LOCAL artists took centre stage and delivered outstanding performances at the inaugural ‘Friends of Kelvin Momo’ event held at Sibanesami Hotel on Saturday night.
Organised by Tru Soundz Events Management and Point Blank Media, the show featured over 20 Swati acts, representing a broad range of genres from hip-hop and afro tech to soulful amapiano who kept the energy alive before and after the headline performances from South African acts Da Muziqal Chef and Kelvin Momo.
The event, which saw an attendance of around 900 people, left a good impression on the people and was opportunity for local artists to shine in front of a bigger audience according to the organisers.
Among them were hip-hop artists Lyrikal Busta, K Darrow, Amarii, Grixxly, Qhibo and Mad Uno who gave an energetic performance of their hit single Zazazel and had the crowd singing along to the catchy chorus.
1D and DJ Maphi warmed the crowd with nostalgic sets of hip-hop sounds. Wordsmith Felix’s soulful amapiano set had the crowd glued to the stage. Other acts included Acoustic Soul, Expo, Knoxman, Selby, Speech Umlangeni and more.
Tru Soundz Events Management founder Mixmash revealed that the event was not just about entertainment but was also part of a growing partnership programme intended to bridge the gap between Eswatini and South African artists.
He shared that Kelvin Momo was not simply booked for a one-off gig, but was actively involved in the long-term vision of building stronger collaborations across the music industries of both countries.
He stated that the event served as a prelude to a much larger festival in the works, where Kelvin Momo is expected to return alongside artists under his stable, including frequent collaborator Babalwa M. Mixmash confirmed that this upcoming festival was billed for spring, with further details to be announced in due course.
When asked about the time slot shift that kept fans of Kelvin Momo fans waiting for over one hour, Mixmash explained that the time slot shift was a strategic decision aimed at ensuring that local acts performed to a full house. He noted that Kelvin Momo was more of a closing act, allowing local talent ample time to shine.
This move, he said, worked in favour of Eswatini artists, as it gave them a significant platform to connect with the crowd and showcase their music. Reflecting on the event’s outcome, Mixmash expressed satisfaction with the turnout and overall execution.
He said the success was evident in the atmosphere, the positive feedback from attendees, and the contentment of the Sibanesami Hotel management. Audience members echoed similar sentiments. Mduduzi Motsa remarked that the experience was truly worth it, even though there was a slight delay in Kelvin Momo’s set.
He felt that the wait only heightened the anticipation, making the performance even more memorable. Another fan, Wazi, shared that she had a smooth experience throughout.
A devoted follower of Kelvin Momo, she said the weather was pleasant, and the event met her expectations with no complaints.
