Swazi Observer

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MELLOW, SLEAZY FOR BALCONY GROOVE SHOW

By Tanele Sihlongonyane | 2024-03-13

SOUTH Africa’s top amapiano musicians Mellow and Sleazy are billed for Millenium Park on March 28.

The renowned duo is set to headline a show dubbed ‘Balcony Groove’ alongside South Africa’s king of Amapiano Kabza De Small.

The show will be supported by local acts in the likes of Zulu D, Sbu De Drum DJ, Twenty II, The Bishops, Paris, Culolam, Fantacy, Maphi, Lady Zee and TK, who is set to be the host for the night. The announcement was made by Ocean Cuisines Project Manager Sungwe Chile. Known fondly as ‘the duo that never disappoints’, Mellow and Sleazy first piqued South Africa's interest in 2020, but saw their careers erupt towards the mainstream with the release of the platinum-streaming 'Bopha' alongside DJ Maphorisa and Young Stunna in late 2021, which dominated on charts for weeks on end. The release of 'Nkao Tempela' with Ch'cco in summer 2022 had the same impact, propelling them - along with their proudly South African Bacardi-driven sound - towards star-status.

Released

The more recently released track ‘Abo Mvelo’ with Daliwonga introduced many new fans in the US to amapiano for the first time, and the viral song ‘Bheba Bheba’ saw the duo continuing to dominate scenes and screens. Bacardi house saw its peak in 2008 as DJ Mujava and the late DJ Spoko brought the sound to new shores with 'Township Funk'; however Mellow and Sleazy continue to spearhead the sound's renaissance, putting their own spin on the tinny, jangly sonics wrapped in amapiano's kwaito-and-jazz infused reverberations.

Today they explore Angolan and Nigerian influences with that Bacardi spirit for a more "ancestral" sound in their aptly dubbed 'Midnight in Sunnyside' albums, emblematic of the neighbourhood where many African nationals live shoulder to shoulder in amapiano's epicentre of Pretoria.

With a crop of golden hair, Olebogeng ‘Sleazy’ Kwanaite is the more gregarious of the two, while the lanky Phemelo ‘Mellow’ Sefanyetse lives up to his name with a laid back attitude. However, the duo is unwavering in striking creative and personal balance behind the decks as well as in studio, as seen during their earth-shattering set at Primavera Sound.

They play with an ease that can only come from a shared understanding of each other's innate strengths and of the way their music can alter atmospheres and captivate crowds wherever they go. Chile said the night promised to be one like no other.

“Supporters should expect a fun-filled night with an electrifying performance from the one and only Kabza De Small, which will have them dancing from corner to corner with his hit tracks ‘Imithandazo’, ‘Amazwe’ and many more.

“Mellow and Sleazy will also ensure the crowd is on their toes all night long,” he said.

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