Get to Know Mema_Percent, the Rising Amapiano Star Honouring Kwaito Roots
Hailing from the streets of Orlando East in Soweto is the reincarnation of the location’s very own late mythical star Mandoza, manifesting in the shape of amapiano rising star Siyahluma Mema, otherwise known as Mema_Percent. Already known to many through his contribution on the viral hit single, “Kilimanjaro”, the vocalist has followed up his single “Stayela” with his latest offering “Manje Clean”, which sees the nascent artist expand on his musical continuum to explore deeper shades of amapiano by tracing his roots back to the days of kwaito.
Speaking about “Manje Clean”, he cited that the sound of the song – with its kick and the basslines – took him back to the past, back to the genre which he grew up on: kwaito.
“When it comes to the song, “Manje Clean”, Officixl RSA and JazziQ, the producers of the song, came up with the beat, which had a kwaito vibe. It feels like something from ekasi and for ekasi. When the beat played over and over, one thing came to mind for me: it made me feel like Mandoza. It reminded me of the style of kwaito that was done back in the day, but the thing I realised is that I didn’t have the vocal element to match it. So, I came up with the concept of “Manje Clean” – touch one, touch all. Sihlangene sonke siyimbumba (We are united). So that’s how the song came about,” he said.
Listen to ” Manje Clean”:
The blooming star spoke about some of his musical influences, and artists he regarded well for their creativity.
“One person that I look up to in the industry is Sjava, especially when it comes to songwriting and approach and things like concepts. When it comes to music all around, locally and internationally, I like Billie Eilish’s music,” he said.
Mema_Percent alluded to connecting with the people through his craft, stating that it’s something he wanted to be remembered for.
“I would love to be known as a person who is happy and easy-going and whose story can be understood through listening to my music. Because people might not know me personally in a way that they might want to know me, so the best possible way to connect with Mema_Percent is by listening to the music,” he said.
Mema_Percent | SUPPLIED
Percent touched on the importance of catching movements in their infancy and also rolling with the new kids on the block and striking the iron of trends while it was hot.
“The more the industry opens up, the more new people come in, and it’s usually a case of them having a history of looking up to you before they got in. So, it’s important that I have an eye to identify the next movement among those who are trying to come up. Sometimes, you are fortunate to move with the right people at the right time, and so everything happens organically. So giving them a chance when everything is right helps you to stay relevant and at the top,” he said.
Looking to the future, the neo-Mandoza wished not only to continue growing his brand as a musician, but to build a solid string of bodies of work that would represent him and to also pass the torch to future generations someday.
“Well, the brand is growing and that can’t be judged by today’s pace because that can change in the future. So, in the years to come, I’d like to own my own label – if possible – and a catalogue that speaks for itself, to be at the level where whenever I drop, people listen. To have younger artists under me that I work with and to push music together,” he said.