Born To Kwaito presents a candid profile of Mapaputsi in an interview with the artist.
Kwaito legend Mapaputsi will be buried this weekend and a memorial service will take place at Aitu Shopping Centre, Machava Drive, Mofolo, Soweto on Thursday.
The artist, whose real name was Sandile “Mapaputsi” Ngwenya, passed away on September 5th.
talk The CitizenArthur Mafokate said Mapaputsi would always be remembered as a “happy, jokey person”.
Mapaputsi's words
In 2016, Esinako Ndabeni and Siile Mthembu published the following books through Blackbird Books: Born in Kwaito.
The book is an insightful read into the kwaito genre and talks about some of the genre's key contributors, including Mandla Spikiri and Lance Stehle.
One of the most interesting chapters is dedicated to Mapaputsi. Mapaputsi makes it even darker.
In it, Mthembu engages in a candid conversation with the late kwaito artist.
Below are some excerpts from our conversation in which Mapaputsi spoke about his personality and music career.
Related article: Kwaito pioneer Mapaputsi dies after battle with illness
Love of music
Mapaputsi got his break in gospel music in the early 1990s, beginning his career when he was commissioned to write and record for Rebecca Malope and Pure Magic.
He contributed to Malope's hit SomlandelaHis voice can be heard along with the backing singers in the chorus.
“I didn't start kwaito because I was passionate about music. I love to spread messages through music and song and that showed when I started kwaito because a lot of the kwaito music I made was very harmonious,” he told Mthembu.
Like many other South African music superstars of the 2000s, Mapaputsi struggled to maintain a relationship with his fans for a variety of reasons.
“The industry has changed so quickly that with the music I'm making now, I'm not in a rush to make an album, I'm just thinking about singles. Making albums is really fun but it's a shame because they're almost worthless now,” he said, reflecting on the music industry back then.
Also read: Mapaputsi thinks showbiz is like kindergarten
On the brink of arrest
In 2003, during the South African Music Awards (SAMA), Mapaputsi was nearly arrested for suspected marijuana use.
“It was nothing, I was just surprised the papers made a big deal out of it because I continued performing afterwards. I was pretty high, but I still remember it well.”
The kwaito artiste liked to smoke joints and cigarettes, and in a recent video in which he denied allegations of ill health, he can be seen smoking what appears to be a joint.
Singer Mapaptsi denies rumors of deteriorating healthTimes Live pic.twitter.com/qijZaUS6id
— Innocentia Nkadimeng (@inno_nkadimeng) August 13, 2024
in Born in Kwaito Mapaputsi said he picked up the habit during his childhood growing up in Zola, Soweto.
“I've always been someone who was influenced. When we were growing up, everyone smoked and there were cigarette ads. It's the same with music. I always say I didn't rely on music, music came to me.”
Also read: Mapaputsi is now chef at Kalawa Jazmee
Love for dogs
One of Mapaputsi's best-known songs is Ijinja It means “dogs” and the title was a sort of ode to the creatures he loved.
“I don't think animals are as cruel as humans. The way humans hurt each other sometimes goes too far. Dogs are fine and don't ask for much as long as you keep them happy,” he said.
His love for animals led him to serve as an ambassador for the anti-animal cruelty movement.
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Thinker
The groovy hit isn't just about dogs, Mapaputsi said the song has a deeper meaning.
“It's not just about dogs barking, it's also about freedom, about a time when we had the right to vote, when we could express ourselves, and when nothing held us back,” declared the artist, who also admired the work of Mark Twain.
“The dogs were outside and anyone who tried to stop us will regret it.”
The song earned Mapaputsi the awards for Best Kwaito Artiste and Best Kwaito Song at the 2002 Metro FM Awards.
“I think people were interested in this record because it was very musical but still had that street energy. It didn't feel forced at all,” he said of the songs.
Related article: James Earl Jones, voice of Darth Vader and Mufasa, dies at age 93
“Nobody can say that Mapaputsi did this or that to me. I can go anywhere with confidence and I am proud of the fact that I am respected because of it,” he said.
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