Artist Bio:
DJ Mbuso began his DJ career back in 1996 while studying computer system's at Vaal Technikon. He quietly developed his skill and searched Gauteng for the hottest music.
He started making mix tapes and together with his brother started one of the biggest annual parties in Soweto.
In 1997 he freelanced for various clubs and promoters until securing a residency at Stage nightclub, the most happening club of its time.
Winning the Camel Vinyl Experience Meltdown in 1999 jumpstarted him into the South African DJ scene. Early 1999 Mbuso was tracked down by local promoter Brendan Scalen and soon became resident for him at his Lilo Productions events. Early 2000 he was given the prime weekend dance slot on Y-FM (Saturday's 8-10). To date, this has been the show featuring the most international DJ's on South African radio.
He has since featured at various clubs — Enigma, Rock n' Roll, Calabash, Chaos, Carnalita, Soul Café, Voodoo Lounge, Hype, Intersection, LimeLite, X4, Truth, Baraza, Reality, Club More, 169, Transit Café, Liquid Lounge, Sublime, Amazon, Therapy, 115, Café Vogue, Carrfax. The list goes on and on.
However, Mbuso's talent has taken him over the lines into the scene making him the biggest crossover DJ in the country. From JHB to Cape Town and everywhere between, Mbuso has been there and rocked the masses.
He has played some of the biggest bashes such as Y bashes, Mother raves, Ice raves Smirnoff Experience, Ministry of Sound, etc…
In addition to covering the country with his superb sets he is one of our most travelled DJ's, playing gigs from The Rex & The Wag in Paris to Babushka in London. Mbuso has played alongside the cream of local DJ's including Vinny da Vinci, Christos, Fresh, Glen Lewis, Oscar, Ganyani, Bad Boy T, Ready D, Phat Joe, Stuart H, G-Force… and international's Little Louie Vega, E-man, Franck Roger, Charles Webster, Andrew Riley, Jef K , Justin Deighton, Cyril K, Murray Richardson, Dave Rowe, Pete Tong, Phat Phil Cooper, DJ Fex, Fresh and Low — another list that goes on and on.
According to him one of the highlights of his career was in 2002 when he opened the stage for Jamiroquai in Johannesburg.
In 1999 Mbuso started working at Sugartrax (vinyl store) and worked there until early 2001 when he teamed up with his current partner Harael. Mid-2001 they bought the store and converted it into their own dance brand — SoulCandi. Currently situated in Rosebank, SoulCandi has rapidly grown to become one of South Africa's leading vinyl importers. As well as their local "Soulcandi Records" label, they have started a new record labe — "Phezulu Records" — which is managed from New York and is to be used as a platform to build local artists in the international market.
Mbuso's first compilation, Urban House Mix, was released in 1999 with Sony music and then followed-up in 2000 with Urban House Mix 2. Both compilations were given wide support in the market. In 2003 things really started heating up for Mbuso.
SoulCandi Session 1 was released with huge success. The album went gold in a matter of weeks. He was then awarded the 2003 Duku Duku award for Best Club DJ.
SoulCandi Session 1 has been nominated for the "Best Compilation Category" in the 2003 Metro FM Music Awards and the video for the album has been nominated "Best African Dance Video" in the 2003 Channel O Music Awards. —Courtesy Calabash Music
