An avid Kaizer Chiefs FC supporter, known for his undying love for the soccer team, Mlindelwa Tyekana, affectionately known as Man B, has now ventured into music.
The entrepreneur, who runs businesses in security and construction among many other ventures, is set to release his much-anticipated new single, Thatha Lento, featuring the legendary music producer, Tira, on Friday.
Originally from Ngqeleni, Tyekana now calls East London his home.
He said he journeyed into music because of his deep connection to Kaizer Chiefs.
Tyekana has been a popular feature in a number of social media videos, mainly due to his funny reaction to a series of bad results by his team in the past few years.
“I joined the music scene in a playful way, wanting to relieve stress, and little did I know it would evolve into something much deeper,” he said.
With four unreleased tracks dedicated to the national team, one of his songs even honours Kaizer Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi.
He said this was because of the positive impact and good changes Nabi made in just a few months at the helm of the team popularly known as Amakhosi.
In his first single, Tyekana has featured local artists.
“Some my songs are about Kaizer Chiefs, I have recently done a song about the new coach because he’s brought a positive change,” he said.
In an exclusive interview, the father of two, said music and the team were two beautiful aspects in his life.
Tyekana was adamant that even fame would never come between him and his love for the team.
“There’s nothing that would break my relationship with Kaizer Chiefs. I joined the industry because of the team and my popularity comes from Chiefs.
“I am a well-known supporter even abroad because of Kaizer Chiefs. It is dominating across SA, I have no doubt most of my supporters would be Kaizer Chiefs fans,” he said.
Tyekana said he also wanted to use his recording company, Man B Music, to uplift the province’s talent.
“I would watch young artists trying to make a name in the industry, which is no easy task. I decided to go for big guns, that’s when I decided to approach Tira.”
After his announcement that he was venturing into music, he has scored a number of gigs and has won the hearts of many South Africans.
“Following my appearance on Tira’s live stream, I’ve been inundated with invitations and performance opportunities,” he said.
Tyekana said the loss of multi-award-winning star Zahara was a huge blow for the province.
Since then, he had been trying to find alternatives to boost the Eastern Cape’s talent.
“After Zahara passed away, my heart was broken. I always had a vision of starting a studio in the Eastern Cape.
“This is because I didn’t want our talent to be wasted and see our people leaving for other cities and only come back to be buried.
“I never anticipated I’d become part of the artists that are actually going to carry the idea and sing. My idea was to give talented creatives a platform.”
Tyekana said people should brace themselves for new songs.
“Now that I’m here, I can see I will have to juggle between businesses and my passion. This industry [music industry] wants focus and you have to travel around.
“I have already found myself a manager who will run music-related tasks, mine will be going to the studio and recording.
“I have done many songs, but I haven’t launched them. People should prepare to hear them at events such as Heatwave, Berlin November and festivals,” he said.
Local artist Rapulane Mothlabane, popularly known as Malume Womdantso, who features on his album, said he was honoured to be part of the project.
“Working with Man B and DJ Tira is a blessing. Their humility and positivity create a collaboration that makes sense,” he said.
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