Johannesburg, 30 August 2024 – Abantu, a trio of dance music producers and DJs from Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, in collaboration with Gallo Remixed, releases an EP featuring dance remixes of the late Maskandi legend Bhekumuzi Luthuli’s hit tracks titled Bheka Le 3-Step. The trio—Milkoeh, OxygenBuntu, and Melcesa—share the same hometown as Luthuli and have chosen to remix his music as a tribute to his legendary catalogue.

The 4-track EP features remixes of Bhekumuzi’s classic songs such as Inkinga Ngu R7, Impempe, Ungenzani, and Empangeni. The lead single, Empangeni, was released on July 12th, a day before Bhekumuzi’s birthday.

The songs were curated to resonate with the underlying messages they convey. Inspired by the vibrant dance floor culture and contemporary house music scene in South Africa, Abantu reinterpreted these themes through a three-step afro-tech house music lens. “The trio con Bhekumuzi’s musical style and extending the embedded messages to a wider youth audience, particularly those unfamiliar with Maskandi,” Milkoeh shares.

Speaking on the inspiration behind the EP the Melcesa shares, “Growing up in Empangeni, we were profoundly influenced by Maskandi music, a genre deeply rooted in the region. Maskandi is an ever-present sound, largely due to our neighbours who are passionate fans. Bhekumuzi’s unique take on Maskandi distinguished him from his peers and deepened our appreciation for the genre.”

Abantu is a dynamic group of dance producers and DJs comprised of Milkoeh, OxygenBuntu, and Melcesa. United by their passion for maskandi, the trio collaborates to create music that honors the legendary sounds they grew up with. Originating from different parts of Richards Bay in KwaZulu-Natal, they blend their cultural heritage with dance, afro tech, and electronic music to reimagine the nostalgic rhythms that shaped their upbringing.

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Phumelelo Mhlanga – 010 634 5016