If you haven’t watched the numerous videos of the infectious South African house music beat, Jerusalema going around the internet then you are new in Jerusalem.
The hit song has an electronic dance rhythm by South African producer Master KG fearing Nomcebo Zikobe has caught the imagination of many around the world, ranging from the police force to months dancing to the tune.
The song is undoubtedly one of the global hits when a hitherto little known South African artists can produce a song that connects people across the globe, taking up the “Jerusalema” dance challenge.
The song producer, Master KG has been a rising star on the South music scene for the last few years winning awards and recognition from the music industry for his innovative approach to music.
The success of the “Jerusalema” is just the fulfillment of an artist who has worked with passion and determination on his journey from a younger age, both as a producer and a performer.
Born Kgaugelo Moagi in a village in the Limpopo province of South Africa in 1996, the dream of being a successful musician for the second born in a family of three began at an early age.
The opportunity to kick start his journey in music came after his uncle bought him a second-hand computer on which he began creating beats from pirated software.
“I loved music but didn’t know how to make it, so I needed time to focus on learning the software, and even when I was in school, my mind would be on my unfinished music,” Master KG recalls.
At Grade 12, he had mastered the skills to create house music beats. That computer turned out to be a blessing since the song of his biggest hits such as “Skeleton Move” was first made in it.
Due to the pressure of performing at weekends and dealing with fame forced him to drop out of school to become a full-time musician.
in 2017, the South African record label Open Mic came calling at his door. At the time, Master KG had just released the single “Situation” that was getting wide airplay on local radio. After striking a deal with the label, the rough copy of the single was mastered and re-released and it currently has 25 million views on Youtube.
Master KG went back to ‘Skeleton Move’ in 2018 that he had composed two years before and added the vocals of singer Zanda Zakuza and additional horn instrumentation, marking his breakthrough.
Then came “Jerusalema” a prayer in Zulu (Ikhaya Lami Jerusalema is my home) featuring vocals of Nomcebo Zikode, a singer also signed by Open Mic label.
“It is a dream come true, priceless,” says Master KG. “Even when you win all these awards the feeling doesn’t diminish. I am asking myself ‘is this me, God is great’.”
Music has been rewarding to the artist in various ways, he has built his mother a house who has previously opposed to his music careers.
“The story of my life is that it doesn’t matter where you come from, everything is possible as long as you believe in yourself,” he says.
Advising his fans, Master KG said: “Do not mind any criticism, just keep following your dream, it might not come true today, but it will eventually happen.”
The young artist is now working on a way to release a deluxe edition of the album of “Jerusalema” containing additional songs.
