House DJs are often the most chilled members of the South African music industry. Fanie “Bob’Ezy” Mahlangu (pictured) is a perfect example. It’s his birthday when I call him, but you’d swear it’s just a Monday.
“I’m just going to hang out with my family,” says the 28-year-old producer and DJ who is home in Mpumalanga, “and take my 3-year-old kid out.”
The chilled vibe comes through in the first disc of Soul Candi’s two-CD album, Producer Series Volume 3. On it, Bob’Ezy, who now lives in Joburg, showcases his music on one disc, while UK producer, Jonny Miller, takes the reins on the second.
“The first two volumes were great,” says Bob’Ezy, “so to be chosen to be on this volume shows that I’m being appreciated. When you love something, it feels like your baby too and you just want to make the masses proud.”
If the chart-topping Busa, which is co-produced by DJ Euphonik, features vocalist, Mpumi and appears on the Producer Series Volume 3, is anything to go by, the masses approve. “That song has been nominated in the Song of the Year categories in the Metro FM Music Awards, the Samas and now the MTV Africa Music Awards,” beams Bob’Ezy. “That song opened many doors for me. It gave me respect and made me push even harder.” Some of those doors include a mix slot on Euphonik’s 5FM show two Sundays of every month. “It’s the only way I get to communicate with people who don’t get to book me,” he says of his mixes.
Another Producer Series Volume 3 song that is on radio is his Summer Rain which features Michael Ashley and is co-produced by Bevan Godden: “Michael is a vocalist from Cape Town.I like working with underground vocalists because they are new and hungry.”
They are also not opposed to singing about rain and summer and sometimes cities – we see you, M.Que – as is common in house music. “I don’t know,” Bob’Ezy laughs, “rain brings about the emotions. If you listen to Summer Rain with your eyes closed, you can see, in your mind, what the song is saying.”
Bob’Ezy plans to take his plans of synaesthesia further while he works on his solo album which will be released next year.
l The Soul Candi Producers Series Volume 3 is in stores.