Kwaito sensation Mangesto unleashes sizzler

Kwaito sensation Mangesto unleashes sizzler

• VISIT: Mangesto's Leyza Music

• Mzekezeke: 'One more album and I'm out'

• DJ CLEO: My split with Mzekezeke

• EXCLUSIVE: Chimbetu interview

• EXCLUSIVE: Mzekezeke interview

• EXCLUSIVE: Mafikizolo interview

By Showbiz Reporter

IT'S a work of genius.

That's the best way to describe a new 11-track pumping album by the boy sensation Mangesto.

Mangesto, who just graduated with a Maths degree at Bolton University in Manchester, England, produced and wrote the songs on the album Ezami (My Own).

He told New Zimbabwe.com last night: "I have invested a lot of energy and effort on this, my first album. The title of the album is a message to everyone -- people should concentrate on what they do, and not what others are doing."

Mangesto, 23, real name Nkosana Mangena, is a former Hamilton and Mtshabezi High School boy, and grew up in Bulawayo's high density suburb of Luveve.

He told us: "I got hooked on kwaito when I was still very young and I was inspired by M'du and other kwaito greats. It is a ghetto style, the music of the townships and I am sure the guys out there will feel it."

Mangesto immediately got an endorsement from triple-platinum-selling South African kwaito star Mzekezeke and top DJ Ezra Tshisa Sibanda, currently working for the Zimbabwean internet radio station Afro Sounds FM.

"Mangesto has real talent. He has the potential to be big," Mzekezeke told New Zimbabwe.com in a recent interview.

"It's a good album, and if you consider that he is producing it himself, it's a staggering milestone," said Sibanda. "He deserves people's support because there has been little or no kwaito music from Zimbabwe to talk about. 50 Cent said whoever said success was a journey certainly wasn't talking about him. Mangesto should ignore him."

It is hard to choose between any of the songs on the 11-track album, but I'skhathi is sure to jerk you off the sofa with its well fused kwaito beat. The track features DJ Toots and Phathisiwe.

Phathisiwe returns on the number seven track Dlala Madlala which is a fantastic party song. You could cut out her rapping to produce a dancehall tune, with Mangesto's well coordinated lyrics in-between.

Mangesto's manager Conrad Mwanza said: "A lot of work and effort was put on this project and I urge people to go out and purchase the album. Mangesto is onto something big."

Mangesto has backed established artists like Mzekezeke, Mafikizolo and M'du on their UK tours. He has also performed solo shows in Manchester and Leeds.

Mangesto's management told New Zimbabwe.com that the album launch would be held in Manchester on a date later this month. Expected at the launch are Calvin and Muzi who made it with Matonto.
For more information about the launch party and to purchase Ezami visit http://www.mangesto.co.uk or call Leyza music on 0161 7631213 or 07746305092.
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