Maskandi Star Mthandeni SK Reveals His Secret to Success

Maskandi star Mthandeni “Mthandeni SK” Manqele has opened up about the formula behind his consistent festive season hits. The musician from eMdletsheni, KwaZulu-Natal, says that taking risks and collaborating across genres are key to his ongoing success.

In 2024, Mthandeni made history as the first maskandi artist to win the Sama Record of the Year Award for his song Paris, featuring Lwah Ndlunkulu. This year, he is nominated in three Sama categories for Gucci, featuring Mawhoo, aiming to secure Record of the Year again. His latest single, Dubai, also featuring Mawhoo, is topping the charts and getting Mzansi dancing.

Mthandeni told Daily Sun that his willingness to try new things and start unexpected projects sets him apart. “I can safely say that I’m the first maskandi musician to take risks by introducing new ideas in the genre and succeed with them. That’s helped develop maskandi as a whole,” he said. He noted that early on, some people resisted his innovations, but eventually, his approach influenced others.

Originally from the uThukela River area in northern KZN, Mthandeni has also brought guitar styles from southern KwaZulu-Natal into his music. His collaboration with internationally acclaimed maskandi guitarist Mbuzeni Mkhize resulted in a new maskandi subgenre called Woolies, which is currently trending.

He explained that his process often begins with experimenting on instruments and introducing new sounds at live events like the Dundee July, before layering vocals. “Other musicians are starting to feature female artists from different genres, but they’re still not reaching my level because I combine many things in my new sound,” he said.

Mthandeni also highlighted his recent release strategy as part of his risk-taking approach. Instead of a full album, he released a four-track EP and two singles, all of which became hits, despite fans expecting a traditional album.

He added that the era of attacking other musicians and focusing solely on albums is over. Mthandeni is also pleased that his songs are back on Spotify after being temporarily removed, ensuring his music reaches fans worldwide.

Through innovation, collaboration, and calculated risks, Mthandeni SK continues to shape the future of maskandi music while keeping listeners engaged and entertained.