World-class producer specialising in afro-electronica Mpho Pholo (39), well known as 37mph, shared how he became an award-winning music producer.
Mpho is the music director and composer for the first BET Telenovela Isono, which premieres on July 27.
The artist also produced two songs on the soundtrack of South African hit movie Tsotsi alongside other music producers.
He has worked in many other popular African productions.
He described himself as a creative and passionate father to his daughter, Simphiwe.
The music enthusiast started producing professionally in 2003 when he had his first song on radio.
“I unofficially started producing in 1995.
“What makes it fulfilling is the moments spent in the studio, speaking to collaborators, listening to what they have to say and building connections during the process of producing,” said Mpho.
Producing allows him to see other parts of the world.
“This affirms that speaking the musical language can take you places.”
Mpho released his first demo during his high school days
.”I was a bit of an enigma because no one had the technology to produce at home back then.
“Professionally, he said his first productions made room for him in the industry because people never expected the sound.
“My first song was A Wonderful World by the late rapper Mizchif.
“That release alone exposed my work and I got attention from the music industry at the time.”
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When the two songs for Tsotsi were produced, Mpho said he had been working with Bongani Fassie, Ishmael, Da LES, Crazy Lu and their label manager on creating a new sound which later became the sound for the group Jozi.
“My label manager at the time asked me to submit a song I had written titled All in the Name of Fun, which also earned a place on the film’s soundtrack,” said the producer.
In retrospect, Mpho thought he was at the right place at the right time.
“The importance of this only made sense a few years later when I was booked to play at the WorldWide Music Festival in the South of France in 2009.
“My lesson from this is to keep my head low, keep working on the craft.
“The opportunities always show up when you are working and you will be prepared to seize them,” he said.
Mpho was born in East London in the Eastern Cape.
“I grew up in Phakamisa, a township outside King William’s Town, and moved to King William’s Town in 1991 when my parents bought a house there.”
Before his teenage years, the producer’s brother, Xolani, influenced him with his love for rap music and slow jams.
Mpho studied music at Dale College Boys’ High School in King William’s Town, which he said was amazing.
“It is where I honed my piano skills, sorted out my theory, ear training, got to rap and be creative and be known for recording music.”
Mpho was a solo pianist, sang in the school choir, played trumpet in the cadet band and even acted in the school play Grease alongside Ndumiso Lindi, who was one year his junior at the time.
“The cool thing about studying music in a boys’ school, especially our school, was that when one got to a good grade of music they could lead assembly and accompany the choir, so I did all of them.”
He also played keyboard at his church.
During his varsity days, Mpho got involved with electronic music in Cape Town.
“Being involved in the electronic music scene was quite a surprise to me because I had left music behind after matric and focused on engineering studies at the University of Cape Town (UCT).”
A friend introduced Mpho to electronic music production because he had a computer.
“This got back to music. I experimented with computer music and songs I had written in high school.”
He started to pursue DJing and radio presenting at UCT Radio.
“I think the combination of being known on campus as the guy who liked music and the platform the campus station gave me got me opportunities to become a brand name.
“I branded myself 37mph so that my parents wouldn’t find out I did music.”
In 2011, Mpho received the Best Alternative Music African award at the South African Music Awards (Samas) and in 2012 he won the Producer of the Year award at the South African Hip-Hop Awards.
“Before these awards, I had produced Ishmael’s Sama award-winning R&B album in 2006, and a Gold Loerie for Best Music in 2007.
“These didn’t feel like they belonged to me even though I could claim them as mine.
“The night I received the Sama in 2011 I didn’t even dress up to receive anything because the album felt like a project I had just done with my friend in my parent’s house in King William’s Town.
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“When they announced that Nomisupasta had won the award it was a feeling of surprise, pride, shock, excitement, acknowledgement all the same time. It felt great,” said Mpho.
“Winning Producer of the Year also felt like a prank. I remember placing an R100 bet with another producer who was nominated that he’d win.
“When my name was called I was shocked and thanked God and my manager in France and my software manufacturer sponsorship at the time. It felt surreal.
