Kususa
Landscapeyes
OriginDurban, South Africa
GenreHouse · EDM · techno · afro house
Years active2016–present
LabelBack Noise Music Africa
Associated actsBlack Coffee · Shimza
Current membersJoshua Sokweba
Mncedi Tshicila

Kususa is an electronic dance music DJ and production duo originating from Durban, South Africa, consisting of Joshua Sokweba, known as Kunzima Theology, and Mncedi Tshicila, known as Samurai Yasusa.[1] They create electronic dance music containing elements of house, afro house and techno.[2] The duo's name Kususa is both a combination of the pair's stage names and a word which, when roughly translated into the Zimbabwean language of Shona, means "to start over".[3]

History

Kususa started producing and DJing together in 2016 when they worked on their debut EP titled Kusuka Sukela, which was later released in 2017 by the United Kingdom record label, DM Recordings.[4] In early 2017, they released a remix for the single Traveller by South African singer Lizwi and producer DeMajor,[4] which was nominated in the 2017 Dance Music Awards South Africa, for Remix of the Year[5] and was also featured on Black Coffee’s Ibiza 17 Appreciation Mix[4] and later in 2018 featured on Defected Records's Ibiza 2018 Compilation mixed by Sam Divine.[6][7] In that same year, their remix Feel It Now by Cornelius SA, featuring singer Jackie Queens, was nominated in the 2018 South Africa Music Awards, for Remix of the Year. The duo was also nominated for Best producer.[8]

In early 2019, the duo performed at the Cape Town Electronic Music Festival which took place at the Castle of Good Hope.[9] Later that year they performed at Ultra South Africa alongside Black Coffee.[10]

Members

  • Joshua Sokweba
  • Mncedi Tshicila

Awards and nominations

YearAward ceremonyPrizeResult
2017Dance Music Awards South AfricaRemix of The Year[11]
2018rowspan="6"=|Dance Music Awards South AfricaRemix of The Year[12]
Best Producer[12]
2019Remix of the Year[13]
Compilation of the Year
Best Underground Record
Best Producer
2023Metro FM Music AwardsBest House Song[14]
Best Collaborative Song

Discography

  • Kusuka Sukela (2017)
  • Icilongo (2017)
  • Inkinobo (2017)
  • I See You EP (2018)
  • Ubomi EP (2022)
  • A Life Worth Living (2024)

Guest appearances

TitleYearOther artist(s)Album
"Slide"2022Vanco, BonokuhleMotherland

Singles

As lead artist

List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name
TitleYearPeak chart positionsCertificationsAlbum
ZA
"Abantu Bakho" (featuring Naak Musiq, Zahara)202118Ubomi
"Asanda" (Kususa, Argento Dust, Zakes Bantwini)20221RiSA: Platinum
"Duda" (Joezi, Kususa featuring Maline Aura)2023—
"Uyingozi" (Funky Qla, Zaba, Kususa, Argento Dust)—Dark or Durban EP
"Ematshwaleni" (Kususa, Anatii featuring MaWhoo, Noxolo Ngema, King Deetoy)2024—
"Overcome" (Naak, Kususa, Tau (BW)—
"Pink Diamond Sky" (Kususa, Biishop)2026—
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

References

  1. ^ "Durban's rising afro-house DJs nominated for Dance Music Awards". iol.co.za. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  2. ^ Pasiya, Lutho (12 September 2019). "Durban's rising afro-house DJs nominated for Dance Music Awards". IOL. Archived 14 September 2019 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
  3. ^ "AFRICA IS NOT A JUNGLE: HOW BLACK COFFEE IS LEADING A MUSIC INDUSTRY REVOLUTION". mixmag.net. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  4. ^ "KUSUSA AND FKA MASH IN THE LAB JOHANNESBURG". mixmag.net. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  5. ^ "Black Coffee, Bucie and more nominated for Dance Music Awards South Africa". News24. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  6. ^ "Defected Ibiza 2018 – 3 x CD". Defected Records. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  7. ^ "Sam Divine mixes ‘Defected Ibiza 2018’". datatransmission.co. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  8. ^ "The nominees for the Dance Music Awards South Africa are out". Live Magazine. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  9. ^ "Cape Town Electronic Music Festival Set To Have 3 Different Stages". Just Nje. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  10. ^ "Kususa To Join Black Coffee At Ultra South Africa". Zkhiphani. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  11. ^ "2017 DMASA nominees announced". bizcommunity.com. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  12. ^ "And The Dance Music Award Nominees Are!". People Magazine. Archived from the original on 29 November 2020. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  13. ^ "Dance Music Awards South Africa 2019: All the winners". Music in Africa. 2019-10-04. Retrieved 2024-07-26.
  14. ^ "Metro FM Music Awards 2023: Full List of Nominees". Slikouronlife. 2023-03-30. Retrieved 2024-06-13.