Kususa is an electronic dance music DJ and production duo originating from Durban, South Africa, consisting of Joshua Sokweba, known as Kunzima Theology, and Mncedi Tshicila, known as Samurai Yasusa.[1] They create electronic dance music containing elements of house, afro house and techno.[2] The duo's name Kususa is both a combination of the pair's stage names and a word which, when roughly translated into the Zimbabwean language of Shona, means "to start over".[3]

Kususa
OriginDurban, South Africa
Genres
Years active2016–present
LabelsBack Noise Music Africa
MembersJoshua Sokweba
Mncedi Tshicila

History

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Kususa started producing and DJing together in 2016 when they worked on their debut EP titled Kusuka Sukela, which was later released in 2017 by the United Kingdom record label, DM Recordings.[4] In early 2017, they released a remix for the single Traveller by South African singer Lizwi and producer DeMajor,[4] which was nominated in the 2017 Dance Music Awards South Africa, for Remix of the Year[5] and was also featured on Black Coffee’s Ibiza 17 Appreciation Mix[4] and later in 2018 featured on Defected Records's Ibiza 2018 Compilation mixed by Sam Divine.[6][7] In that same year, their remix Feel It Now by Cornelius SA, featuring singer Jackie Queens, was nominated in the 2018 South Africa Music Awards, for Remix of the Year. The duo was also nominated for Best producer.[8]

In early 2019, the duo performed at the Cape Town Electronic Music Festival which took place at the Castle of Good Hope.[9] Later that year they performed at Ultra South Africa alongside Black Coffee.[10]

Members

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  • Joshua Sokweba
  • Mncedi Tshicila

Awards and nominations

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Year Award ceremony Prize Result Ref.
2017 Dance Music Awards South Africa Remix of The Year Nominated [11]
2018 Dance Music Awards South Africa Remix of The Year Nominated [12]
Best Producer Nominated [12]
2019 Remix of the Year Nominated [13]
Compilation of the Year Nominated
Best Underground Record Nominated
Best Producer Nominated
2023 Metro FM Music Awards Best House Song Nominated [14]
Best Collaborative Song Nominated

Discography

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  • Kusuka Sukela (2017)
  • Icilongo (2017)
  • Inkinobo (2017)
  • I See You EP (2018)
  • Ubomi EP (2022)
  • A Life Worth Living (2024)

Guest appearances

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Title Year Other artist(s) Album
"Slide" 2022 Vanco, Bonokuhle Motherland

Singles

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As lead artist

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List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
ZA
"Abantu Bakho" (featuring Naak Musiq, Zahara) 2021 18 Ubomi
"Asanda" (Kususa, Argento Dust, Zakes Bantwini) 2022 1 RiSA: Platinum
"Duda" (Joezi, Kususa featuring Maline Aura) 2023 Non-album single
"Uyingozi" (Funky Qla, Zaba, Kususa, Argento Dust) Dark or Durban EP
"Ematshwaleni" (Kususa, Anatii featuring MaWhoo, Noxolo Ngema, King Deetoy) 2024 Non-album single
"Overcome" (Naak, Kususa, Tau (BW) Non-album single
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

References

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  1. ^ "Durban's rising afro-house DJs nominated for Dance Music Awards". iol.co.za. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  2. ^ Pasiya, Lutho (12 September 2019). "Durban's rising afro-house DJs nominated for Dance Music Awards". IOL. Archived from the original on 14 September 2019. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
  3. ^ "AFRICA IS NOT A JUNGLE: HOW BLACK COFFEE IS LEADING A MUSIC INDUSTRY REVOLUTION". mixmag.net. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  4. ^ a b c "KUSUSA AND FKA MASH IN THE LAB JOHANNESBURG". mixmag.net. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  5. ^ "Black Coffee, Bucie and more nominated for Dance Music Awards South Africa". News24. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  6. ^ "Defected Ibiza 2018 – 3 x CD". Defected Records. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  7. ^ "Sam Divine mixes 'Defected Ibiza 2018'". datatransmission.co. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  8. ^ "The nominees for the Dance Music Awards South Africa are out". Live Magazine. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  9. ^ "Cape Town Electronic Music Festival Set To Have 3 Different Stages". Just Nje. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  10. ^ "Kususa To Join Black Coffee At Ultra South Africa". Zkhiphani. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  11. ^ "2017 DMASA nominees announced". bizcommunity.com. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  12. ^ a b "And The Dance Music Award Nominees Are!". People Magazine. Archived from the original on 29 November 2020. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  13. ^ "Dance Music Awards South Africa 2019: All the winners". Music in Africa. 4 October 2019. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  14. ^ "Metro FM Music Awards 2023: Full List of Nominees". Slikouronlife. 30 March 2023. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
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