JazziQ Signs Deal With Major Recording Label. Tumelo Manyoni known professionally as Mr JazziQ, is a South African Amapiano DJ and record producer. He was best known for being a member of the amapiano DJ duo, JazziDisciples. Alexandra-born Mr JazziQ first emerged as one-half of JazziDisciples, a South African DJ/producer duo which released a slate of projects that played an important role in Amapiano’s rapid journey from the township into the heart of the mainstream. And now, in 2021, Tumelo Manyoni has his eyes on a bigger prize: using his homegrown success to take over the global music scene.
JazziQ has signed a deal with major record label Sony Music. The official social media account of the label made the announcement on Instagram and welcomed the star on his new journey. “Welcome Mr JazziQ and Black is Brown to Sony Music Entertainment family,” reads the announcement.
Together with Josiah De Disciple, Mr JazziQ was instrumental in pioneering Amapiano, alongside the likes of DJ Maphorisa and Kabza De Small, helping turn it into one of the most popular sounds of South Africa over the past few years. Often seen as a sub-genre of house, Amapiano is – like gqom – defiantly original, drawing on deep house, jazz, and lounge music while also tracking a thread from 90s kwaito to deliver airy, percussive electronic music that is easily jumping borders. “Being in the JazziDisciples was a big stepping stone in terms of my career and I’m thankful for being able to develop what I would consider more soulful Amapiano with Josiah,” said JazziQ.
