“We strongly believe that with us, Zakes will play a major role in further evolving & growing the South African music industry,” says Sony Music Africa CEO, Sean Watson.

“I’m excited to work with Sony Music’s artist roster,” says Bantwini, “as well as sign & develop new artist careers that matter to our country, continent and the world.”

Music mogul Zakhele Madida, stage name Zakes Bantwini, is best known as the man who discovered Kwaito sensation L'vovo Derrango. But his achievements stretch far beyond signing new talent. With multiple albums under his belt, the first live House DVD in South Africa, as well as scooping winner of the Best Male Award at the 10th Metro Music Awards in 2011 and winner of the Most Gifted Video of the Year Artist at the Channel O Awards in 2011, Bantwini is an extraordinary music force.

As a former stage performer, he fell in love with music from a young age and started his career playing the piano while studying towards his Diploma in Jazz and Popular Music at the Natal Technikon (now Durban University of Technology). He subsequently also completed his degree in Jazz and Popular Music at the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal during 2012. He identified the value of being an all-round musician, able to manipulate his skills into different genres, and Jazz provided the ideal foundation.

Bantwini formed independent record label Mayonie Productions during his final year of studying towards his Diploma – seen as a brave move in the industry at the time. Adamant to avoid being another musician whose fate lay in the hands of a record company, he decided to form his own business focused on signing new talent and negotiating on their behalf. This business venture led to the discovery of L’vovo.

His devoted passion for the industry in addition led him to discover Durban Kwaito Music (DKM), a genre which finds a perfect balance between house beats and kwaito lyrics, providing a cross-over appeal, but staying true to the kwaito feel. The introduction of DKM has opened the industry up for new up-and-coming musicians to make their mark.

Teaming up with top producer and close friend, DJ Black Coffee, Bantwini’s most successful album to date, Love, Light and Music is a collaborative effort, following the success of JUJU. The album has exploded his career both locally and internationally, presenting opportunities for performances in Africa, Europe and Asia.

Zakes Bantwini and Sony Music Africa have jointly released his recent Upfront With Zakes Bantwini live project and a new studio multiple award nominated album The Fake Book and Real Book: My Music Bible.