DJ Qness
Qhubani Ndlovu (born 14 September 1983), also known as DJ Qness, is a South African DJ, recording artist and record producer. He has three albums to his name: On Cue Vol. 1 (2009), On Cue Vol. 2 (2011), and On Cue Vol. 3 (2013).
DJ Qness | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | Qhubani Ndlovu |
Born | Vereening, South Africa | 14 September 1983
Genres | Deep house, EDM, tropical house |
Occupation(s) | DJ, record producer, entrepreneur, music business consultant |
Years active | 2007–present |
Labels | Universal Music, Soul Candi Records, Afrotainment |
Associated acts | M.I.A, Kele, Mujava, Quentin Harris, Abicah Soul, UPZ |
Personal life
Early life
Qness grew up in Vereeniging, Johannesburg South in the Vaal River, and has three elder sisters, one younger sister and a younger brother.
Musical career
At age 17, he and his childhood friend drafted a proposal and approached a local bank to secure funds to set up a recording studio. They went to the bank dressed in high school uniforms and carrying school bags, and did a presentation on why they needed the funds. The bank officials were so impressed and the loan was approved the next day.
On Cue Vol. 1[1] is the debut studio album by DJ Qness, which was released by Sheer Music in 2009. This album remains one of Qness's most successful albums to date. Shortly after releasing the album, Qness announced that he had originally wanted to work with established acts like Simphiwe Dana and Siphokazi[2] to name just a few, but he was unable to get them because he "lacked the profile" at the time. Hence what he did was to seek new talent that would challenge the market, but still make the same impact. The result was an album that contributed to giving birth to a new era of talented vocalists and acts such as Maleh,[3] Oluhle,[4] and Khanyi (of "Set Your Mind Free" fame),[5] who went on to become established successful acts in their own right.
His debut album On Cue Vol. 1 sold over 18,000 units, nearly hitting gold status and featuring the hits "Fugama Unamathe" and "Uzongilinda".
On Cue Vol. 2 is the second studio album by DJ Qness, which was released in 2011 by Universal Music.[6] Like its predecessor it did extremely well on the market and spurned hit singles such as "Time", "Believing", "Imiyalo", and "I Do" just to name a few. Qness also matured in terms of production compared to his first record and also managed to realize his dream of working with acts he had always wanted to work with from the start such as Simphiwe Dana and Zamajobe. The recording sessions for the album predominantly took place at his new home in Ferndale as well as his permanent studio in the Vaal and he recorded the project over a period of two years before finally conceding that it was ready for the market.
On Cue Vol. 3 is the third studio album by DJ Qness. It was released in 2013 by Soul Candi Records and featured collaborations with prominent acts such as Oliver Mtukudzi, Marissa Guzmann,[7] Marie Chan (from Jamali), Kafele Bandele,[8] & Moneoa,[9] to name just a few. The recording sessions for the album took place at the then Soul Candi Pyramid Studios,[10] as well as Qness's studio in the Vaal.
Qness has also done some work with M.I.A. on the song "XXXO", which he remixed along with fellow artist South African DJ and music producer DJ Mujava. The duo also worked on the single "Everything You Wanted" by Kele from Bloc Party, which they did a remix for.
Personal life
Qness has a son named Loyiso. He and his wife separated before their son was born.
Discography
On Cue Vol. 1
On Cue Reloaded
Tracklisting
All songs produced by DJ Qness.
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Uzongilinda" ((UPZ Mix) ft Malehloka) | Qhubani Ndlovu, Tinashe V. Mushapaidze | |
2. | "Time" (ft Malehloka) | Qhubani Ndlovu | |
3. | "Believing" (ft Kafele) | Avi Elman, Kafele Bandele, Qhubani Ndlovu | |
4. | "Bambelela" (ft Zizipho) | Qhubani Ndlovu, Zizipho Mposula | |
5. | "Miles Away" ((Pex Africah Remix) ft Vindo Vinchento) | Qhubani Ndlovu, Tinashe V. Mushapaidze | |
6. | "Fugama Unamathe" ((Aero Manyelo Re Work) ft 'Oluhle) | Qhubani Ndlovu, Sukoluhle Ncube | |
7. | "Voice of a thousand Africans" | Qhubani Ndlovu, Lucky Shabangu | |
8. | "DJ Qness's Revenge" | Qhubani Ndlovu, Lucky Shabangu | |
9. | "Time" ((Club Edit) ft Malehloka) | Qhubani Ndlovu | |
10. | "Uzongilinda" ((Reprise Mix) ft Malehloka (Bonus Track)) | Qhubani Ndlovu, Tinashe V. Mushapaidze |
On Cue Vol. 2
Tracklisting
All tracks produced by DJ Qness (Qhubani Ndlovu), except for "Time", produced by R.B. Mahosana & T.R. Mabogwane, and "Ematholeni", co-produced by S.W. Nhleko.
