After five years in the music industry, Butterworth-born DJ Benzo believes his debut single Mzimba Wonke is the breakthrough he has been waiting for.
Banele Sotomela, also known as DJ Benzo, released Mzimba Wonke , which featured popular actor and singer NaakMusiq, on digital platforms last week. Benzo’s five-year wait for a breakthrough in the industry should serve as a message to budding artists that nothing comes easy in life. The commercial house DJ said instead of taking over the family business, he had decided to be his own man and follow his dream.
“I grew up in a family that owned a construction company and I was expected to follow in my parents’ footsteps.
“However, I was not interested in that field. I told my parents that I want to do music. They [parents] were not exactly thrilled but they allowed me to follow my passion.
“I left Butterworth for East London with nothing but my passion for music and I was determined to make it,” he said.
But he found that breaking into the industry was easier said than done. However, he decided against quitting and polished his spinning the decks skills.
“I decided to learn how to deejay at a local deejay school to further grow my love and passion for music and that is how I became a DJ.
“I met NaakMusiq through events that I do. We clicked and exchanged numbers. He saw the passion I have for music and I asked to do a song with him, he agreed.
“We recorded this song actually in June but we decided to wait for the right time to release it,” he said.
“It is a dance song so it had to be released during the time of festivities.”
DJ Benzo said he will be performing alongside NaakMusiq at a number of festivals around the Eastern Cape this December to promote his new single.
NaakMusiq said Mzimba Wonke would get people on to the dance floor.
“Every time Benzo visits me I’m always in the studio. So we decided that next time he comes I’ll get one of the producers to cook something really awesome for him.
“We did that and I put my vocals down on the beat and the rest is history. The song turned out great,” the Mamelani hitmaker said.
“The song is amazing; the crowd response and support from fans has been awesome. This song is for all our Eastern Cape people. We wanted something proudly Eastern Cape and we have just that.”..