Malumz on Deck’s 3-step EP release Uzuri sets to rekindle the house-music love in Mzansi
Malumz on Deck have come a long way in making music that moves the soul. With over 6 years of industrial music making experience, after years of winning within the Ekuruleni DJ circuit, the duo Oscar Nyathi and Mandla Mtshali have begun their latest EP release “Uzuri” that features a three step release schedule.
The latest release ‘Siyobonana’ is the second of the songs that they have lined up, following Teka which is reportedly doing well, according to Oscar.
Uzuri, Oscar shares, was planned as a three step release EP of the 6 songs they have produced as way of giving the listener enough time to enjoy the songs among the plethora of music that is fast being released in Mzansi. The ‘Uzuri‘ EP has been an almost three year long labour of love and thus becomes their first solid project to be released post Covid. They plan to release 2 songs at a time.
“In our quest for a comeback post Covid, with something different and solid, Uzuri was born. We worked with quite a few names like Mpho.Wav, Dixie L and Junior SA among others. We also worked with Murumba Pitch on a favourite remix of ours S’vuthela iNumber as well,” he shared.
“We chose the route of an EP as opposed to a fully fledged album because the truth is that people don’t really have the time to consume a full album. They will only listen for a maximum a week then move onto something else with the amount of music that is always released.”
The pair have successfully marked their place as prolific house DJs, producers, entrepreneurs, philanthropists, and social development activists – since their debut album ‘The Journey’ in 2017, followed by the success of their sophomore offering ‘Find Your Way’, and their latest creation, the ‘Afro Is Afrika’ EP.
When it comes to releasing music, the pair is led by their inner need and timing more than pressure – making their music releases timeously all the time.
“We have been able to maintain our status within the music industry because we plan and are mostly moved by the need for music. When we dropped our first album, it was in a CD format and now with the many changes that have taken place within the industry, music is now released over the digital streams, showing also how long we have been around.
“Our hope with this project is that it reaches its maximum in terms of listenership. Each and every song that we have produced carries with it an experience and a musical journey that we hope the listeners get immersed in. Teka, which was our initial release, is doing really well. We have high hopes for the rest of the project,” songs that are scheduled to drop in the next coming year.
Their next big move has been signing with Warner, after years of working independently – a decision that they believe is right for their brand now.
“House music is still the cornerstone of our – with its many sub-genres that exist. We have always been about Afro music and through this EP, we want to give people a sound that is relevant and that reflects who we are.
“We are looking forward to seeing Uzuri grow and us forming part of people’s festive season,” said Oscar.
Their journey so far has been extraordinary: 2022: “The Malumz Experience” was broadcast across all Trace territories globally, further solidifying their international appeal. In 2020, Malumz on Decks clinched a SAMA Award for Remix of the Year and received nominations for Best Dance Album and Duo or Group of the Year. Also in 2020, the duo made waves as they joined METRO FM, one of South Africa’s biggest commercial stations, as part of the Urban Beat Team and became resident Mix DJs for all shows. In 2019, they received a SAMA Nomination for Song of the Year for their hit “Shayi’Number.”