By Eswatini Sunday Reporter
What has more weight when it comes to achieving success? Talent or discipline? This is a question and a subject of debate for many. Before going any further maybe we should delve into each of these concepts.
Talent: The ability a person has to learn things easily or to develop an activity with great skill but again, discipline is the ability to put into practice a series of principles related to consistency.
So with that said I believe the answer to the above question is discipline. Discipline can take you further than talent. In the year 2016, I was introduced to a very talented man in Mbabane.
On a chilly Sunday afternoon at a friend’s place Sibusiso ‘Sbuda’ Mhlanga, going about our business, mingling with the guys, and listening to the Deep, one unusual face caught my attention. Music is a universal language and through music, so many relationships can be formed.
So what was so intriguing about this guy? Nodding to every track played, he was beaming with passion for music, I couldn’t help myself but approach Mmeli Hlanze from Antidote Music, “Outy ngubani lentwana lena.” With a smile on his face, “Ngu Suku lo, actually let me introduce you to him, he just released a new project,” he responded.
And just like that, that was the beginning of a great friendship but more than that, I was given the true definition of the words discipline and talent on that day.
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!Sooks is an electronic music artist, hailing from the Kingdom of eSwatini, whose musical escapades persist in listing him as one of Southern Africa’s leading electronic music stars. Real name Sukoluhle Dlamini, he began his journey at an early age when he became fascinated by African music and synth sound creation.
He fully made his mark in the electronic music scene in 2016 when he released his first EP titled “7 Years of Colour” under Antidote Music, followed by a release under international label Deepstitched Records titled “A Different Place”.
The success of his music has led him to be invited to perform in various major events in his home country eSwatini, Mozambique and South Africa, with the most notable events being MTN Bushfire Festival, Soul Candi Spring Fiesta and Mixmag’s The Lab Johannesburg.
The Power of Discipline and becoming the person you admire
You might think that these qualities are innate and beyond your reach. Think again! You have the power to turn yourself into the person you admire by demonstrating willpower, effort, and self-discipline.
Granted, it’s easier said than done, but remember it’s NOT IMPOSSIBLE, as proven by the successes of the people you admire! You see, Suku proved that this was possible. I was fortunate to stay in the same hood as !Sooks in Fontein where he lived with his Mother.
Suku would always give 90% of his time to his music, he would always tell me kutsi Boi kwamele ngi spane. He never compromised his time for what he was passionate about. I would always complain that out of the blue he would disappear for a good three weeks where he would concentrate on a project he was working on.
You can never doubt the talent of this young man, but the level of discipline he displayed at a young age was remarkable. Self-discipline, resilience, commitment, self-motivation, and organisation are words I could use to define !Sooks.
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Self-discipline requires fuel to work and that fuel is motivation. Sukoluhle has always been motivated by becoming one of the best in the house music scene. From his first five-track project titled ‘7 Years Of Colour’ this project proved to be the moment the Wolf would eventually be unleashed.
From releasing his music under Antidote Music, Deepstitched, LW Recordings, Stay True Soundz, Les Disques du bord de l’eau, Atjazz Record Company, and Wolf Unleashed Records to name a few, house music lovers were treated to some of the best underground and Electronic music.
Tracks like Oasis, approved by some of the best in the industry like the legendary Vinny Da Vinci were club bangers week in, week out in clubs locally and outside the borders. Dlamini’s biggest achievements to date are winning three awards in 2019 including “Best Underground Record of the Year” for his song “Oasis” and “Best Compilation Album” for House Afrika Records’ Mzansi House Vol.9 (which includes his debut album “Symmetry”) at the Dance Music Awards South Africa as well as “Best House Artist” at the MTN SWAMA Awards.
Through his hard work and dedication, Sokuluhle released his remix package ‘Imagine’ under Atjazz Record Company in 2021 and I believe that was the turning point for the producer.
Earlier, I spoke of self-discipline needing fuel. One cannot mention the brand !Sooks and not praise the Antidote team who were able to spot and nurture this raw talent. The house music scene in Eswatini truly owes itself to lamajita lawa lokunenkinge.
Another pillar in !Sooks career has been Kinglenhle Mavuso, an artist manager based in Johannesburg. I have never met this gentleman in person but from afar I have kept track of the amount of work he has put into the rise and shine of the Wolf! Kudos Brother.
Unleash The Wolf
Most creatives are usually born from a family that is musically oriented. One of Sokulohle’s biggest motivations has always been his Dad (May his soul continue to rest in eternal peace). In 2018, Suku released a track titled 1962 which was dedicated to his old man.
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More of a token of appreciation for the support he had given him as he pursued his journey in music, so when Babe Dlamini passed away, I wondered what would follow. For me, this was when the Wolf was eventually unleashed.
The following year, !Sooks decided to pursue his studies in Sound Engineering at the Academy of Sound Engineering (ASE) in Johannesburg, South Africa. Moving away from home was a very bold step which has proved to be the best decision ever for him.
!Sooks recently released two singles which will be featured on his upcoming album. The first release ‘Cry Me A River’ introduced us to a new sound, which was followed by ‘Kingdoms’ a track featuring UK’s best, Atjazz.
!Sooks’s journey in the music industry is a lesson to all of us. With discipline and having identified your purpose, you now need to set clear and specific goals with realistic deadlines and milestones to measure your progress.
Small steps every day. Lokuhle kodvwa my guy as you continue to make us proud!
Popular tracks
1. !Sooks, Atjazz – Kingdoms(Original Mix)
2. !Sooks – Cry Me A River(Original Mix)
3. !Sooks, Dwson – Eva
4. !Sooks – Schadenfreude
5. !Sooks, Krippsoulisc – PX2(Original Mix)
6. !Sooks, Velemseni – Muusa
7. !Sooks – Chasing Dubs
8. !Sooks, Avi Subban – Oasis(Original Mix)
!Sooks in numbers
1. 12,000 monthly listeners on Spotify
a. Kingdoms – 13,183 streams
b. Cry Me A River – 41,678
c. Eva – 30,133
d. Musa – 56,570
2. 600 000 on Apple Music