Mr Moda aka Fruity Star hails from the East Rand, he has come a long way from being a Varsity DJ to a Dancehall Recording artiste signed with Maximum Stylez Records & Publishing. He has paid his dues, experimented and embraced different genres from hip hop to house that has come to shape his music. His two famous Uncles Marc and Alex Rantseli [80’s pop sensation duo MarcAlex] also played a part in inspiring his musical journey. His debut single, Sgubhu came out in November last year and officially launched him into the game.
SGUBHU is a very feel good type of song, that makes you want to dance, and still remind our parents and uncles of the good old time when they use to appreciate and dance to good music. Mr Moda.
Below is MzansiReggae’s quick chat with Mr Moda aka Fruity Star.
Tell us about the name Mr Moda aka Fruity Star?
Mr Moda was given to me by a friend Khensani who is no longer. He gave me the name way back in high school because of a Italian shoe I used to have called RossiModa. Because my real name is Mfanafuthi, a friend of mine used to tease me and call me Mfanafruity, so I took Fruity and added the Star at the end.
At what point did you decide that you would like to pursue a career Reggae/Dancehall?
My musical journey started when I was part of a Pantsula dance crew back then. I then started buying records and found myself DJ’ing at parties around Tembisa. In the same period, I started writing dancehall & reggae lyrics, That’s when the reggae bug bit me. I have always been into reggae because every time when I come back from playing at a house party I would play reggae music to calm myself down. 2002 was the turning point because that’s when I made a decision to stop playing house music and concentrate on mixing dancehall/reggae which led to me to start performing my earlier works.
Who are you working with on your upcoming album?
My album titled ‘FOLLOW ME’ is finished however not out yet. I worked with my manager Teboho Montse and producer Thulani Nyashanu otherwise known as Face The Music. We combined elements of Kwaito, Hip Hop, Reggae, Dancehall, Universal music & House music in the project.
How has the general response to your previous work been?
Prior to my album all I did was record tracks and give them out for free and perform them for free wherever I can. It is because of that work that I got the attention of dancehall & reggae music lovers.
How does it feel to be signed up?
I regard myself as blessed and fortunate because major record labels don’t even consider reggae music of late. My manager and C.E.O of MaximumS tylez Records Teboho Montse called me up in July 2014 and asked me how I felt about recording an album, I didn’t think twice, we started recording the following month.
What else do you do other than music?
I have a love for clothes and keeping up with fashion trends, am currently researching the custom made suits industry as i love suits. Academically i have a Wealth Management diploma.
What are you currently working on
Right now am working on the media packaging of my album before its release.
Which musicians do you draw your inspiration from?
Bob Marley, Lucky Dube, Shabba Ranks, Shaggy, Sean Paul, Agent Sasco & many more lol!
Which artist would you like to work/collaborate with?
Locally it would have to be the likes of Black Dillinger and NC Dread. Internationally it would have to be Agent Sasco & Konshens.
Which do you prefer; live performances or studio work?
Live performances.
Check out Mr Moda’s full Bio here and Facebook.
Catch his Live performance in Kimberly at the Maximised Winter Picnic.
@FruityStar