Skeleton Blazer Wins Best Reggae Album at the South African Music Awards, 2024
Skeleton Blazer Finally Gets His Flowers
Skeleton Blazer is currently riding on a high wave after emerging as the winner of the coveted Best Reggae Album at the South African Music Awards 2024 (SAMA) for his Album Give Praises. He recently served as Burning Spear’s opening act on the renowned One People Africa Tour 2024. He and two-time SAMA winner Bongo Riot, Kwaito Star Zulu Boy and DJ Fanta are presently touring the country on the Reggae Vibrations Tour. Not only that, but he is also in the studio working on his next offering, while at the same time honouring interview requests and doing Radio appearances post SAMA win; furthermore he still finds time to tend to his farm, The Frontline Productions Boss is relentless in the pursuit of his dreams, musically and otherwise. He has been on a roller coaster ride since his last two previous attempts at Winning the SAMA. Finally, seventeen years after releasing his debut album and working diligently ever since, his efforts have paid off, he won the highest accolade in Reggae in South Africa and for that He Give Praises.
The Early Years
Born in the Eastern Cape Province, he would later move to the Gauteng province, in the Vaal township, where he grew up and a place he calls home. It was through his stepfather that he got introduced to the Rastafari teachings that he carries not only in his music but also as a way of life. The teachings of Rastafari which he genuinely expresses through his lyrics would shape his outlook towards life and make him the man that he is today. He attended the Nyahbingi sessions, keeping the Holy Sabbath and rising up as a Bobo Shanti. It was there that he got baptised as Skeleton Blazer. One of his Brethren, Rasta Khalebsta, liked to tease him, saying he was so skinny, he looked like skeleton bones. The name stuck, much to Skeleton’s annoyance, but it stuck and evolved into Skeleton Blazer.
Armed with the teachings of Rastafari and gravitating to the Rub A Dub and Reggae and Dancehall underground sessions in his area, he started performing there, emulating his role models like Sizzla Kalonji, Capleton and Anthony B, who, just like him, also rose in Bobo Shanti. By 2002 he had penned his first song and since then, it seems like he has never stopped.
In 2007 he released his first album titled Man of a Battle, which earned him the moniker that he added to his name. Thus, Skeleton Blazer Man of a Battle. He lived up to this name through his energetic stage performances and his delivery which espouses one who is on the front lines, a soldier of His Majesty King Selassie I. battling for Rastafari. Even though he is heavily influenced by Rastafari, his township upbringing equally influences his lifestyle and his music. From his Album Man of A Battle, there is a track titled Dontsa Madontsa, it has a Kwaito touch to it though the delivery is definitely Dancehall, Kwaito being the South African popular genre that preceded the Amapiano of today and back then Kwaito and Reggae were close cousins just like Hip Hop and Reggae was. Dontsa Madontsa is also one of Skeleton’s favourite song from his catalogue as it was his first tune in vernacular representing Kasi lingwa (Township Slang) and it got air play on YFM staying on rotation for almost 2 years “I can say Dontsa Madontsa is the tune that rose Skeleton blazer from the dust,” explains Skeleton.
From The Low Land
Skeleton Blazer continued grinding, he released his second album Blaze Fire Blaze. At this point, he was already a household name in the scene. He collaborated with Jamaican Artist Preacher on a track called Blaze up which was accompanied by a video. Working with notable producers and being a member of the crew Upfront Crew. Blaze Fire Blaze was followed by Big Up Yo Self, an album produced by Shimi ‘Gaddaffi’ Mohohlo of CHO Records. But it was his fourth Album that he really establish himself firmly in the scene. It is also one of his personal favourite, as it was a personal introspection and marked a turning point in his journey, acknowledging his upbringing and influences. This was also his first attempt at the SAMA. Skelly explains what the Low Land means to him: “From The Low Land it is the untold stories of my life and music journey. It is a time-travelling experience through my life’s memories in Eastern Cape as a young herd boy looking after flock to moving from emakhaya to Gauteng where I was introduced to the Rastafari livity and reggae music, absorbing all sorts of inspiration from my experiences and illustrating them through reggae music with a flavour of traditional African sounds and dancehall. It is a timeless album that is relatable. Furthermore, it has a hard-hitting sincere message of hope, African History, love and confronts social issues affecting us collectively.”
