MeZZo

About MeZZo

Classical Soul and R&B sounds were MeZZo's daily bread in his formative years in the 70s in his hometown, Breidbach, outside King William's Town..
But in the late 70s his musical outlook was altered forever when legendary playwright Gibson Kente brought his heart-rending play, 'How Long' to MeZZo's primary school.
Their deep African vocal rendition of 'Psalm 23' had a lasting impact on him and those influences are still evident in his own compositions such as 'I'm Missing Home' (Khumbul'ekhaya' (expired link), Ungo Wam (You're Mine) (expired link) and a tribute to three SA greats - Jabu Khanyile, Nana 'Coyote' Motijoane and Busi Mhlongo - titled 'From Us 2 U'.
A 16-track album, 'No Color', and two EPs -- 'Ungo Wam' and 'Children of Hope' -- later and MeZZo's music is soaring on the radio airwaves -- especially his hipswinging track, Children of Hope (expired link)
As a former student activist and award-winning journalist, humanitarian issues are also close to his heart. That's why he penned 'Let Humanity Reign' (expired link) at the height of the xenophobic attacks last year.
This song is not only a plea, and clarion call, against acts of xenophobia and racism in SA and elsewhere in the world, it also speaks to other humanitarian ills, like the European migration crisis... and now the upheavals in our neighbouring state, Zimbabwe.
MeZZo firmly believes that between the heady worlds of hip hop, on the one hand, and the budding Afrikaans market on the other, there's a huge untapped and under-serviced market consisting of established music lovers with huge disposable income and credit cards who's crying out for the MeZZo-type of music.
Through the esteemed online radio platform, Radio Airplay, and now Zone Radio, his thought-provoking, yet footstomping music, found pride of place in far-away places such as Israel, Phillipines, Ghana, Nigeria, vast parts of the USA, Europe, and Australia (see links to Stats below).
Since 2012 this journalist by profession transformed into a lyricist of note..
He first honed his vocal prowess under the eagle-eyed music perfectionist, and musicologist-producer-arranger, singer, and now Idols mentor, RJ Benjamin.
In MeZZo's latest offering, 'Togetha As 1' (expired link) this accomplished lyricist roped in renowned producer, Jonathan Shaw, Lagos-born guitarist Akinwale 'AK' James, the horn section of the African Jazz Pioneers, and the young, dynamic a capella group Sounds of Tembisa to cook up a pot-pourri of Big Band sounds with mbaqanga guitar riffs... rounding it off with chilling strings, elegant harmonies and his smooth, trademark Soulful vocals.
On his 16-track album, 'No Color' he paints a dramatic musical picture rooted in lack, pain, rejection, struggle, oppression and self-destruction to recovery, restoration; rediscovery that ultimately blossoms into a life of bliss and serenity
MeZZo, with his mature yet incisive style of writing ... and diverse influences, coupled with an exemplary work ethic, is ready to take his place alongside Sony's esteemed stable of artists and writers.
Reviewer Dillon concurs and says:
'They don't call South Africa the Rainbow Nation for nothing... and MeZZo is as colourful as it gets.'