Oskido is undoubtedly one of the pioneering artists that popularised the Kwaito genre of music outside of the townships of South Africa, and he's been central to the rise of Afro-house and opened doors for the new genre known as amapiano.
11 Facts About Oskido
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Oskido is the co-founder of Kalawa Jazmee Records, a record label that is home to musical acts like Mafikizolo, Bongo Maffin, and many other foremost groups.
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Oscar Sibonginkosi Mdlongwa born in November 26,1967, to the late Zimbabwean father, Esaph Mdlongwa, who was a politician and his South African mother, Emily Sophia Molefi, in Oukasie township, Brits, North West, South Africa, Oskido spent most of his early life in Luveve Township, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, where he went on to finish his basic education after graduating from Gifford High School, Bulawayo.
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Oskido returned to Brits at the age of 21 in 1988 to run a family business in Lethlabile, Brits shop before he left for Johannesburg to pursue a career in music.
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Oskido's career kicked off after he volunteered to perform at Razzmatazz when the scheduled DJ failed to show up.
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Oskido was influential in setting up groups such as Mafikizolo, Bongo Muffin and Trompies.
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Oskido is currently run by Oscar Mdlongwa, Don Laka, Bruce "Dope "Sebitlo, Zynne 'Mahoota' Sibika, Mandla 'Spikiri' Mofokeng, and Emmanuel 'Mjokes' Matsane.
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Oskido was amongst the first artists to produce kwaito tracks by adding vocals to the slow tempo house beats, and it went on to become popular in South Africa.
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Oskido was part of the Kalawa Jazmee crew honoured at the SA Dance Music Awards in the same year.
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Oskido is known for his top selling 'Church Grooves' compilation series, which kicked off in 2001 and changed the face of South African house compilations, making them a staple in the industry for the next twenty years.
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Oskido collaborated with a number of artists on the album, including amapiano pioneers Kabza De Small and MFR Souls, and vocalists including Toshi, Monique Bingham, Winnie Khumalo, Zonke Dikana, and Tamara Dey, whose career Oskido helped kickstart when she sang on BOP's "That'Impahlayakho".