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Zandisile" ((DJ Qness Remix) [feat. Simphiwe Dana]) | Simphiwe Dana | 07.10 |
2. | "Time" ((Black Motion Remix) [feat. Maleh]) | Qhubani Ndlovu | 05.45 |
3. | "Imiyalo" ((DJ Qness Remix)) | Nomalungelo Dladla, Muzi Ngwenya | 06.08 |
4. | "Flutes of the Motherland" | Qhubani Ndlovu | 04.51 |
5. | "Come With Me" ((DJ Qness Remix) [feat. Zamajobe]) | Zamajobe Sithole | 07.10 |
6. | "Don't Go" ((feat. Xoli M)) | Qhubani Ndlovu, Xolile Mazibuko | 06.16 |
7. | "How Do I Say" ((feat. Zizipho)) | Qhubani Ndlovu, Zizipho Sithole | 06.23 |
8. | "Ematholeni" ((feat. Spha)) | Sphamandla W. Nhleko, Qhubani Ndlovu | 05.37 |
9. | "Believing" ((DJ Qness Remix) [feat. Kafele]) | Avi Elman, Kafele Bandele, Qhubani Ndlovu | 06.17 |
10. | "Time" ((feat. Maleh)) | Qhubani Ndlovu | 05.37 |
11. | "Bambelela" ((feat. Zizipho)) | Qhubani Ndlovu, Zizipho Sithole | 06.54 |
12. | "Khushu Khushu" ((DJ Qness Remix) [feat. Fundile Mdingi]) | Fundile Mdingi | 06.39 |
13. | "I Do" ((feat. Simi)) | Simi Ogunleye, Qhubani Ndlovu | 04.06 |
Singles
On Cue Vol. 3
Track listing
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Trouble Sleeping (feat. Marie Chan)" | Corinne Bailey Rae, John Beck, Steve Chrisanthou | Qhubani Ndlovu | 05.08 |
2. | "Chocolate Butterfly (feat. Kafele)" | Qhubani Ndlovu, Kafele Bandele | Qhubani Ndlovu/Afrikan Roots | 06.39 |
3. | "Leave it to Me (feat. Justin Chalice)" | Qhubani Ndlovu, Justin Chalice | Qhubani Ndlovu | 06.11 |
4. | "Everything (feat. Msimisi)" | Q. Ndlovu, F. V Ndlovu, M. Sithole, M. Ngwenya | Qhubani Ndlovu/Fransisco Ndlovu | 07.42 |
5. | "Look Inside (feat. Marissa Guzman)" | Qhubani Ndlovu, Marissa Nicole Guzmann | Qhubani Ndlovu/Afrikan Roots | 06.12 |
6. | "Hatida Hondo (feat. Oliver Mtukudzi)" | Oliver Mtukudzi/Steve Dyer | Qhubani Ndlovu/Deep Legendz/Afrikan Roots | 05.40 |
7. | "The Heavy Drum" | Thabo Mashego | Thabo Mashego | 07.39 |
8. | "Avulekile Amasango" | Q. Ndlovu/I. Morabe/L. Tyamara/S.I Langa/J.Siyabonga | Qhubani Ndlovu | 06.20 |
9. | "Calling (feat. Moneoa)" | Qhubani Ndlovu, Moneoa Moshesh | Qhubani Ndlovu | 05.56 |
10. | "I Get Weak (feat. Letoya Makhene)" | Qhubani Ndlovu, Letoya Makhene | Qhubani Ndlovu | 07.12 |
11. | "Promises (feat. Khwezi)" | Qhubani Ndlovu, Khwezi | Qhubani Ndlovu | 05.39 |
12. | "You (feat. Amanda Mo)" | Qhubani Ndlovu, Sitsandzile Amanda Motsa | Qhubani Ndlovu | 06.56 |
13. | "Remember the First Night" | M. Kama/H. Thari/T.Ntshabele/T. Malipiti/K. Molosiwa | T. Malipiti/K. Molosiwa | 06.20 |
14. | "Day Dreamer (feat. December streets)" | Q. Ndlovu/M. Ngwenya/T. Coetzee/C. Clasen/N. Van Loggerenberg/G. Meyer/W. Boshoff | Mozaik the Producer/ Qhubani Ndlovu | 03.28 |
Singles
- "Everything" (2013)
- "Look Inside" (2013)
- "My World" (featuring former South African Idol finalist Kyle Deutsch) (2015)
Coke Studio
On 17 August 2015, Qness announced vaguely through an Instagram post that he would be part of Coke Studio,[32] South Africa. This was going to be the very first Coke Studio season ever in South Africa and would feature other prominent South African acts such as December streets (with whom he did a fusion with on the show), Mi Casa, Cassper Nyovest, Donald, and Ricky Rick, to name just a few. According to an interview he did on 22 August 2015 on the radio station 94.7 Highveld Stereo, he announced that his Coke Studio episode would air on November 16, 2015.
References
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- (previously known as Malehloka)
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- "Avi Elman". Avi Elman. Archived from the original on 2007-11-09. Retrieved 2016-07-29.
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- [hyperlink:https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0m98FE1ZrQc]
- "Nomalungelo Website". nomalungelo.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 29 July 2016.
- "THE HOME OF CLAIMING GROUND RECORDS". cgrecords.com. Retrieved 29 July 2016.
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