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
Ghetto
The Muffinz Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In South Africa we call it ekasi
The rest of the world calls it the ghetto.
Some places call it the hood
In Brazil they call it the...
Said I'm from a place
Where being desolate is the same as being rich.
Cause government resources are far from our reach.
While at home we suffer with these rats at our feet.
Where being a good girl is the same as being a bitch.
Cause preachers pray then numb girls and hide it when they preach.
The child's innocence is at stake of being extinct.
The fast cars of our past lives
Our world is from the ghetto
It's no fair, no fair, it's no
fair. No fair, no fair it's not
fair.No fair, no fair it's not
fair. I'm from the ghetto.
There's no way that my kids will grow in the ghetto.
And there's no way that my mom will die in the ghetto.
And there's no way, no way, no way...
(Livin in the ghetto)
Said I'm from a place
The Muffinz's song Ghetto tells the story of a place in South Africa commonly known as "ekasi” or the ghetto. The song begins by acknowledging that this place is where the band members come from, and in other parts of the world, it's known as the hood or the ghetto. The song then proceeds to describe the challenges faced by people living in the ghetto. Government resources are scarce, and corruption is rampant. Fat cats roam the streets, while ordinary people struggle to make ends meet. Despite these challenges, people in the ghetto try to live their lives the best way they can. However, being a good girl in the ghetto is as bad as being a bitch, and preachers in the area often prey on women and hide their behavior.
The song highlights how the innocence of children is under threat in the ghetto, as they struggle to survive in an environment that does not offer much hope. The fast cars that the people living in the ghetto see around them, belonging to those who have made it out, only serve as a cruel reminder of the life they cannot have. The song then ends on a hopeful note, with the artist refusing to accept that their future generations will also have to live in the ghetto. They vow that their children will not grow up in such an environment, and their mother will not have to die in the ghetto.
Line by Line Meaning
So this is a story about this place where we come from.
This song is about the place where we grew up, which in South Africa is called ekasi and in other places is known as the ghetto or the hood.
Where being desolate is the same as being rich.
In our community, being poor and struggling is seen as the norm, while those in power and with wealth seem unreachable and almost mythical.
Cause government resources are far from our reach.
Despite being citizens of the country, the government seems to ignore our needs and concerns, leaving us feeling like we have no support or assistance.
Corruption is plentiful and fat cats roam the streets.
Corruption is rampant and those in power and with money are untouchable, leaving the rest of us without a chance to improve our lives.
While at home we suffer with these rats at our feet.
We are forced to live with the consequences of this corruption and neglect, including living in unsafe and unsanitary conditions with vermin around us.
Where being a good girl is the same as being a bitch.
In our society, women are judged harshly no matter what they do, whether they are kind and obedient or independent and bold.
Cause preachers pray then numb girls and hide it when they preach.
Even some religious leaders who are meant to guide us can be deceitful and predatory, luring vulnerable girls into harmful situations.
The child's innocence is at stake of being extinct.
Children are not safe in our community, with their purity and naivety being threatened by corruption, abuse, and violence.
Our world is from the ghetto
Our lives are shaped and defined by the struggles, obstacles, and injustices we face living in the ghetto.
It's no fair, no fair, it's no fair. No fair, no fair it's not fair.No fair, no fair it's not fair. I'm from the ghetto.
Our situation is unjust and unfair, and it's not right that we are forced to endure such a difficult life in the ghetto.
There's no way that my kids will grow in the ghetto.
As a parent, I am determined to provide a better life for my children than what I experienced growing up in the ghetto.
And there's no way that my mom will die in the ghetto.
I want to ensure that my mother, who likely also suffered in the ghetto, has a better quality of life and a more dignified death than what is typical of our community.
And there's no way, no way, no way... (Livin in the ghetto)
We are fed up and motivated to break the cycle of poverty and injustice that has defined our lives in the ghetto, and we are determined to make a better future for ourselves and our loved ones.
Contributed by Alice Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Mo Khabane
In Brazil it's called Favela
@Yamkela17
Oh my goodness it's just as good as the first time I heard it. I would love to watch these guys live❤ and the incredible message behind the song...damn. Think it flew over people's heads.
@sibusisoyoungsteezngwale8691
One of my favourite tracks from the album. It reminds me that I may be from the hood, but I won't there forever, it brings so much hope and inspiration to my life
@samthingsowetomusic
I acknowledge talent when I hear n see it... FORWARD BOYS. halala!
@siphesihlemadlala2087
Mina ngivume wenake cabanga. Ay manje kudala!!
@tshenolomkino9265
I hope this group doesn't die out😭😭✊✊ they've produced magnificent hits
@terrancebaloyi3921
What a beautiful song. My soul was blown away, as young black people, this is the kind of music we need. One that restores the soul, one that speaks to us. Mainstream music is destructive.
@barbararussell2705
Im glad this group came to appollo theater in harlem to make me aware of their talents this song werks, universally, much love and respect
@justkimmy.8387
Truly love this song😭🔥
@mathutoditshego5459
can't get over the last verse ( please when judgement comes, forgive us Lord for we have made mistakes...)