Kwaito is a testosterone-driven, brash genre, more so than the roar of rock and definitely more so than the metrosexual preening world of hip hop. And that is one of the beautiful ways in which Sibusiso Khoma stood out from the rest of his kwaito brothers. R Mashesha (pictured), as he was known to his fans, was the skinny one in the award-winning, chart- topping kwaito trio, Big Nuz.
The first time I interviewed him was on the roof at Afrotainment’s studio in Greyville, Durban. Unlike Mapintsha and Danger, his very big, strong and loud colleagues, R Mashesha was shy and soft-spoken.
“I cry easily,” he confessed with a smile. Looking into his eyes, it was clear that he did have pain of life. However, the talented rapper and kwaito star tried to keep that hidden from his fans and on stage he was a rock star.
At industry parties he preferred to stay in the background, while Danger, Mapintsha and Tira, took the lead in the partying.
However, shortly after the success of their award-winning, platinum-selling album, Umlilo, it became clear that not all was well with R Mashesha’s health. While he was always skinny, he started to look gaunt.
On the set for their video Hawaii, he was so weak that I asked if he was okay. He replied that he was worried because he had left his pills at home. The video director shot all his solo scenes first so that R Mashesha could go home. It was the last time I saw him alive.
R Mashesha was part of a fearless group who revived kwaito in a big way. Ever since Mandoza’s career began to wane and members of Trompies and BOP turned to house music, the question was: is kwaito dead?
There were stalwarts like Zola and Spikiri flying the flag, but in a youth-driven market, kwaito offered nothing new. Enter Tira, the CEO of Afrotainment, producer and DJ and a fiercely proud Durbanite. So proud, that he named his DJ collaboration with DJ Sox, Durban’s Finest. With a keen business sense, Tira positioned his record company in Durban. He only signed artists from KZN who resided in Durban. “Durban Rocks” became their tagline. And his first big project was Big Nuz. “NUZ” is the number plate for uMlazi, where the three men grew up. Big Nuz’s sound was faster, leaning towards house. It was fresh, exciting and, of course, anything that breaks in KZN first catches on like wildfire in the rest of the country. Along with L’Vovo Derrango and T’Zozo & Professor, Durban kwaito exploded on the dance floors of shebeens and Sandton alike.
It is unfortunate that R Mashesha died on the day of the release of Big Nuz’s latest album. Whether Danger and Mapintsha will continue as a twosome or if this will be their last album, only time will tell. However, what is certain is that Big Nuz and R Mashesha gave us great music and some classic hits that will stand the test of time.
May R Mashesha, the sweet, shy man who had pain of life in his eyes, but hid behind a gentle smile, rest in peace. Thank you for the music, Sibusiso Khoma.