kagablog

Spikiri came straight out with it when he arrived at our meeting in Newtown. “Babes, I’ve been in the industry for 21 years. I’ve been making hits for 18 years. I have a 16- year-old daughter and three other daughters I need to protect.

“I have created hits and changed people’s lives. I spoke to Kabelo before the launch and told him I had something to say. The tabloids were planning to write really bad things about me - I had to defend myself.”

The incident in question happened at the relaunch of Kabelo’s record label, Faith Records, which had all the entertainment media in attendance. While Kabelo and his partner, D-Rex, were giving their thank yous, Spikiri burst on stage, took the mic from Kabelo and, using many expletives, ranted at the media about how they must back off.

The next week on SABC1’s music show, Live, he apologised to the elders, his family and to the kids, but not to the media.

“They hate me and I don’t know why. I don’t just pull stunts like this for publicity. I will not apologise to the media. They lie. Check what they are trying to do to Zola. That’s what I am fighting for.”

Clearly, he is an angry man. So let’s tackle the issues. Many think he’s crazy and on drugs. There were allegations he was HIV positive which is why he lost so much weight and landed up in hospital. He shakes his head.

“I do not have Aids. I had a nervous breakdown because I was under a lot of pressure. And anyway, I have always been a skinny person.

“My new CD is kwaito featuring HHP, Unathi, Oskido, Magesh and Trompies. I used them because they are good and are my friends. I always try to work harder. Each album must be better than the last.”

So with all that anger in his life how does he find the inspiration to compose for various artists? After all, Spikiri and his label Kalawa Jazzmee are largely responsible for shaping the SA music industry.

“It’s in my blood. My father is a musician. He left with Ipi Ntombi where he was the percussionist. I was 2 at the time. He disappeared and ended up in Australia. I met him for the first time last year. When they called me I dropped the phone. It took me a week to see him because for 38 years he never saw me.”

The little man, who speaks quietly and earnestly, looks like he’s struggling.

“I can’t blame him. It was the apartheid years, so I’m not cross. I just told him that we suffered. I sold apples and peanuts in the stadiums. I am a self-made man and that’s why I’m helping lots of people, because I know what it is to suffer. I’m a hard worker and I am talented.”

“When we started kwaito it was like bubblegum. I wanted to come up with something different . I love to be original. We released our first album in 1988. I was mixing it with Chicco’s vibe. That guy is like my father. He took care of me. I learned everything from him. He paid for my piano lessons, everything.

“In terms of production now, everyone’s got a different vibe, so it is easy.” He starts listing all the artists he has produced.

“When we started Bongo Maffin we didn’t want it to sound like Boom Shaka. Look at Mafikizolo, obviously it’s not the same as Kabelo’s Pantsula for Life or Dubulah.”

Is it true he reserves the best beats for Thebe?

“No. I try to give everyone the best beats, from Mzekezeke to Brown Dash. Sometimes you don’t do things for money. You do it for respect. I don’t charge that much. I’m reasonable.”

“I love being with people. That’s why I chill everywhere in the country. People love me. I don’t drive a fancy car. These journalists must leave me alone.”

Aaah, we’re back to that again.

“I had a bad life, but now I’m cool. My friends are okay. My family is okay.”

He flashes a grin. “I’m with you.”

Aah, the man is charming. Charming and seemingly happy.

He is also one the country’s most prolific producers of all time. And one of the original kwaito artists, so he never pretended to be a saint.

But fame has a way of catching up with you, now more so than ever. In the ’80s, when Spikiri first started in the music industry, the world was not celebrity obsessed. There were few tabloids, (absolutely none in South Africa), no E! Entertainment, etc.

In 2007, the entertainment media across the world are dedicated to exposing celebrities as fallible human beings, after creating their infallible images. It’s a case of supply and demand. We 21st century human beings love it.

On an international level, we cannot get enough of Paris Hilton and her whoring antics, or Britney Spears and her narcotics and alcohol sprees.

Many of our local celebrities are only realising this now. Some, like Kelly Khumalo and Arthur, have quickly learnt how to exploit our celebrity culture.

Others, like Spikiri, have been too busy creating real music and living a full life to notice that it had happened before it was too late.

The reality is that celebrity culture and celebrity accountability is not going away soon, so they’re going to have to adapt or die.

“I’m a very strong man and no one will put me down. This is real life and there are ups and downs. I’m going to work with my head up.

“This is my life and it belongs to me.

“I’m here for a reason and I am doing it well.”

interview by therese owen
originally published in tonight