First ever collaboration by the multi award winning American legend with an African artist is something the history of music has to record.

ARTICLE

 How did it happen before his long world tours?

By Rofhiwa Maneta

Searching: Before the citys own brand of kwaito even existed, Durban-based Sandy B was already making a name for himself with the release of Amajovi Jovi. Photo: Sandile Ndlovu

For better or worse, Sandy B has always been an artist ahead of his time. In 1994, the Durban-based artist released Amajovi Jovi — an infectious lo-fi kwaito number with the laconic flow and thumping basslines that would go on to typify kwaito. It was kwaito before the genre even existed.

“That record has followed me wherever I go,” Sandy B says. “In the years that have followed, I’ve released a deep house album and an Afro-pop album but people still refer to me as a kwaito artist. I can’t seem to run away from that record.”

For the unacquainted, the story goes something like this: the success of Amajovi Jovi led to a meeting with Oskido and Don Laka, shortly after they founded Kalawa Jazmee Records.

“Oskido was crazy about Amajovi Jovi.