Zakes Bantwini Speaks About His Life As A Dancer In France

Popular multi millionaire music producer, Zakes Bantwini, today spoke to McG about his life and career.

Key Points

1. Zakes said growing up in Umlazi, he became fed up with the life of struggling for food and opportunity.
2. He said he started off as a dancer. He was very good at dancing.
3. He lived in Paris for 6 months in 1999 performing all dance styles . He says he did everything except ballroom.
4. Zakes said he got bored with dance after travelling to so many countries. He says his choreographer knocked the love of dance off him.
5. Zakes said  the choreographer, Jaques Francois, made him the leader of the group.
6. He travelled to over  34 countries as a dancer
7. However, he was not satisfied to just be a dancer as he wanted to do something that would put him in the spotlight.
8. He then left dance and went to study music.
9. While studying music, Zakes said his lecturer , Bruce asked him who he wants him to be after he completed his studies.
10. Zakes said he answered that he wanted to be the guy who can sign David Beckham’s cheque.
11. Zakes said to monetize your creativity you have to own your creativity. That is why he is a producer
12. Zakes met Black Coffee and Shota while studying music.
13. Zakes said the late Mark Maswanganyi from CCP opened the door for him.
14. Maswanganyi did know him, he just asked him to give him an album and he gave Lvovo’s album.
15. Lvovo was his first artist.
16. Zakes said he met Lvovo at school.
17. There was an organization at school that was helping young people to open businesses.
18. He then opened his record label while at school.
19. Zakes says he wrote the song Bayangisukela for Lvovo. Dusty and KO gave them the studio for free.
20. Zakes said he trademarked the term Durban Kwaito music and the logo belongs to his company.
21. NOTE: In 2010, McG said he hired Zakes at his club, Paparazzi ( For R45 000). Zakes said he is not cheap.
22. On the lockdown house party in 2020, Zakes said this was a space that he did not know, but he had to enter it and  create in it.
23. He said before the lockdown DJs such as Tira could do it, sing and go behind the decks.
24. However, as a music producer, it was the first time for him to be both the  artist  and be behind the decks.
25. Zakes said in South Africa there are no DJs, we have producers that can DJ.
26. For example, Black coffee is a producer first and then  a DJ.
27. If you are a producer first, you play your own music.
28. Zakes says he is a musician. He does not have to fight a system, he has to work with the system.
29. A lot of musicians in South Africa are struggling because DJs are playing their own music.
30. During lockdown, Zakes said he played other artists, giving them a platform.
31. Zakes says he loves Amapiano, its so colorful. He loves DJ Maphorisa, Amos, DJ Somebody, etc
32. Globally, Zakes ssid South Africa music is like background music, its not yet mainstream. It does not strike as something with commercial value. Its still cute.
33. On the other hand, Nigerians don’t want to sound like Americans. They are themselves.
34. Zakes says he loves his wife Nandi, there is nothing for him not to love.
35. He says he wishes people knew how much money she has lost to keep her natural hair.
36. Zakes told how Nandi almost had an endorsement deal with an American company.
37. Just before she signed, Nandi tweeted something on the injustices that were taking place in America.
38. The American company asked her to delete the tweet, but she refused
39. She didnt get the deal.
40. Zakes said Nandi does not do things that do not resonate with her values.
41. If something isnt pushing African superiority, its not for her.
42. Is she good in bed? Zakes refused to answer……LOL

Please watch the video above this post for more details.