Music maestro ‘always knew engineering was not his tune’ Lindelani Mkhize

Revered music producer, music executive and businessman Lindelani Mkhize, who will be honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award during the 27th edition of South African Music Awards (Samas) tonight is a true music titan.

Born in Umlazi, south-west of Durban, Mkhize, who has been in the music business for 44 years, is lauded by the industry for his immense contribution to development of the industry, growing talent and reviving some of the South African genres. In his quest to advance the industry, Mkhize created music stars, nurtured and unearthed many hidden gems in the music industry.

The 55-year-old also played a major role in rebranding and restructuring the country’s music recording companies.

When the music legend accepts his third Lifetime Achievement Award during the Samas, he will be reminded of a journey that started small and expanded into other passions over the years.

The father of four got his first Lifetime Achievement Award bestowed on him in 2006 by Metro Music Awards. In 2015, Crown Gospel Music Awards also acknowledged his role in the music industry with the same award.

As he chatted to SowetanLIVE about his music journey and businesses, the music maestro oozed nothing, but wisdom.

“I have to be honest, I was not expecting it since I’m not an artist. I’m a behind-the-scenes person. It is quite exciting and encouraging to receive such an award. This award means that someone has been watching what I’ve been doing. Moving forward, I want to continue discovering raw talent and turn it into gold.”

From a young age Mkhize knew where his fate lied, but his parents, especially his mother, a former schoolteacher, wanted him to be an engineer. As a result, Mkhize enrolled for a chemical engineering course at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. He dumped the course in his second year and joined the music class.

His mother, who hated music with a passion got a shock of her life on the graduation day when her son graduated in music and not engineering. His brother, Dr Sthembiso Mkhize, had safely guarded the secret until he finished his studies.

“I knew that I wanted to be in the music industry when I joined a gospel group in KwaMashu. I played drums for the band. It was then that I realised that I was good behind the scenes not in front. I noticed that I had passion in helping people understand their voices and how to present themselves on stage.”

After completing his degree, Mkhize landed his first professional job in the production of Wagner Lohengrin at Durban Playhouse. After turning 21, Mkhize was brought to Johannesburg by Sello “Chicco” Twala, who wanted to work with him. While working with Twala, he was headhunted by PolyGram Music Records, which later became Universal Music, to do promotions for their artists. He helped promote artists such as Yvonne Chaka Chaka, William Mthethwa, Pat Shange and Lazarus Kgagudi. Mkhize quickly climbed the ladder and became the company’s brand manager.

He was moved to the Artist and Repertoire (A&R) department and became a general manager. As general manager, he was responsible for sourcing talent and signing it, something he enjoyed most. He signed artists like Joe Nina and Woza Africa. Mkhize was able to convince Sony Music International to open a branch in SA, which is how Sony Music SA was born.

“We started the company from scratch, hired staff and signed artists. I picked up that other genres like jazz were dying and being sidelined. Recording labels were not signing any jazz musicians and radio stations were not playing the music. I’m the one who signed and recorded the late Dr Sibongile Khumalo and Don Laka.

“She became the first jazz artist to achieve gold in SA. I spoke to Bra Hugh, who had just released an album that was not doing well. I convinced him to re-release his old music and give it a new feel. He agreed and he began selling 300 000 copies out of nowhere.”

After rescuing jazz sound from the doldrums, Mkhize realised that the Afro-pop and Afro-soul sound was missing in the local music industry. Sony introduced the trio group Malaika, which comprised Tshedi Mholo, Bongani Ntshang and the late Jabu Ndaba.

Sony, which was also responsible for the rebranding of Kalawa Jazmee, convinced the stable that had signed Bongo Maffin and Mafikizolo, among others, to move Afro-soul and Afro-pop. With no time, SA market was booming with Afro-pop and Afro-soul sound.

Mkhize also contributed to reviving traditional gospel sound and signed a couple of great artists under Sony Music, who included Jabu Hlongwane and Benjamin Dube. Seeing a gap in the gospel music industry, the three friends — Hlongwane, Mthunzi Namba and Mkhize — founded Family Factory.

“The three of us decided to come up with a project where we would develop and mentor young singers who wanted to pursue music. We went to different churches and presented our ideas. They liked the idea. To launch Joyous Celebration, they used new faces and Family Factory members.”

When the music genius felt he had explored everything, Mkhize founded Lindelani Mkhize Entertainment (LME) that signed great talent.

Just when he was enjoying being a boss of his own, Universal Music approached him to assist in restructuring and reviving the company.

“I took the offer and took a break at LME and focused on Universal. The restructuring took two years and I left after that. I had started LME because I felt that I had reached a ceiling. There was nothing I had not done in the industry. I wanted to start my own thing and grow my empire.”

Mkhize turned LME into Contento Group, a company that has different companies under it, including media and entertainment, an engineering company, restaurant and a consulting development wing. — Sowetan.

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