Earlier this year, House On Fire announced the official 2023 CollaboNation artists as Thobile Makhoyane (Eswatini) X The Hood Brodz (Mozambique), and Mokoomba (Zimbabwe) X Morena Leraba (Lesotho).
After weeks of planning and online collaboration, the artists were recently in studio to record their songs. The first recording session with Mokoomba and Morena Leraba commenced in Harare on Monday 1 May, and was followed soon after by Thobile and The Hood Brodz who recorded in Maputo, Mozambique. Each recording pair was hosted in-studio for 2 days to create their unique collaborative song, which will also have a music video filmed and produced documenting the live song performances that will take place at the upcoming MTN Bushfire Festival held in Eswatini from 26 – 28 May 2023.
This exciting new step in the CollaboNation process brings to life the project goals of connecting and uniting the region through unique music collaborations whilst building linkages between cultural industries and networks. The aim is to extend the reach of Southern African artists, exposing them to new audiences, media, promoters and other industry professionals, in order to access new markets and communities while developing artist brands.
Since the artist announcements, the teams have been hard at work in their own studios and connecting online in order to prepare for their time in studio. These exciting preparations were documented and can be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/@MTNBushfireFestival/shorts
The production of the reels and the final CollaboNation videos also provide a skills training and development opportunity, with award-winning production house and long-time MTN Bushfire videography team Makhulu Media mentoring Eswatini owned and based Motion Skies Pictures.
The CollaboNation Artists
Thobile Makhoyane: Hailing from the mountainous Kingdom of eSwatini, Thobile Makhoyane’s musical sorcery finds her melding influences from home and abroad under her ‘hypno-rock’ rubric – her imposing vocals floating divinely over acoustic sounds and a live band often comprising a mix of traditional and western instruments. Thobile names golden African voices Jabu Khanyile, Smiles Makama, Busi Mhlongo, Suthukazi Arosi, Youssou N’Dour and Oumou Sangaré among her key influences.
The Hood Brodz: The Hood Brodz is a DJ/Producer duo hailing from Maputo, Mozambique. Ayrton and younger brother Hélio have been working together since 2011, releasing many songs on international labels in South Africa, France, Dubai and Angola, and more, as well as establishing their mark on the Mozambican music landscape. They draw their inspiration from their ‘hood in Maputo, Bairro Trevo.
Makoomba: Mokoomba, an explosively talented six-man crew from the Victoria Fall, has been hailed as one of the most exciting band from Africa in the 21st century! With over 40 countries and prestigious international festivals under their belt, they performed at the world’s biggest festivals and venues, Sziget, Roskilde, North Sea Jazz, New York’s Apollo Theater, New Orleans Jazz and many more.
Morena Leraba: Teboho Mochaoa, known commonly by his stage name Morena Leraba, is a Lesotho-born singer and rapper. He mainly uses traditional seSotho lyrics and combines them with Electro, Afro-House and Hip Hop. His lyrics are deeply rooted in Lesotho’s traditional music, poetry, and its sub-genre, Famo.