A feat of specific scale is seducing listeners with pleasant-sounding lilts; whipped into shape — on the crux of a chiming picturesque sculpt of berceuse. Endorsed to espouse its epistle prompter and get the better of garden-fresh-leapt tonal pattern skylines; it will take oodles of jostling, for meek yet decrying audiences — used to an abrupt consummation of art, melody, and literature — to turn a blind eye at fired up singer-songwriter and canon-creating duo Mavisto & MuTeo.
The South African sonic gems last month charted suit a preceding putative path of pulling off mesmeric cantabile releases in the tail end of the year; by hatching a ruddier debut EP (extended play) called ‘uThando’, somewhat in the décolletage of the festive season. Visibly crossing over — the weight of the merits whelped in the fall of a fat 12-month time period — into an alien territory, on the summit of an untouched year 2024.
In this scenario; a widespread potpourri of forecasts patent with the new hope of solving last year’s conundrum in the prickle of a measly fear of seriously gaffing the anonymous future, somersaults — on the face of a gargantuan revival, lumping together the zeal to augment resolutions acquiesced. Music to the ears neighbouring, this marks a charismatic harmonious odyssey into the intricacies of love, life trials, and the fête of African birthright. The EP, (‘uThando’), containing a mixt array of opuses; encapsulates the quintessence of Mavisto & MuTeo’s idiosyncratic sound and the pair’s mission to whittle a niche in the universal dance scene.
What is superb about the beat-making duet is that — even though Nhlanzeko Dlamini branded on-stage as Mavisto’s artistic journey began as a dancer, while MuTeo identified off-stage as Siphamandla Talent Mahlangu’s early interest in keys as well as trills evolved into a successful career as a producer and DJ; they share one mutual cradle strand.
Hailing from the animated coastal city of Richards Bay — in KwaZulu Natal; they draw stimulation from icons such as Black Coffee a Disc Jockey, record producer and composer, Zakes Bantwini a singer and record producer, Afrotech pioneer and musical artist Shimza, DJ and music producer Prince Kaybee, as well as King Monada a singer, songwriter, and record producer.
Before becoming Mavisto & MuTeo, the two staunch groove heads mellow with scorching vibes; crossed paths in 2017 at a euphony event where after separately delivering swish executions, both parties reciprocally decided to pursue chanted composition together, based on their mutual approbation for each other’s discrete auditory sensations.
After teaming up, the singer-songwriter tune-fashioning duo would work with acclaimed artists such as musical artist Blaklez, DJ Jim MasterShine a music producer, and Sands a Swazi musician, performer and artist. Churning out a fusion of diverse rhythmic influences; Mavisto & MuTeo’s debut offering — ‘Kobanini’ — trotted on a crest of waves in the dance community. With the lead jam securing a spot on Traxsource’s Top 10 Afro House Chart.
Hurling such stamp of authority — having at the outset signed with FS World Records, led by Fisoh Seni in 2022; Mavisto & MuTeo later amalgamated forces with Warner Music Africa (WMA), propelling their careers to a spick-and-span height above sea level. And at this instant, the pitch contour audible communication-constructing duo’s cutting-edge ditty craft ‘uThando’ is on the wing — in an incandescence of grandeur.
Gusto overly involved brazenly; numbers such as ‘uThando’ and ‘Buya Darly’ — serve as poignant duplications on anguish and the pining to reignite gone astray love. Engendering something distinct, these splendidly converting gushes are slyly borne through soulful blues and heartfelt lyrics, perfected by impactful Afro-House productions. In the intervening time, the tinkle tracks — ‘Impumelelo’ and ‘WeMhlaba’ — needle life’s tests head-on. Echoing with folks go-getting for coup d’état, in spite of pebbledash hitches.
Fairly incredible, Mavisto & MuTeo are quite spurring to action listeners to endure and bait forte from within. Eking out a worldwide invitation to savoir-faire the gassy tapestry of their whopping ballad creation ‘uThando’; strictly gratifying is the banger ‘African Anthem’, a smash hit reminiscent of how this endowed pair from Mzansi is a house of zing.
Factually hugged on the atlas, Mavisto & MuTeo profess anything other than the gentlest salutations for the latter birdcall: “This song is a celebration of African roots and black identity. Our aim is to keep the rich tapestry of African history alive through music, fostering unity across different African nations.”
Grant Moyo is a prolific writer, innovative media personality, entrepreneur and a creative artist who is passionate about using his creative mind for the betterment of society. Follow him on X: @TotemGrant