Malumz on Decks

Origin| Johannesburg, South Africa
Genres|

* House
* Afro house
* Deep House

Years active| 2016–present
Labels|

* OWN IT MUSIC
* Music Central Africa

Members| Oscar Nyathi
Mandla Mtshali

Malumz on Decks is a house music DJ and producer duo originating from South Africa, consisting of Oscar Nyathi and Mandla Mtshali. Their name "Malumz" when translated from Zulu, means "Uncles".[1]

## History

[edit]

Malumz on Decks music group members are originally from Ekurhuleni, east of Johannesburg. Before they became a duo, the Kempton Park residents were on separate paths with different names. Mtshali, also known as Mandla the DJ, was in partnership with Noxious Deejay, who was a solo music producer at the time, while Nyathi was a promoter who later became a DJ. The duo often spent time together before they eventually became friends and supported each other during their respective gigs.[2]

In 2017, they released their debut album The journey. A year later they released their single, "Shay’ Number" which became the most played song on South African radio stations.[3]

In June 2019, they released the album Find Your Way which featured singers KB Motsilanyane on the single "Taba tsa ha" and Moneoa on the single "I’m Moving On".[4] In that same year, To further expand the duo's vision in 2020 they partnered up with Roro Morudi and relaunched Jubilee Vibes, a shisa nyama in Kempton Park.[2] The duo has also received recognition and nominations for their songs. Later that year, they were nominated for Record of the Year at the 2019 South African Music Awards. The album, Find Your Way which brought them the SAMA Song of the year nominated single "Shayi’Number", was further recognised by gaining three more SAMA nominations at the 2020 South African Music Awards. The duo is also signed as resident DJs on Metro FM's Urban Beat.[5]

In October 2020, their third album Afro Is Africa. The album featured collaborations from local musicians SoulStar, Eltonnick, Lizwi, Bontle Smith, Tabia, Lizwi, Khanyisa and DOT.[6]

Their single "S'vuthela iNumber" featuring Murumba Pitch was released on August 26, 2021. The song debuted number 1 on Channel 0 Top 30.[7]

At the end of October 2023, Malumz teased their single "Teka", a collaboration with Mpho.Wav, captioned "Counting down to November 10". The song was released on November 10, 2023. It debuted number 4 on Radio Monitor Chart.

Their extended play Uzuri, was released on May 24, 2024.[8]

## Musical style

[edit]

They create house music containing elements of afro house and Deep house, combining live instruments such as bass, keyboards, percussions, flute, and vocals with samplers, effects and synths.[1] Explaining their musical style:

> Different songs give us different feelings and it's almost as if we can feel the energy or potential to get people on the dance floor, as well as visualise how people will move to the music. A lot of music moves us emotionally, whether it makes us sad, happy, hyper, energetic or relaxed. We find music to be extremely powerful.[2]

## Members

[edit]

* Oscar Nyathi – basslines, kicks, vocals, percussions
* Mandla Mtshali – melodies, chords, drums, piano

## Awards and nominations

[edit]

Year  | Award ceremony  | Prize  | Result

|
|
|

2019  | South African Music Award | Record of the Year  | Nominated
2020  | South African Music Award | Best Dance Album  | Nominated[9]
Best Duo/Group of the Year  | Nominated
Best Remix of the Year  | Won[10]
2021 | South African Music Award | Best Produced Video  | Nominated[11]

## Discography

[edit]

* The Journey (2017)
* Find Your Way (2019)
* Afro Is Africa (2020)
* Uzuri (2024)
* Abadu (with Zulu Mageba) (2024)

### As lead artist

[edit]

List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name  Title  | Year  | Peak chart positions  | Certifications | Album

|
|
|
|

"Teka" (Malumz on Decks, Mpho.Wav)  | 2023  | 4  |  | Uzuri
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

### Guest appearances

[edit]

Title  | Year  | Other artist(s)  | Album

|
|
|

"Rain Down"  | 2024  | Mpho.Wav, Fasto 98  | Book of Wav

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "Malumz on Deck planning to hit the big time". Retrieved 27 April 2021 – via PressReader.
2. ^ a b c "Kempton's malumz (uncles) bring kasi vibes to the city". kemptonexpress.co.za. 27 December 2019. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
3. ^ "Where did it all begin for Malumz on Decks?". iol.co.za. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
4. ^ "Where did it all begin for Malumz on Decks?". Zkhiphani. July 2019. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
5. ^ "Three Sama nominations for Malumz on Decks". kemptonexpress.co.za. 29 July 2020. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
6. ^ "Malumz On Decks Unveil Latest Album Titled 'Afro Is Africa'". shomag.com. 31 October 2020. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
7. ^ "Malumz on Decks debut at #1— Channel O Top 30". Dstv. 2021-09-03. Retrieved 2024-07-28.
8. ^ Shumba, Ano (2024-05-24). "SA: Malumz on Decks drops Uzuri EP | Music In Africa". Music In Africa. Retrieved 2024-05-25.
9. ^ "SAMA26 nominations unearth fresh new gems". mzansimagic.dstv.com. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
10. ^ "Here's a List of the 2020 South African Music Awards (SAMAs) Winners". Okay Africa. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
11. ^ "Samas 27: Nominations are out and men are leading the nods". The Citizen. 19 May 2021. Retrieved 20 May 2021.

## External links

[edit]

* Malumz on Decks on Instagram