At the back of South African artists, Zakes Bantwini, Nomcebo Zikode, and Wouter Kellerman winning a Grammy award, South African talent continues to export music and art globally. Simphiwe Sihawu, 23, popularly known by his stage name, Mr Thela, is set to play in Seoul and Songtsn in South Korea this March. The DJ and Producer from Samora Machel, Phillipi, is gearing up for his first international gig after releasing his 1^st solo project ‘Tronics Land Series 1’ in November 2022.

We were first introduced to Mr Thela through his joint album MAKE CAPE TOWN GREAT AGAIN, released in 2020 during lockdown. The album became an instant hit with its new sound of Gqom gospel while keeping it in the Gqom genre which originated in KwaZulu Natal. The album’s lead track ‘iParty’ dominated airwaves and virtual house parties across the country, and even the streaming giant, Netflix, picked it up for production of the movie JIVA’s soundtrack. MAKE CAPE TOWN GREAT AGAIN was later certified platinum by the Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA) and was nominated for The Best Gqom Album at the South African Music Awards (SAMA) 2021. 

Speaking to us about this milestone, the DJ/Producer said, “I’m extremely excited about this gig. It will be my first time out of the country, let alone my first time playing internationally. It’s like a dream come true. Those that know me from where I come from, know that I’ve always told them that one day I will play internationally and now that is all coming true. Thank you to my team and management. I hope this is the first of many international gigs”.

The DJ/Producer’s sets have led to opportunities of working with the likes of DJ Tira, Babes Wodumo, Professor, Dlala Thukzin, Betusile Mcinga, Nobantu Vilakazi and the late Mampintsha amongst others.  Mr Thela will be playing in Seoul and Songtan.