Langalakhe Mabena
Upcoming musician Prince Qhubani Mpofu who goes by the stage name Fab G MshanakaGogo has come up with his own type of musical genre which he terms Umthobanhliziyo Tribal.
He describes it as a Southern African lyrical cultured genre which represents Bantu tribes. It is inspired by the fusion of different mainstream genres Afro pop, Maskandi and hip-hop poetry, therefore associated with both the traditional and urban feel.
The Old Magwegwe-born lad said: “I believe that Umthobanhliziyo is a heart healing genre that comes with our black cultural values, message of encouragement and sufficient provision of working through the challenges of life.
“It dwells on different encounters that black people experience in life as well as giving applicable resolutions,” said Fab G.
His first single on the genre is titled Amafufu which is inspired by a Ndebele proverb Ukufel’ Amafufu njengegundwane (Dying for what you don’t know).
With the love the single has received in Bulawayo, Fab G has decided to do a full-length album titled Isibane and it is set to be released before the year ends.
He believes his new genre will pass on traditional knowledge from the old generation to the new.
His songs Amafu, Komborera Dzimba Dzemabwe and Phenduk’Ekhaya are enjoying favourable positions on Khulumani FM’s top 20 charts.
Fab G is inspired by South Africa’s Sjava and Maskandi kings Shwi Nomthekhala.
Apart from music he is an actor and he plays the character of Ndex on ZBC TV drama titled Mandla.