The Storm is Over
From the Low Land did not win the SAMA that year, but it won many a heart in the Reggae Dancehall fraternity. Not only was Skeleton Blazer a household name, but he was also a favourite personality, loved by all, worked and collaborated with many artists and producers – Cure Massive (Zimbabwe), Gangalee Studios, House of Riddim (Austria), Wailing Brothers Band (Malawi), NatureVybz (KZN), Kakyard Records (CT), Raw-yal Records, Chanty Natural (Botswana) and many more. He has also graced many stages throughout the country, He has shared the stage with the Lucky Dube family in Newcastle, KZN in remembrance of Lucky Dube; in Cape Town he performed at the Music Unite Cape Town International Festival in Blue Waters; Africa Unite Reggae Sunsplash; he had opened for Capleton; Chronixx, Jah Mason, Anthony B, Etana, Bushman, Sizzla, Turbulance. He performed in Malawi and Lesotho and almost all the regions in SA. A new era has opened up for Skelly. He could be counted among the finest Mzansi Reggae has produced. The Storm was definitely over, but the Rocky Road to the SAMA persisted.
He Crowned I Emperor
His meeting and interaction with Sizzla Kalonji had a profound impact on Skeleton. There is an anecdote that happened between the two. Sizzla, not being familiar with the local ghetto nuances, could not quite grasp the moniker Skeleton. It somehow did not sound a proper name to him, and after having interacted with Skelly and seeing his talent and potential, he told Skeleton that he is Emperor Blazer. For a while Skeleton Blazer tried to call himself Emperor Blazer, but that did not stick, Skeleton remained, and his next album was titled He Crowned I Emperor. It was from this album that the most popular, the favourite of all favourites of Skeleton Blazer song came. Le Zolo. It’s about the herb. Zol being the slang for a spliff. The lyrics are quirky, funny, relatable and would undoubtably make you wanna roll one. It also brings out his personality so well and eloquent. Le Zolo is the massive’s favourite, and he never leaves the stage without performing it. He Crowned I got a nod from the SAMA in 2022 by way of a nomination. Stable mate Reign Afrika took it home that year. A win for Frontline Productions.
Giving Praises
At this stage in his career, Skeleton Blazer had a lot to be thankful for. He is moving in the direction that he always envisioned. It is upward mobility. He has seven albums and one EP (Blesser) under his belt. In 2006 he founded his own label Frontline Productions, which was very influential in the growth and success of 2022 SAMA winner Reign Afrika and under which the SAMA winning album was produced. He has headlined top international Reggae gigs like Catch-A-Fire in Soweto and is present in local gigs as well, He has worked and collaborated with established and international artists including, Jahseed and Warrior King, Perfect Giddimani on a track called Sheriff taken off the award-winning album Give Praises. Another collabo track with Pressure Busspipe is in the pipelines.
Man of a Battle
Sabelo Richmond Makapela, a father of three, a Rastafari Bobo Shanti adherent, an Italist, a Farmer Man, Frontline Productions Label Boss, and a South African Music Award Winner for Best Reggae Album; is a force to be reckoned with. Known by his stage name Skeleton Blazer Man of A Battle and affectionately called Skelly, he has cemented his name in the South African Reggae Dancehall history books through his earnest and authentic contribution to the story of Mzansi Reggae. We salute you Son of the Soil. Your lyricism and energetic stage performances tell tales of triumph and tribulations of the ghetto youths.
Legacy
“We have had people like HHP and Zuluboy who have made Setswana and isiZulu culture fashionable in music. My legacy would be more RASTAFARI so future generations who do our Reggae music can walk in my shoes” – Skeleton Blazer. Man of a Battle.
