TKZee: Legendary South African Kwaito Music Group

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TKZee is a legendary South African kwaito music group that formed in the 1990s. Comprised of three school friends, Tokollo Tshabalala, Kabelo Mabalane, and Zwai Bala, they quickly rose to fame with their catchy tunes and energetic performances.

Their breakthrough came in the late 1990s with hit singles like “Palafala” and “Shibobo,” which topped the charts and became instant classics. Despite an initial setback with their debut EP, “Take It Easy,” released in 1996, they bounced back with their second EP, “Phalafala,” in December 1997. This EP featured the hit song of the same name, which sampled Joni Mitchell’s “Big Yellow Taxi” and sold over 100,000 units.

Their collaboration with soccer star Benni McCarthy for the 1998 FIFA World Cup anthem, “Shibobo,” catapulted them to even greater success. The song, which included samples of Europe’s “The Final Countdown,” became the fastest and biggest-selling CD single by a South African artist in history.

In 1998, TKZee released their first full album, “Halloween,” which featured smash hits like “Dlala Mapansula,” “Mambotjie,” and “We Love This Place.” The album achieved Platinum status with sales of over 200,000 copies and earned the group four South African Music Awards (SAMA), including Best Kwaito Album and Best Duo/Group.

After an eight-year hiatus, TKZee reunited in 2008, delighting fans with tours both locally and internationally. In 2009, they released their third album, “Coming Home,” featuring singles like “Sdudla” and “Dikakapa.” Their performance of “Shibobo” at the opening ceremony of the 2010 FIFA World Cup further solidified their status as icons of South African music.

Tragically, in August 2022, Tokollo Tshabalala passed away at the age of 45 due to complications from an epileptic seizure. His family revealed that he had developed epilepsy following a severe brain injury sustained in a car accident in 2001. Despite this loss, TKZee’s legacy continues to resonate with fans both in South Africa and around the world.

Discography

Here’s TKZee’s discography:

Singles:

1. “Take It Easy” (1996)
2. “Phalafala” (1997)
3. “Masimbela” (1997)
4. “Shibobo” (1998)
5. “Dlala Mapansula” (1998)
6. “Mambotjie/We Love This Place” (1999)
7. “Fiasco” (1999)
8. “Izinja Zam” (2000)
9. “Ibola lethu” (2002)
10. “S’dudla” (2009)
11. “Dikakapa” (2010)

Albums/EPs:

1. Take It Eazy (1996)
2. Phalafala (1997)
3. Shibobo (1998)
4. Halloween (1998)
5. Guz 2001 (TKZee family) (1999)
6. Trinity (2001)
7. Guz hits (2004)
8. Coming Home (2009)

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