was killing the brand and all that was needed was something that would grow it. All that I needed was backing."

Morabe said going back to Mafokate was right for his growth as the stable would offer him a marketing mechanism, recording, financial and artistic support.

Asked if he had a say in the direction his brand was headed, he said: "We are a unit. We meet every Monday to determine what we will do that week. It's an open process."

He would not reveal the contents of his contract any further.

Mafokate said he didn't question Morabe's return. "I am excited to have him back because he is a hit maker, I am the type of person that will let a person go if they want to go. To me it did not really matter."

Morabe's new music comprises influence of the urban club persuasion, Nigerian highlife, house music, kwaito and gospel.

"In life, when you are in the right space with the right people, it is not easy to be destructed. Light chases away darkness. That is what the song Ukukhanya is about and that is what I have learnt in life."

The veteran's new role is to "bring back the legacy" of 999 Music according to the newly appointed chief operations officer of the stable, Nyiko Bilankulu.

Morabe is also part of a group alongside three youngsters with different musical talents called First Class, and the aim is to have him "coach" them before they are independently launched as solo acts.

"The point is to mix the new with the old to take the stable to another level and develop new acts through him," said Bilankulu.

Morabe has rejoined forces with the man who produced his runaway hit Roba Letheka, Techno-P, and with long serving producer Wash. They have recorded over 50 songs, and will have to select 15 for his album due to be released in March.

mashotol@sowetan.co.za