Gemini Major: Breaking new ground in Joburg

Breaking new grounds in a country with a vast and organised music industry can be a tall order for any budding music producer. It is even worse if you are a foreigner.

But for Gemini Major, South Africa has turned into his pot of gold as, over the past few years, he has continued to produce songs for some of the established artists in the Rainbow Nation.

Gemini Major was born Benn Kamoto and grew up in Kabula, Blantyre where he did his high school at Joyce Banda Foundation. He later studied IT at Nacit and migrated to South Africa in 2009 where he fell in love with music.

“Since then, I have been producing music. As a producer I do almost all genres mainly hip hop and RnB, but I am also an Afro-pop singer,” said the artist.

While Gemini Major says he is yet to make his dream breakthrough, he has made some considerable inroads on the South African music scene.

“In 2010 I tried out in the all elements battle of the year in producers’ competition which was held in Durban. Out of the 40 producers that took part, I was in the final three which is not bad for first timer,” he said.

Since then, the producer has made strides in the South African music industry and proved to be a force to reckon with.

Some of the big name artists to whom he has learnt his skills include rapper Reason, Maggz, the Cashtime Fam and Bongani, son to legendary South African music queen Brenda Fassie.

Among the opportunities that followed after he moved to the City of Gold was producing soundtracks for three top television programmes.

“I got enough publicity to start producing for local Durban acts and so I found myself on Abdus’ album who is one of the hot rappers in Durban and thereafter, I just kept growing with the hype.

“In 2013 I decided to move to Johannesburg because Durban was a bit too slow for me. Since the move to Johannesburg, it’s been a blessing because I have worked with many artists whom I had only watched on television.

“I also did music for some televisions programmes. I managed to do sound tracks for shows such as Mo’Love; a reality television show about a young couple making their relationship work, then there is Forever Young which is also a reality show chronicling the lives of three young favourite television personalities.

“Recently I did a theme song for Goal Diggers Season 3, a television show hosted by the former Bafana Bafana striker Bennie McCarthy. He goes overseas showing the life international soccer players are living. Some of the DSTV channels that show these shows are Vuzu and Mzansi Magic,” he explained.

GeminiMajor confirmed that most of the songs he has done with South African artists will be released this year.

“Expect nothing but hits. I also produced a hit for DJ Switch who is one of the hottest rappers right now. Unfortunately, I cannot say much now because it’s a surprise. But it is a song that will have the hip hop industry talking,” revealed the artist.

During a recent interview with South African rapper Reason, the rapper could not stop mentioning how good GeminiMajor is, calling him Malawi’s next big thing.

“Malawi watch out for a very talented boy. He has produced two songs from my next album, one of which is the title track. We are actually working on something a bit of a surprise for Malawi during Lake of Stars.

“I would like to appeal to Malawi to find this boy as he is doing big things here in South Africa. He has a lot to give and offer musically. He is making it into other artists’ albums and studios including Bongani Fassie. Be on the lookout Malawi for GeminiMajor is the next big thing,” Reason emphasised.

Currently, the 24-year-old GeminiMajor has two new singles, International Girl and #BadManTingwhich he intends to release soon.

“We have already started shooting some scenes for #BadManTing and this video will premiere on channel O and MTV Base. I am planning to drop the songs in Malawi before they drop here as it’s only right. I am also working on a track with Sonye,” he disclosed.

Again, the young music producer is working on the 10 year legacy of the fallen superstar Brenda Fassie through the son, Bongani.

“The Brenda Fassie 10 year legacy is quite a big thing because she was such a legend. Honestly, I am honoured to be part of it. It has already started and basically it is about a lot of talented people doing Brenda’s remixes. I am part of the production team and we will tour the project throughout South Africa starting in October till next year,” he explained.

Moving forward, GeminiMajor wants to help build a better Malawian music industry, “there’s a lot of talent in Malawi and I will do everything I can to help build the bridges. I co-own an upcoming record label, currently negotiating a deal with one of the leading music labels here. If the deal works, definitely, Malawi music will change,” he said.