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| Bongo Maffin |
MULTI-AWARD winning South African kwaito music group - Bongo Maffin, have indicated that they will be releasing their last album as a group, before going separate ways.
Bongo Maffin, which comprises Zimbabwe born dreadlocked Adrian Anesu warmly known as Jah Seed, Stoan Seate, Thandiswa Mazwai and Speedy Matlhaku, was formed in Cape Town, South Africa in 1996.
The group shot to fame after releasing their first studio album, The Concerto in 1998, followed by Bongolution (2001) and New Construction (2005).
In an interview with Sunday Leisure, a member of the group — Stoan Seate, who was in attendance of the Gwanda Gospel Extravaganza, confirmed that they were scheduled to release one more album before going separate ways.
Seate said it was all according to fate that the group was disbanding. He, however, said there were "internal and external issues" that were affecting the group. Conditions, which he preferred not to talk about.
"We are still a group. Right now there are internal and external issues that are affecting the group. People and family will always part ways. We will only do one more album for our fans and the rest will be shows," he said.
Seate also said the group owed its success to their fans across the world.
Other members of the group, since releasing their last album in 2005 have been focusing on solo careers and perhaps this was a signal that all was not rosy at the Bongo Maffin camp.
"We owe our success as a group to the fans. They have been with us, supporting us all the way. For now, we will only be doing public shows," said Seate.
Although the group has not released an album for the past 10 years, they last performed together last year in South Africa.
"We did about two or three shows together last year. The time has not been right for us to perform together," said Seate.
Seate said he was retiring from music, after having a successful run of more than 20 years.
"I am turning 40 this year and I have decided to retire from music although I will not entirely leave the music industry. Most record labels are not doing enough to promote our music and I seek to do that for other musicians," he said.
According to South African reports the group has been involved in a series of in-house beef, suggesting that it was an inevitable phenomenon for the group to part ways.
With its unique sound and style, Bongo Maffin was seen as world ambassadors of kwaito, as they extensively held international tours.
The group has performed alongside international stars such as Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan, Skunk Anansie and Boys II Men.
They also performed at the Central Park Summer Stage Festival in America's golden apple - New York City in 2001.
Source - sundaynews
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