“On the same night, the song I co-wrote and produced, Do It Like I Can by Reason, took Song of The Year at the South African Hip-Hop Awards.”
Mpho spoke about other highlights of his career.
“I consider every project I’ve worked on a highlight because they have all gotten me to where I am.
“My role as musical director for Coke Studio Africa from 2016 to 2017 in Kenya taught me so much about producing, directing, television and project management on a huge scale.
“The show is the biggest music television platform which broadcasts in 41 territories around the continent of Africa and exposed me to work with the top artists in the continent.
“Software company Native Instruments recently ran a remix challenge for my latest release called Closer, featuring Nigerian singer Praiz.
“It’s quite a highlight because of the size and reach of that company globally and that it has given 37mph a chance to be recognised by other top producers and entry-level producers that have been given my music to remix and submit.
“The response so far has been quite overwhelming.”
The remix challenge closed on June 16.
He said another highlight is his current position as music director/producer for Isono.
“Isono will start airing Monday to Friday from July 27.
“These are the two projects out of six that I am allowed to mention,” said Mpho.
In future, he said he would like to live and work anywhere in the world as a person of influence to empower other producers and writers from Africa, especially South Africa.
“I have a shortlist of top artists I’d like to work with in future.”
Currently, Mpho has a YouTube channel titled Kicks & Snares, a quirky show about the creation of music.
“It is filled with little nuggets about the artists I work with, the production process, profiling trendy trainers and hip fashion, all in under eight minutes per episode.”
His message to other music producers during lockdown is to not feel pressured to always post or be on Instagram Live.
“Your biggest asset as a producer is to work on your ideas, develop them and make connections when the time is right.
“Use this quiet time wisely and don’t get caught in the hype. Music producers flourish in solitude,” he said.
He added they should take good care of their bodies and minds.
Having lived in Edenvale for most of his time in Gauteng, he said he loves the Vale because it is quiet, safe and has a close-knit community feel.
“I’ve visited other neighbourhoods, especially in the northern suburbs, but they seem to lack the balance of far enough but close to the action.
“The Edenglen and Greenstone areas seem too far for random visitors, but yet a quick 20 minutes from Sandton, church and other activities.
“I also enjoy that there is a huge running community and the outdoor sports scene seems safe here.
“He added he loves the Edenglen Pick n Pay, Rocomamas Stoneridge, Mugg & Bean Greenstone, Flamingo and Green Valley chopping centres.
“Other places I visited frequently before lockdown was Kota Joe on Van Riebeeck. Their calamari kota is something you could write to your friends about and the vibe is quite cool.”
Another cool spot Mpho said he frequents is Bolshoi Cafe in Greenstone.
“They have a great collection of DJs who play amapiano, hip-hop and Afrobeat for a good night of dancing to loud music without having to drive to the north for a good time.
“Due to lockdown, producers haven’t been able to create big shows.
“The last show I produced and music directed was The Mzansi Viewer’s Choice Awards.
“We haven’t been able to be in big crowds since then.”
Besides that, he said lockdown has been great in getting him and his daughter to bond, make music together and read books together.
“We even exercise together now.
“It’s a pity I can’t see my friends, but we have Zoom and WhatsApp calls. What’s important is that the most important person in my life is with me and that we are still in good health.”
Mpho shared a message to parents who have children who love music.
“Dear parents of budding music professionals, please encourage your child to play their instrument, be a good socialite, play sports and enjoy sitting in a room alone for hours.
“The music business is extremely tough. Your child should be exposed to a good attorney and other music professionals so they understand what they’re getting into.”
He added the music business is not as glamorous as people make it out to be.
“It is a lot of hard work behind the scenes, but with a good strategy and good support systems, the world becomes their playground.”
Mpho’s five top tips to succeed in music composing:
1. Play at least one instrument.
2. Learn music theory.
3. Listen to a lot of music, and listen critically.
4. Learn to play as many digital audio workstations as possible, but master one.
5. Be a nerd at reading about music, the business and how to be a brand.
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