Malatji puts Limpopo on the map
Among the awards this talented artist has been nominated for are a Sama with his album, The First Prince, and the Metro FM Awards where he competed against some of the best in the music industry.
POLOKWANE – Having shared the stage with the likes of Ringo, Lira, Sibongile Khumalo, Kirk Whalum, Letta Mbuli and George Benson, Malatji is set to develop the music industry in Limpopo.
“Music has always been my passion as I grew up in a musical family. Aside from the hand my parents had in developing my passion, I was also inspired by my uncle’s kwasa-kwasa band and traditional folk songs sung by my grandmother MmaNgwako. I find solace in music,” he said.
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Over the past decade while honing his songwriting, Malatji played for various bands including his own called Labantu, which he formed with his brother Moses and Malawian saxophonist, Nixon Mtiyesanji. Labantu released two albums under jazz legend, Don Laka and in 2003 Malatji met renowned jazz musician, Selaelo Selota.
“For me, simplicity is a talent on its own and when I had the chance to perform for Selaelo during a band competition, I focused on that,” Malatji recalled.
Malatji is also the producer of Winnie Mashaba’s award winning album, Go Tseba Jehova, which won in the best male category at the 2010 Crown Gospel Awards.
Judith Sephuma and DJ Mzee are some of the musicians he has collaborated with in the past. He said his second solo album, The Royal Offering, featuring the legendary Steve Kekana, aims to offer nothing but royalty music to his supporters. The album was nominated for the Limpopo Music Awards.
The new album’s first single, Mochakata, has become a favourite at music festivals and was inspired by the Modjadji royal welcome song.
In true royalty form, Malatji holds court in this album to all issues that plague the human spirit and lends a hand in building the community on issues ranging from relationships, parent-child dynamics and the strengthening of family bonds because as a husband and father, family is important to him.
The new album is a royal feast to all African jazz music lovers.
He recently joined forces with other musicians working on a campaign against gender-based violence.
This group of musicians go by the name Men United and composed a song condemning violence against women and children. The proceeds of this song will go to charities that look after victims of abuse.
He also plans to start the Jazz In the Yard festival in Bolobedu on 24 December in celebration of his daughter’s 21st birthday alongside legendary and aspiring jazz musicians.
He is set to perform at the annual Balobedu Get Together festival on 26 December.
