After releasing the single “Sumah”, Turbo became known as the new black coffee.
By definition, a child prodigy is someone who is naturally talented at something and becomes a master of that particular skill as a child.
Thabo Mgomezulu, who goes by the stage name Thabo Da Poh, fits the definition of piano as he found his way to the piano at the age of seven.
“From an early age, Tabo has amazed us and his peers with his musical talent. At the age of 7, he taught himself to play John Legend on the piano without any guidance. That was the beginning of his musical career,” said Thabo da Po's mother, Andiswa Mgomezulu. citizen.
It's been 10 years since young Turbo played the keys for John Legend, and now he plays bass guitar, violin, and trumpet, as well as piano.
The Hilton University student recently released a seven-song album titled Suma.
His first single was the album's title song, a remake of a South African hymn. Ndihokere bawo.
The dance rendition of the gospel song led to comparisons to black coffee.
“I am honored to be compared to such a highly respected figure as Black Coffee. I feel that Black Coffee is setting the bar high for the global electronic/Afrotech music scene.” the 17-year-old, eager to explore new fields, declared. his own path.
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fame
The euphoria that comes with fame tends to be a huge distraction for most people, especially for the highly coveted impressionable young minds.
“As parents, we are cognizant of the fact that this will put too much attention and pressure on him. We will be monitoring the situation closely to provide him with guidance and support.” 's mother spoke and expressed her anxiety about Thabo's fame.
But this young artist doesn't seem to mind being famous. Rather, he is interested in the power to influence the masses through music.
“Fame doesn't scare me, but the idea of impacting people's lives through my music is a privilege for me and one I don't take lightly,” he said.
He respects Grammy Award winners Black Coffee and Zakes Bantwini for more than just the music they've created over the years.
“The positive image and authenticity with which they present themselves to the world is something you don’t often see in this industry these days. One of the artists I admire internationally is Kaytranada. , he's a producer and collaborates with big artists, so I'd love to do that someday,'' the 11th grade student said.
The emotions he feels from making music are not far from the emotions the world's biggest artists feel when creating hit songs.
“When I'm making music, I feel like everything around me disappears, I feel like I'm in a trance, and all I'm focused on is what I'm making in the studio at this moment. It’s just that.”
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in the genes
Like most artists, Turbo's artistic genes were inherited from his family members who came before him. According to his mother, Turbo's grandmother was a composer who held a major choral conducting competition in the Transkei at the time.
“Thabo's older sister started playing the piano from the age of 8 until graduation. They would sit together and bond over the piano, improvising and playing,” Andiswa said.
Turbo comes from a family of academics, so he hopes to pursue music and study after college.
“I have only just turned 17 years old, but I think I am finding my feet all over the world, expressing my opinion in the music scene, while also pursuing higher education. Because I come from a family of academics.”
His father, Professor Victor Mgomezulu, is a renowned radiologist and director of Gauteng's first interventional neuroradiology unit in the public sector, which he founded in 2010.
“I want to see him enjoy his final years of school and finish his school career, and hopefully continue his further studies while developing his musical talent,” his mother said.
Calm Musou is still an independent artist who is not bound by a label.
“It would be a great story to see Tubbs as an alumnus and musician.”
But outside of music and school, Turbo enjoys playing basketball.
“Basketball is my favorite sport and I love every moment on the court. When I play the game, I feel a rush of adrenaline. That’s why I pushed myself to be a part of it.”
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