The three Musketeers
• A super clique
The trio is made up of Tokyo Manjara (DJ Zonesh), Tangi Nghipetekwa (DJ Skull) and Georgio van Wyk (DJ Jojo).
MICHAEL KAYUNDEWINDHOEK
Having been in the music game for a short period of time doesn’t discredit the group’s understanding of the youth, and this is why Musketeers has a tjil spotlight. We had to find out how they see themselves fitting in within an already saturated industry.
You couldn’t possibly have gotten through the last two years without hearing these guys. Musketeers really made some noise with the music and fresh feeling they radiate. This super clique has managed to forcibly grab the game’s attention to witness the evident growth.
tjil had a chat with the guys to get insight into how they function individually and as a group and what sort of domination they are going for.
“We are currently overwhelmed with studio sessions and the pressure to release new music that will surpass ‘Danko’,” DJ Zonesh said when asked how they are doing.
Having been nominated in the best male artist in southern Africa category at the 2022 All Africa Music Awards (Afrima), the musicians said they are grateful for this acknowledgement of their craft and maintained that it is a humbling nod.
They added that the nomination caught them off guard, especially because they are competing for the accolade against some of their role models - Focalistic, Kabza De Small, Blxckie, Master KG and Zakes Bantwini.
“The nomination has positioned us as valuable contributors to the African Union’s adopted blueprint strategy on cultural and creative industries, ‘The African Union Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want’, and by default validates our hit song ‘Danko’ as a timeless classic contributing to the development of the continent’s creative economy.”
A form of therapy
On how the group came about, the musicians shared that their craft connected them to each other and when they make music together, it serves as a form of therapy which helps them through depression and anxiety triggered by the social ills they face daily.
“During the first Covid-19 lockdown back in around April 2020, the picture became much clearer for us that producing music helps us to explore our thoughts and feelings and improves our moods.
“Fast forward to today, we have managed to create our own employment through earning royalties from our work and securing bookings for our DJ services,” DJ Skull added.
Their smash hit ‘Danko’ has enjoyed continental success with the audio of the song having surpassed three million views on YouTube.
The track’s official music video was released last month and is on its way to clock 300 000 views on the platform as well.
Social currency
Asked what they attribute the success of this song to, DJ Jojo mentioned that this is a tricky question because they never looked at it from that lens.
As a group, they firmly believe that ‘Danko’ has not yet earned its rightful spot of success, but they remain thankful and appreciative for the social currency they’ve earned, especially via sites such as Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube and TikTok.
“The response towards the music video has been overwhelming, especially the outstanding cinematography and grading of the production by renowned music video director and producer Kyle White,” DJ Jojo said.
Addressing the public outcry on why it took so long for the official music video to be released, the trio told tjil they have deliberately avoided engaging on this matter because they firmly believe that people are entitled to their opinions. This, they said, further allows them a unique platform to take notes to perfect their craft and music journey.
“Amongst the key factors that many have overlooked is the fact that ‘Danko’ is one of a few timeless classics within the amapiano genre and the song has surpassed the lifespan of many other songs released after it,” they said.
Financial discipline
The musicians added: “Another important fact overlooked by many is that the music business is a very expensive journey, especially when it comes to releasing a music video that lives up to the quality and standards of a song like ‘Danko’”.
They said it required them to adapt serious financial discipline and sacrifice in order to save enough money to shoot the music video. Today, they can proudly say every single cent invested into their music career came as result of the income they earned through their royalties, bookings or other revenue streams.
Ending the conversation with tjil, Musketeers announced that they have new music in the pipeline.
“We are busy finalising an EP filled with hit songs due for release towards the end of October - just in time for the festive season.”
Having been in the music game for a short period of time doesn’t discredit the group’s understanding of the youth, and this is why Musketeers has a tjil spotlight. We had to find out how they see themselves fitting in within an already saturated industry.
You couldn’t possibly have gotten through the last two years without hearing these guys. Musketeers really made some noise with the music and fresh feeling they radiate. This super clique has managed to forcibly grab the game’s attention to witness the evident growth.
tjil had a chat with the guys to get insight into how they function individually and as a group and what sort of domination they are going for.
“We are currently overwhelmed with studio sessions and the pressure to release new music that will surpass ‘Danko’,” DJ Zonesh said when asked how they are doing.
Having been nominated in the best male artist in southern Africa category at the 2022 All Africa Music Awards (Afrima), the musicians said they are grateful for this acknowledgement of their craft and maintained that it is a humbling nod.
They added that the nomination caught them off guard, especially because they are competing for the accolade against some of their role models - Focalistic, Kabza De Small, Blxckie, Master KG and Zakes Bantwini.
“The nomination has positioned us as valuable contributors to the African Union’s adopted blueprint strategy on cultural and creative industries, ‘The African Union Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want’, and by default validates our hit song ‘Danko’ as a timeless classic contributing to the development of the continent’s creative economy.”
A form of therapy
On how the group came about, the musicians shared that their craft connected them to each other and when they make music together, it serves as a form of therapy which helps them through depression and anxiety triggered by the social ills they face daily.
“During the first Covid-19 lockdown back in around April 2020, the picture became much clearer for us that producing music helps us to explore our thoughts and feelings and improves our moods.
“Fast forward to today, we have managed to create our own employment through earning royalties from our work and securing bookings for our DJ services,” DJ Skull added.
Their smash hit ‘Danko’ has enjoyed continental success with the audio of the song having surpassed three million views on YouTube.
The track’s official music video was released last month and is on its way to clock 300 000 views on the platform as well.
Social currency
Asked what they attribute the success of this song to, DJ Jojo mentioned that this is a tricky question because they never looked at it from that lens.
As a group, they firmly believe that ‘Danko’ has not yet earned its rightful spot of success, but they remain thankful and appreciative for the social currency they’ve earned, especially via sites such as Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube and TikTok.
“The response towards the music video has been overwhelming, especially the outstanding cinematography and grading of the production by renowned music video director and producer Kyle White,” DJ Jojo said.
Addressing the public outcry on why it took so long for the official music video to be released, the trio told tjil they have deliberately avoided engaging on this matter because they firmly believe that people are entitled to their opinions. This, they said, further allows them a unique platform to take notes to perfect their craft and music journey.
“Amongst the key factors that many have overlooked is the fact that ‘Danko’ is one of a few timeless classics within the amapiano genre and the song has surpassed the lifespan of many other songs released after it,” they said.
Financial discipline
The musicians added: “Another important fact overlooked by many is that the music business is a very expensive journey, especially when it comes to releasing a music video that lives up to the quality and standards of a song like ‘Danko’”.
They said it required them to adapt serious financial discipline and sacrifice in order to save enough money to shoot the music video. Today, they can proudly say every single cent invested into their music career came as result of the income they earned through their royalties, bookings or other revenue streams.
Ending the conversation with tjil, Musketeers announced that they have new music in the pipeline.
“We are busy finalising an EP filled with hit songs due for release towards the end of October - just in time for the festive season.”
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