Don Dada Continues To Push Boundaries For Reggae In Mzansi.
Humantarian, RuFF CuTT Studio owner, Radio Host, and recording multi-platinum selling Menelik Nesta Gibbons aka DON DADA continuously pushing boundaries, changing the norm, and quickly moving beyond static thinking by reinventing the game. He is fast becoming an industry thought leader by breaking tradition and creating ground-breaking possibilities for growth for himself and others in the music business.
Don Dada in the entertainment industry has achieved a great deal as a Reggae/Hip-Hop artist and social influencer since he made his debut on the prestige 2016 Mandela Day Concert stage in Johannesburg South Africa. Don Dada's boldness and unwavering passion for Africa to RISE, has not only achieved a great deal as a Reggae/Hip-Hop artist and social influencer but also as someone who wants to make a positive impact in the lives of others by taking steps to close the African millennium goal as help eliminate poverty his vision includes united Africans encouraging the youths at home and abroad to step into their destiny without fear and continue shining the light through education and unity.
For Multi-platinum selling artiste Menelik Nesta “Don Dada” Gibbons, post-lockdown has been a whirlwind of very hard work bagging a few really good achievements. He adds that he was lucky as he made sure to stay relevant by adapting and being at the forefront of multiple digital concerts locally and internationally. He is quick to add that now we battle load shedding, and it again affects the entertainment industry noting that he is again fortunate to still be in the game receiving offers and performing. By constantly recreating and reshaping himself and his brand within the entertainment industry, Don Dada has been unwavering in his quest to revive Reggae Music as a sort-after Genre and has hit the Northern Johannesburg partnering with legendary Musos to form a Band that was well received by Hardrock Café Johannesburg that he filled to 85% capacity on the 11th of May. Just before his set started he was presented with custom-made shoes branded with his DON DADA logo by The Lab Shop L38A Sandton City. His show caught the eye of Rohan Marley who gave the thumbs up on his performance on his Instagram page and also SABC trends who pitched up at the show to Interview the legends scroll to 45min to view our footage.
This also caught the attention of Poppy’s a renowned venue that has since invited Don Dada and Band to perform on the 30th of June.
Don Dada is striving to continue this trend until the doors are open to REGGAE artists. He is thankful to Bogartman Store for their unwavering support and sponsorship.
Don Dada: Internationally acclaimed Multi-Platinum Artist, Don Dada's music is produced locally and internationally, his catalogue of music has productions by legendary renowned producers such as Sly & Robbie, Delroy Thompson, Sir Clement “Coxstone” Dodd, Leroy Scarlet founder of the Reggae Powerhouse Band, Grammy Award winner Touter Harvey to name a few. Don Dada is the only artist worldwide to have a claim to 3 official Mandela tracks. He has performed with many prominent artists such as Cat Coore[3rdWorld], Legendary Mahotella Queens, Julian Marley, Everton Blender, Beenie Man, Demarco, Sizzla Kalonji, Richie Spice and many more. Don Dada has Performed on many massive platforms across the world, to name a few: MTN Mandela Day 2016, Mandela 100th 2018, Bob Marley Tribute Concert 2019 Kingston Jamaica, Everton Blender Heads High Kenya, Shooting Stars Zimbabwe and President Emmerson Mnangagwa Inauguration after party ICC Zimbabwe, Marcus Garvey Inaugural Unity Benefit concert and Jamaica 59 Independence celebration concert. His VIVA Mandela (2017) track gained Multi-Platinum selling status within a short 4 months of release, with his music begin distributed through Legendary, Honourable BOB MARLEY’s TUFF GONG INTERNATIONAL.
AusTebza: BASSIST: Award Winning Bassist, Singer, Songwriter, Arranger, Music Director, and Mentor. AusTebza is the first black female musician to be part of the South African Music Awards house band for 3 years.
She is the first black woman to play for a band in a tv production called The Respect Show AusTebza has performed on prominent stages including the Makhana Festival, Joy of Jazz, Joburg Arts Alive festival, Reunion Islands, a SADC tour supported by Proheveltia and Corporate Events AusTebza has worked with A-list musicians on and off stage including recording several albums with some. HHP, KB Motsilenyane, Maxhoba, Simphiwe Dana, Gangs of Instrumenta, Laurie Levine, Proverb, Buhlebendalo, Wouter Kellerman(2 time Grammy winner), Gloria Bosman. AusTebza is well traveled having performed on stages in Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Nigeria, USA, Jamaica, Germany, Australia, Italy, India, Quate, Reunion Islands etc.
Rashid Larne: Composer Pianist Award-winning internationally acclaimed composer, arranger, pianist, producer, and recording artist. Performed at the "World Cup 2010 Kick-Off Celebration Concert" in South Africa, where he performed with John Legend, Angelique Kidjo, Shakira, Alicia Keyes, and Black-eyed Peas.
Also worked with Chaka Khan, Paul Simon, Jackson Browne, Will.I.AM, Randy Brecker, Ray Parker Jr., Lew Soloff, Hugh Masekela, Ernie Watts, Bobby Womack, Slash, The UN Jazz Orchestra, Verdine White, Jonathan Butler, and the world-famous Agape International Choir, to name a few. Rashid moved to Los Angeles from his native South Africa in 1994 with scholarships to the University of Southern California and the Musicians’ Institute in Hollywood. A year later he was invited to be the Musical Director for the launch of the Lion King album “Rhythm of the Pridelands”, featuring musicians from the bands of Stevie Wonder, Madonna, Adam & the Ants, and Yanni.
Veli Shabangu: Production\ percussions/composer with a long list of musical credits against his name from production\of percussions/composer of musical pieces with the likes of Lucky Dube [several], Mahotella Queens, Jabu Khanyile, Lakim, Soweto String Quartet, Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Oliver Mtukudzi to name a few.
A Legendary percussionist who was part of the Lucky Dube band for well over a decade before moving on the work in Jamaica and then the United Kingdom as producer/percussionist for renowned musos such as Burning Spear, Sizzla Kalonji, Historyman Played an instrumental role [Set-up, Drummer, host] with Menelik Nesta Gibbons aka Don Dada on: Marcus Garvey Inaugural Unity Benefit concert and Jamaica 59th Independence celebration concert Veli has performed as a permanent feature on stages such as Jamaica Sunsplash.
Ngwato Mapalakanye: Guitarist / Composer / Sound Engineered As part of Don Dada's directive in cultivating collaborations with upcoming artists and providing a platform for young talent to gain experience working in the music industry, he draws on phenomenal students that show extreme promise early on in their careers. Enter, Ngwato Mapalakanye, both an extraordinary guitarist & exceptional music composer, currently studying at the same institution where Don Dada studied sound engineering, the Academy of Sound Engineering in Auckland Park.
His skill set both within the technical side of music creation as well as on the guitar, makes him a shining music artist and one to watch to become one of the greatest new-coming guitarists currently in SA. Don Dada's plea to other social influencers “The word that reaches the furthest the fastest comes from social influencers so I encourage Africans at home and abroad to use your voice and platforms to encourage others to come together as one to build that better and progressive Africa #LetAfricaLead” at home and abroad. Let's work TOGETHER, lets open doors for ALL, ONE FOR ANOTHER"
