Jack de Vocalist aims to uplift Xitsonga reggae

A new reggae singer, Matimba “Jake de Vocalist” Makhubele, is a promising reggae artist whose voice continues to endear him to the hearts of many people who happen to listen to his songs.

He fell in love with “riddim reggae”, which was popularised by the youth in the streets of Kingston in Jamaica. His music, therefore, finds its roots in the melting pot of reggae, where most godfathers of the genre started a movement that advocated world peace and unity.

Back in South Africa, what is common knowledge is that here in the Vhembe District, the singing and release of reggae music is more prevalent among the Vhavenda of the Far North.

“I am a reggae prince who sings in Xitsonga and I want to leave an indelible mark in the music industry, so that more and more new singers will have to look up to me as a paver of Xitsonga reggae,” he said. “I was blessed with a gift to share good music with my fellow people, so that they can get uplifted in spirit and experience the kind of peace of mind that they have never tasted before.”

He stated that he was inspired by great riddim artists such as Morgan Heritage, J boog, Peetah Morgan, Sliza, and I-Octane. “Coming back home, I regard Colbert Mukwevho, Burning Doctor, Khakhathi, and Shufflers as some great musicians whose music carries heavy weight,” he said.

Jack de Vocalist has been active in the background since around 2014. He stepped onto the platform when he met Emc, who helped him release the song Hayi ka mhana mina (Never disrespect my mother).

“Hayi ka mhana mina has been nominated for GCR FM's Xitsonga Cultural Music Awards under the Xitsonga best reggae category,” he said.

Some hit songs from Jack de Vocalist include, among others, Xaka ra mina, Milorho ya mina, Makhelwani, Rirhandzu ra manana, Wa cata, Xikhongelo, and Mind blowing.

“I have performed at many community functions and corporate gigs where I shared the stage with established artists whom I had always looked up to for motivation and inspiration,” he said.

After releasing more than 20 singles through the years, Jack de Vocalist hopes to put together a full-length album and release it sometime in the first half of this year.

He resides at Chavani village. He is on Facebook and can be phoned on 064 327 0800.

Entertainment - Date: 18 February 2019

Tshifhiwa Mukwevho

Tshifhiwa Given Mukwevho was born in 1984 in Madombidzha village, not far from Louis Trichardt in the Limpopo Province. After submitting articles for roughly a year for Limpopo Mirror's youth supplement, Makoya, he started writing for the main newspaper. He is a prolific writer who published his first book, titled A Traumatic Revenge in 2011. It focusses on life on the street and how to survive amidst poverty. His second book titled The Violent Gestures of Life was published in 2014.

Email: [email protected]