Kabelo Mabalane on TKZee, ghostwriting for Benni, solo stardom and being Earl Sweatshirt's brother

Helen Herimbi presents: i(m)bali LIVE featuring Kabelo Mabalane. The legendary kwaito pioneer, pastor and Pantsula for Life speaks to the music journalist and an audience. They talk about: Her parents playing Dionne Warwick all the time (02:40) How heartbreak sent him into music's arms (04:14) The instant connection upon meeting Tokollo Tshabalala (05:15) The name behind his first music group (07:55) Why they couldn't be friends with Zwai Bala at first (09:27) Springbok dreams (10:20) Going overseas for the first time (18:00) The beef between Tokollo and Mdu (19:10) The sound they started with as a group (21:40) Why TKZee's first album bombed (22:40) The name of the group before they settled on TKZee (24:33) When they chose to become part of kwaito's underground (28:00) Palafala and that Joni Mitchell sample (31:55) Writing for Benni McCarthy (34:00) Translating English rap lyrics for kwaito (37:00) Naming their biggest album Halloween (40:38) The story behind Fiasco (45:20) Making a song with Puff Daddy (49:50) The impact Moses Taiwa Molelekwa had on his music and life (55:55) Why It's My House almost didn't happen (1:00:15) Going into rehab (01:03:00) Busting the myth that sobriety doesn't equal creativity (01:09:14) Getting the Bougaluv name (01:10:00) How he discovered his brother is Earl Sweatshirt (1:11:15) Closing his record label (1:15:20) Lucky Dube's death moving him to co-found the Shout organisation (1:16:00) Dealing with insecurities in the public eye (1:22:44) Why he was able to stay clean in the entertainment industry (1:28:00) How running became one of his passions (1:32:35) When he started taking Christianity even more seriously (1:38:35) Becoming Pastor before he was ordained (1:42:00) Addressing gender-based violence and cancel culture (1:45:20) Setting out on the path to entrepreneurship (1:52:00) The revelation of being loved unconditionally (1:59:30) I apologise for the lack of visuals this time around. Technical glitches can't stop the story from being told though. Sound architect: Kitso Moremi. Thumbnail image: Dudu Dube For more information on #imbaliLIVE or to find out how to attend, visit http://www.helenherimbi.co.za Follow Helen at   / uhelenh