The music of The Muffinz is so new, yet so soulful, so accessible, so honest and so innocent, that it appeals to all age groups, races, classes and sexes.
The five young musicians make a refreshing change from the usual run of the mill rappers and house DJs, who are currently dominating the popular music scene, in that they play real instruments, and they play them well. Added to that is all five musicians are great singers in their different genres of expertise.
Take for instance electric guitarist and vocalist, Atomza. His voice is best described as a young Michael Jackson meets Usher with a twist of rock. Drummer Keke then enters with his Senegalese meets rumba vocals. The band switch from a groovy R&B rhythm led by acoustic guitarist Mthae and bassist Skabz, to a classy jazz guitar sound introduced by electric guitarist and acapella singer, Simz. And that by the way is just on one song!
That is why, to explain the band, they decided to call themselves The Muffinz. Explains Mthae: “We wanted a name that would be remembered, something catchy but a name that people would want to find out more about. Plus, we all come from different backgrounds musically and so we all bring different ingredients - as in the ingredients in a muffin.”
The group began in 2010 when Mthae, Simz and Atomza met while singing in the UJ (University Of Johannesburg) Choir. Now, while it may seem rather “unrock n roll” to many, the three of them decided to gather their guitars and form a band. They entered a competition at Cool Runnings in Melville and their performance was so good, recalled Atomza, that they caused one of the judges to cry. “His name was Philip Howard and he was a journalist from Benoni. “He wrote such an amazing story about us that it was the big turning point for us. We realised that we could do this.” They went onto win the competition.
By April 2011 Skabz and Keke had joined the band and they found a residency in the same suburb of Melville. By their third Sunday night gig they already had a loyal following and four months later, they were the talk of the town, with people and celebs coming from all over Jozi just to catch a glimpse of this brilliant band of young, gifted, black musicians.
In August 2011, the independent label, Just Music, were invited to see the band perform an impromptu private performance in a tiny rehearsal room at the University of Johannesburg. They were so blown away with The Muffinz that they immediately offered them a recording deal.
This led to the boys recording ther debut album at the famous Jazzworx Studios where artists like HHP and Lira call their recording home. The album was produced by the band themselves as well as the Jazzworx team of Robin Kohl, Tebogo Moloto and LeRoy Croft.
The result of this intensive recording experience is an eleven track aural adventure called ‘Have You Heard?’ released in late May 2012.
The title track is already on high rotation on many regional commercial radio stations with Khumbul’Ekhaya enjoying success on Public Broadcast Stations.
With that amount of lyrical thought put into each song, and with such talent and diversity in this unique group, there is no doubt that The Muffinz will rule the world.
GETTING TO KNOW THE BAND!
Not only are they talented musicians, not only are they standing on the brink of household fame, but these five band members are hot, hot, hot babes too.
Simphiwe ‘Simz’ Kulla – lead electric guitar/vocalist:
“I come from an acapella jazz background and I am a self taught musician. I grew up listening to acapella and singing in the church. I was introduced to jazz at age 13 and picked up my first guitar at age 14. I then taught myself how to play my first guitar at age 19.”
Mthabisi ‘Mthae’ Sibanda – acoustic guitar and vocals:
“I grew up listening to boy bands although a lot of my influences come from my dad who liked Sting and Bryan Adams and old school pop like George Michael and Jim Reeves. In 2005 I entered SABC3’s ‘Walk The Plank’ show for a whole lot of money. I took the money and bought my first guitar and taught myself. Only when I joined the UJ Choir did I receive any formal training.”
Gregory ‘Keke’ Mabusela – drumz and vocals:
“I am influenced by Kadjanin music from Senegal as well as Salif Keita and Bobby McFerrin. I have been singing all my life. I once made an instrument called the Keke Horn with which I entered ‘South Africa Has Got Talent’. I started playing the drums in 2005 because I fell in love with them.”
Karabo ‘Skabz’ Moeketsi – bass and vocals:
“I love acapella, jazz and gospel. I started out singing acapella in church. I bought my first bass at age 20 and have gone through five basses. Four were stolen and I gave one away. This is my sixth bass.”
Sifiso ‘Atomza’ Buthelezi – lead electric and vocals:
“I first remember singing at age four. It was a Boys II Men song but as I grew up I turned to rapping. The first time I saw someone playing the guitar in real life was when I saw Mthae playing. Later that year I received my bursary from the UJ library and ran down to a second hand shop and bought my first guitar.”
