Kabelo spreads the Luv

By Sylvester Haskins

US hip-hop stars Diddy, Jay-Z and 50 Cent started out as musicians and have become influential media moguls and now South Africa's own kwaito star, Kabelo, follows suit.

Stars such as J-Lo and Nelly have used their high profiles in the music industry to attach their names to anything from recording outfits to fashion labels and even energy drinks. (Last year, Nelly famously launched his own energy drink called Pimp juice.)

While Kabelo has not threatened to concoct his own energy drink, he has in the last year laid the foundations of his entertainment empire that includes the recent launch a footwear-line with sports giant Reebok and the formation of his own independent record company.

Kabelo's American hip-hop counterparts Jay-Z and Eminem both own thriving independent record companies – Roca-A-Fella Records and Shady Records, respectively.
The former TKZee band member is co-owner of Groove Luv Records, which he recently founded with kwaito producer D-Rex.

The stable has just released its first act, the kwaito trio Blackjack, that features Kabelo at the helm of the group alongside two other group members.

(Blackjack's debut has received a luke warm response from the public.)

Kabelo has high hopes for his new recording stable, saying: “We want to operate as a strong South African major with South African artists. We want to make sure that money made here stays in the country.”

Kabelo pointed out that Groove Luv will cover a range of artists and music genres.
Says Kabelo: “Our next album is going to be a gospel choir. My album will come later, as well as other house compilations. We are a fully fledged record company.”

The kwaito star has just completed his four-album contract with Electromode Music, that includes his last release The Bouga Luv Album, which has sold more than 70 000 copies since its release late last year.

Kabelo has enjoyed great success as a soloist in the aftermath of TKZee's demise.
He believes that his company will succeed: “We have all the ingredients for success. We have the artists, the talent and God on our side. It has to work.”

Kabelo's faith has been a talking point in the music industry and the performer has made no secret of his desire to become a preacher, as he is currently is engaged in bible studies at the Rhema Bible Church in Randburg.

Kabelo is the first artist outside of the US to land his own footwear line, with Reebok's Rbk campaign that merges sports and music. The campaign is already endorsed by hip-hop artists 50 Cent and Jay-Z.

Kabelo's footwear is distinctly South African in its design and is likely to appeal to the artist's audience.

Kabelo says he is “chuffed” about this latest business venture: “In this industry, as artists, you can do more than just music . You can act or you can have your own footwear, because you are a brand.”

From kwaito kid to mogul

Mid-nineties – Kabelo hooks up with his TKZee counterparts, Zwai and Tokollo, at King Edwards' High School where they matriculated together.

1996 – TKZee becomes an official group ensemble and releases the self-produced Take It Eezy.

1997 – Kabelo and crew release the single Palafala – that would be a catalyst in their rise to national prominence in the local music industry.

1998 – TKZee would release another single in the pre-France 1998 World Cup song, Shibobo, recorded with Banana Banana's star striker Benni McCarthy. The single became the fastest selling record in SA's music history with sales reaching more than 100 000 in just over a month.

1999 – The group released their much anticipated solo album, Halloween, which marked the arrival of the group in the kwaito scene. The album earned them a platinum selling status and saw them win the sought after Best Kwaito Album award at the SAMA awards.

2001 – This year marks the final chapter in TKZee's career. The group release their last album, Trinity, but it is a commercial failure.

2002 – Kabelo's solo career took off after the release of his first single Pantsula for Life that became a platinum selling success.

2003 – The star performs follow–up albums in Rebel With a Cause as well as And the Beat Goes On achieves double platinum sales and solidifies his appeal in the local music industry.

2004 – Kwaito golden boy earns himself the prestigious Best Kwaito Award for his album And the Beat Goes On is at the SAMA's this year. Kabelo later releases his latest The Bouga Luv Album. The album's first single, Love Me or Leave Me Alone earns the performer, yet another platinum selling album.

2005 – Kabelo's releases a brand new album, Industry Hijack, with his new group, Blackjack. The album is released through his own independent record label. Kabelo also signs a three-year contract with Reebok that saw the release of his own line of Reebok footwear.

All they say is: Oh Boy!International Hip-Hop Stars and their special range of Reebok footwear:

50 Cent – The superstar rap artists Reebok footwear range is called G-Unit and features a range of styles from the G6 collection to the most recent GXT range. 50 Cent has developed his G-Unit empire that includes a G-Unit record company, clothing label and music group.

Jay-Z – his footwear is called the Sean Carter collection. It has produced two issues with the latest being the Sean Carter Tennis II range. Jay-Z is considered a rap legend. He is currently the CEO of US hip-hop label giant – Def Jam, a job he juggles in tandem with running his own independent record label in Roc-A-Fella Records.

Story by: Tonight