Ebusuku - Mauzah Releases Scintillating Video

In her otherwise unbeknown poem, Kaavyaa Kriday, once wrote that Night is not the time to rest; Night is the best to party. It is the time the subconscious rocks. This bewilderment of ideas is lively enacted in the recently released music video, entitled Ebusuku by Mauzah.

For those late-night revellers who believe that entertainment is from the fairly tame to the risque to the seedy, this one is your special dedication.

"Well the concept of the song is just about night life, the way people party ebusuku, I came up with the idea after parting at a club in Jozi, ngasho ngathi oh yah Ebusuku!"  Says Unity, displaying some mannerism one would usually associate with a decent crook.
Well, here is music for all the night owls.

Anything the video aims to portray? Well not much really as Mauzah, himself confirms. "Ebusuku is about parting so on the video I am simply showing the world how Mauzah rock n roll nabangane bakhe"

Preparing myself for the video analysis, I resorted to the old school approach to watching a motion picture; that is, accompanying myself with freshly made popcorns and a glass of coca cola. I sat motionlessly, with my eyes glued to the action.

I loved the evidence of my eyes. Confined in a room characterised with a crazy party atmosphere, Ebusuku music video breathes fresh air into the traditional business of video shooting.  Although some critics may perceive it as lacking captivating and interesting imagery, Ebusuku is a low budget video with super excellent use of the soundtrack and it is something you think about long after you have seen it. Have we not seen enough of the typical angst-ridden music videos where the crying, angry, hurt girl/guy rides the bus/train/car, etc? I like this video for the sole reason that it gives me something different.




Ebusuku is really pretty to watch, the music is great, and once again, it serves as a quick reminder that, lokshin culture and the Kwaito genre will never die. Through the undertones as well as overtones, the sound synthesis and musical idea reveals the background influence of such gurus as Oskido whom Mauzah admit to be the man he learnt and is still learning from.

"Oskido is the man. He has been in the industry for a long time and akapheli moya. He now runs other businesses and even if he doesn't release any albums he still survives. As a musician, I believe you must be business minded too ngoba kuyaphela."
 
The video is festooned with a bevy √ɬ¢√¢‚Äö¬¨" a group of stunningly twisting and waist-twirling girls seemingly gifted in acting and simulation, whom Mauzah refers to them as "close friends and fans". The video itself is said to have been shot at a friend's place in Bessvalie, a Johannesburg suburb.  The girls comprise the likeable and versatile Visions Radio presenter, Marilyn Nhlanhla Sibanda, Skhu, Barbra, Nokulinda, Warona, Lebo and Nokuzola. It's a scintillating performance from the girls, who rightfully can be referred to as paragons of beauty. Bayachoma, bayahlokoloza, bayacharmer in a way that will definitely leave a block with a sweet-sour 'who was that girl' hangover.

The performance from the guys does not disappoint either. A down to earth performance, with "ngeke badlalele la kimi ngoba I am not Mabhida" attitude written all over their faces. Hence Mauzah's video deserves to be seen as a carefully modulated art-film made by a musician on a mission. A musician who is aware that, without ambition, one starts nothing and without work one finishes nothing. A musician whose musical background highlights that the prize will not be sent to you but you have to win it.
The video concept is Mauzah's brainchild but the making was directed by Kaya Couter, the director of the weirdly addictive movie Umlazi Gangstars.  "It was our second time doing the video of the same song because I didn't like the first one", explains the man behind the project. "That was the reason why we had to do it again," Mauzah explains.

As a child, Mauzah aspired to be a singer. He started break dancing at the age of 9, went on to become a founder member of a kwaito group called Achuzi, and with 4 successful albums under their belt, the group was once proud nominees for the best upcoming group at the Z.I.M.A awards. Ebusuku, a masterpiece produced by Dj Aero from Herbal 3 Records, is Mauzah's second solo project.
 
Ebusuku is a track from a 6 track album comprising tracks like Ayeye feat Sanni Makhalima and Umsindo All Stars produced by Jusa, Mastanda produced by Nkosana Mangena at Leyza studios in U.K. Penseli produced by Dj Smatology from Mlue Records feat Mpumi and Mabhekza, Ezika Mauzah produced by the man himself from his home studio in Jozi. Engidume ngazo is also a product of Dj Aero' sublime skills.

Having been in the game for a while we ask Mauzah to share his fondest musical memories?

"Eish I remember my cousin Knoxman. He could carry his radio and make a stopover emashops ngigide blind after that sithenge isinkwa lamafrozen and I also have not-so-good memories falling over on the floor during a live performance at the Bulawayo theatre.

Quizzed on if he has ever been in a tight competition, Mauzah offers a quick reply. He recalls the times when they would dance their socks off in a desperate attempt to win some admirations from the judges at local music competitions.

"I remember sometime when I was still a member of Achuzi. There was a dance competition boasting the likes of Kinetic Order, Stina and Kwaito Cousins. It was extremely tight and ngajayiva ngaze ngasubuka amadolo sishaya istyla sokuthandazelana  hahaha,, and we came out victors."

Coming to the tough position of balancing music business with family obligations, Mauzah is quick to clarify his strategy. "I always make sure after 5pm I am done with my recordings and practising so that ma family gets time with me and obvious Sunday is a family day I am indoors and it is my duty to cook (laughing) even though m a bad cook".

To buy Mauzah's album, visit www.reverbnation.com/achuzi