DJ duo Black Motion’s rise has gained momentum after the release of their big hit Banane Mavoko thanks partly to Oskido picking up the song for Kalawa Jazmee Records.
They were also mentored by the great Black Coffee.
However, the track, which means “clap your hands” in Venda, was already enjoying a number one presence on the important afrodizzia.mp3.com site.
Knowing that it was a hit, Bongani Mokosana and Thabo Mabogwane shopped it around to labels including Soul Candi and DJ Christos. But it was Oskido who saw the massive potential.
Black Coffee took the track around the world in his DJ sets and Louis Vega remixed the track. It was certainly their breakthrough song.
On Oskido’s advice they started producing songs for other people. Finally it was time for them to record for Kalawa Jazmee. They submitted 60 songs which, according to Black Motion, blew Oskido and his Kalawa producers away as every track was world-class.
Finally it was agreed that they would release a double album called Aquarian Drums.
“We spoke to the drums first which is based on the sangoma way,” say the duo. “The sangomas speak to the drums first. Then the second stage is when they go for initiation underwater. We’re going underwater for us to stay in this industry.”
Drums are also an important part of their live show as Bongani plays the drums during their set. “It was originally how our name came up,” they said. “When Bongani plays the drums during the DJ set, people dance more. It causes a trance, like a black trance, hence Black Motion.”
Having watched them live a few times it is safe to say that those drums certainly add a deeper level to the groove and a more dynamic aspect to their music.
“It’s not just about the PC, it’s about the drums, the live element,” they agree. “But our languages on the music is different. We use Venda and other deep, raw, forgotten languages.”
The first time they realised they were big was their first time in Angola. The place was packed and they were under the impression there was some popular artist performing.
“When we realised it was us, we realised just how popular our music is on the internet. In fact, we were big outside of South Africa first.”
Black Motion now tour Europe and the SADC regions, playing their tribal dance music. And in South Africa they are enjoying stadium gigs as well as club gigs and government gigs.
“We love exploring other countries. We collect tattoos and a native instrument from almost every country we go to.”
The good news is that they are planning another album release towards the end of the year.