How Durban Kwasa came About
Kwassa kwassa (or kwasa kwasa) refers to a dance rhythm from Congo (DRC), where the hips move back and forth while the hands move to follow the hips – that was very popular in Africa in the late 1980s. The words “kwassa kwassa” may have come from the French quoi ça? (what is it?). The dance was created by Pepe Kalle, and popularized by his soukous music videos, as well as the videos of Kanda Bongo Man and other Congolese musicians.
Later, in other parts of Africa, the dance became a synonym for soukous music, which is still often referred to as kwassa kwassa. A slower version of this genre has been created and popularized by Koffi Olomide and his band Quarter Latin. Their songs have enjoyed massive airplay throughout Africa in countries like Botswana, Zimbabwe,South Africa, Senegal and others.
Now in South Africa there two driving forces :
Durban’s Finest comprises of two of Durban’s most popular disc jockeys (deejay’s) Mthokozi Khathi (1976 August 24) who is fondly known as DJ Tira and DJ Sox whose real name is Mbusi Sokhela (1977 September 14)
Durbans Finest has just released Durbans Finest Vol2 – Finest Level which has been rated the best compilation to come since Fresh House Flava Vol4. It comes as no surprised as the album is co-produced by DJ Fresh. This album features 2005 Black Coffee remix of Stimela SaseZola by Mbongeni Ngema which the boys call Finest Train. Other Hot tracks on the album are Sphelele la performed by Durbans Finest featuring T’zozo En Professor produced by Mahoota. This album also show cased DJ Tira and DJ Sox producing skills with the tracks like the controversial Tiras Boot 2 by DJ Tira and Usenzani By DJ Sox. The album kicks off with sing along track My Story by Bonzai another locally produced track which makes all in all 5 locally produced tracks on the album. This album proves Durbans Finest continues to grow in the music industry and there is still a lot to come in the future.