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JOE Nina, popular musician, respected producer and now turned film star is back with his latest block buster album called “Egogogweni (ola)" At 24 Joe Nina has done it all: he had his own recording company “Killer Joe Production" wrote a soundtrack for the movie “Jump the Gun" and also starred in it. He has composed and produced mega hits albums.
The album “Egogogweni (ola)" offers different blends of music - township groove, hip hop, fusion and reggae. “Egogogweni" is township settlements. This track preaches the concept of living together in harmony. Another track “But Not Our Soul" is a jazz fusion track performed by Joe Nina and Fana Zulu, a renowned bass player. “Asseblief" is a vibey and energetic fun track sung in township slang.
Joe Nina was born Henry Makhosini Xaba in Kwa-Thema in the East Rand township. He grew up in a musical household and he was raised to become a musician. His father, Solomon was a guitar and saxophonist player back then during the Sophiatown days. His mother, Lettie did backing vocals for his father’s band, the Shamings. Little Joe Nina, aged three, happily accompanied Mom and Dad to gigs (where they were going to perform) sometimes to venues as far as Swaziland.
Aged twelve, Joe Nina would play drums and sing, thanks to his father’s expert coaching. By the age of fourteen Joe Nina knew the basic technique of the piano. He was not lazy when it came to school work. His favourite subjects were mathematics and physical science as his goal was to study medicine at university.
Instrumentation:
vocals, bandleader, arranger
Genre:
mbaqanga, kwaito
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None of his family members were surprised, when, at sixteen Joe Nina announced his intentions to pursue a musical career. His father understood the desire that drove Joe Nina to music. Solomon gave him an ultimatum - one year to prove himself, and should things not work out he would go back to complete his standard nine.
Joe Nina started to frequent Blue Tree Studio, which became his hang out. He would watch out what was going on in the studio, and when the engineers were not busy they would let him try his hand at the mixing desk. In 1991, at seventeen Joe Nina began training as sound engineer. Between his training sessions, and when he was left alone in the studio he would record demo tapes. He then went around shopping for a recording deal but to no avail.
In 1991 he teamed up with Arthur Mafokate, and wrote a song called Com Com for Coca Cola Full Blast Talent Search. The track won first prize. Afterwards Joe Nina was offered a post of sound engineering and programming by Solly Molepo of Soul Man Sol Productions. It was not long before Joe Nina persuaded his employers to give him a shot at producing an album. The result was an album called “La Beat Volume 3" which consisted of remixes and some original compositions like “Rose of the Road" True to form, this became the album’s plug track. The album achieved platinum sales. This album was followed by “Ding Dong" The first single from this album was “Maria Bodesta" which became an instant hit with revellers, Joe Nina was on his way to stardom.
In 1995 his brothers, Vusi, Jeff and Thabo formed a group called “Nina Brothers" (Thabo subsequently left the group). His sister Nonhlanhla was once a member of Joe Nina’s band, providing backing vocals and as a dancer. Nonhlanhla left the band to finish her schooling. Recently his father has released a new album entitled “Khamba" after a long lull from the music scene. Joe Nina has since released dance hits like: “Joy" “One Two One" Joe Nina’s Rain Down" and “Talk to Me"
Joe Nina has produced mega hits including: “Abantu Bayakuluma" performed by Brenda Fassie, “Umona" by Patricia Majalisa, “Party" by Luv, “I’m in Love" by Twins, and some tracks on Sharon Dee’s “Sonke Siyaphila" album. He has also worked with music legends like Ray Phiri, Mara Louw and Hugh Masekala.
The highlight of his career was when, he together with Ray Phiri started a record company called “Killer Joe Productions" in September 1996. Some of the artists to come out of “Killer Joe Productions" include: Cyder, D Style and New Perspective.
Joe Nina was enthralled at the opportunity he was given when he was assigned to write the soundtrack for “Jump the Gun" which was on circuit last year.
His latest projects include: remixing Qcumba Zoo’s latest album, and he also did a remix of Lebo M’s track "Uthando Lwami" from the “Deeper Meaning" album.
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