Biography by Therese Owen
Come With Me
The Muffinz Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm going, said I'm flying away
I'm moving, said I'm sailing away
I'm going, Instead of staying here
I'm soaring, I'm flying
Over the rainbow
I'm leaving the sorrows behind
I'm over the rainbow x2
Come with me, over the rainbow
I'm leaving my sorrows behind
Come with me, over this mountain
And into a valley of peace x2
I took a dive in the water
It felt like life, I've never never felt before
Said I'm going away, I'm going my way
And nothing is gonna stop me, I know x2
And I will dive deeper if I have to
Deep 'cause I want to
I'm leaving my sorrows behind x4
Peace... x7
Do you know how its feels when you're flying
Soaring and the wind just caresses your face
And the clouds in the sky are just awaiting your
emotions with beauty
Of all of this world
When birds are opportunities
Skies become the usual things
Know that you're going away
When birds are opportunities
Skies become the usual things
Nothing can stop me
I'm over the rainbow
Peace... x7
The lyrics of The Muffinz's song, "Come With Me", are about leaving behind the negative aspects of life and embarking on a journey towards a brighter future. The song is filled with powerful metaphors about flying, sailing, and diving, all of which symbolize the feeling of being free from the burdens and sorrows that weigh us down. The singer is urging the listener to join him on this journey, promising them a valley of peace, which again is a metaphor for a life free from worries and troubles.
The lyrics encourage the idea of taking risks and embracing new experiences, diving deeper into life and leaving behind any fears or doubts. The song speaks to the sense of wanderlust that often plagues humanity, a longing for something new and fulfilling, a change from the mundanity of everyday life. Ultimately, the song is about hope, leaving the past behind and moving towards a better future with a new-found sense of purpose.
Line by Line Meaning
I said I'm sailing, moving I'm...
I am moving forward and progressing in my life.
I'm going, said I'm flying away
I am leaving my current situation and starting a new chapter in my life.
I'm moving, said I'm sailing away
I am making progress and leaving behind any negative or stagnant aspects of my life.
I'm going, Instead of staying here
I choose to move forward and not stay in my current situation.
I'm soaring, I'm flying
I am experiencing newfound freedom and happiness in my life.
Over the rainbow
I am leaving behind any negativity and moving towards a brighter future.
I'm leaving the sorrows behind
I am moving on from any previous sadness or heartache in my life.
And nothing is gonna stop
I am determined to continue progressing and overcoming any obstacles in my way.
Come with me, over the rainbow
I invite you to join me in moving towards a brighter future.
Come with me, over this mountain
Let's overcome any challenges together and move towards peace and happiness.
And into a valley of peace
Together, we will find tranquility and happiness.
I took a dive in the water
I am taking risks and experiencing new things in my life.
It felt like life, I've never never felt before
I am experiencing deep and meaningful growth in my life.
Said I'm going away, I'm going my way
I am leaving behind any negativity and forging my own path in life.
And nothing is gonna stop me, I know
I have the determination and resilience to overcome anything that comes my way.
And I will dive deeper if I have to
I am willing to take risks and push myself to grow even further.
Deep 'cause I want to
I am motivated by my desire to experience new things and grow as a person.
Peace...
I am at peace with my past and am looking forward to a brighter future.
Do you know how its feels when you're flying
I am experiencing joy and freedom in my life.
Soaring and the wind just caresses your face
I am embracing the beauty of the natural world and the freedom it represents.
And the clouds in the sky are just awaiting your emotions with beauty
I am experiencing a profound connection with nature and the world around me.
Of all of this world
I am grateful for the beauty and wonder of the world we live in.
When birds are opportunities
I see the world as full of possibilities and opportunities.
Skies become the usual things
I am able to find joy and fulfillment in everyday experiences.
Nothing can stop me
I am determined to overcome any obstacles and achieve my goals.
Writer(s): Mthabisi Mthae Sibanda, Simphiwe Kulla, Gregory Mabusela, Karabo Moeketsi, Sifiso Buthelezi
Contributed by Josiah D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Empress Dierdre
on Sound Check
I would love to know the words to this song completely. The words cool my hearst and gives me movement that is improntrd thru out us
Mo Khabane
on Ghetto
In Brazil it's called Favela