He has been making hits for as long as he can remember. Even when kwaito lost a bit of it's shine, he made the music hits anyway.
He loved the genre that much. After all, he is one of the pioneers of Kwaito in South Africa.
We chat to Kalawa Jazmee record label owner Oskido, real name Oscar Mdlongwa. He tells Drum that the evolution of music is beautiful to watch and to still be part of.
“Kwaito is the foundation for this,” he tells us.
The debate about the legitimacy of amapiano has died down and its unique sound is being embraced.
Although he is from the old school, Oskido says he has never had a problem with the fresh sound.
“I have always said that for me, amapiano is kwaito. It has transformed with other generations coming to appreciate kwaito. That is the only difference, it being consumed by a different generation who have given it a facelift,” he says.
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The musical maestro has just released an EP titled Back to the Future and he experiments with the amapiano sound.
On one of the songs, Banky Banky, he features Nigerian vocalist Niniola. It is a banger, Oskido says.
But is it his favourite song on the EP?
“It is like you asking who is your favourite child ? But well, I like Back to the Future, a more kwaito song, taking us back to where it all started,” Oskido says.
On this one, he features Spikiri, Professor and Lady Du who is known for effortlessly jumping on any piano beat.
Because he moves with the times, Oskido has maintained longevity.
“As an artist, you need the have the ability to change. I work with a lot of young ones, they are doing different things, it is also good for one to learn from them and them, from you,” he adds.
Kalawa Jazmee has been a home for a lot of musicians who have done exceptionally well in the industry. Mafikizolo, Bongo Maffin, DJ Zinhle, Trompies, Zonke and DJ Maphorisa, Busiswah and many others come from there.
He has mentored and still mentors new artists. This, he says, is makes what he does so fulfilling.
Oskido says he dreads the thought of his success being measured by the number of cars he has but instead, he wants it be about the number of people he has helped.
“I believe God brought us in this life for a purpose. So, when He gives you an opportunity to be able to help other people, use that opportunity to do so. It creates happiness within me.
“You can be a billionaire and not be happy. For me, if I pick up a person from the street, who is doing nothing and they become big, they are able to feed their families it makes my soul happy. That is how I look at life,” he says.
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Because of his wealth of experience and success in the industry, he gets asked a lot of questions but there is one common one.
“How do I handle fame?” they ask.
“I tell them that they need to be level headed and humble and on their way up, they should not forget those who helped them to get to where they are.
“Things must not be centred around you, you are not a God. Having the fame, does not mean you must expect people to glorify you, no matter how big you become. That is when things will start going wrong and making mistakes that will cost you,” Oskido shares.
Oskido has diversified. He has a restaurant in Waterfall, DarumaByOskido and Oskido Luxury Apartments.
But most his time is still spent in studio doing what he loves most. This is not going to change even though there people who have asked him when is he quitting and retiring.
“Mam ‘Miriam Makeba died on stage performing, Bra Hugh Masekela was still blowing his trumpet at almost 80. Who the hell is Oskido to quit? I breathe and live music 24/7 hours a day, music is my life.
“I am finishing up my album which I am going to release a the end of the year,” he adds.
