David Jenkins

David Jenkins, also known as Qadasi, meaning ‘white person’ in isiZulu, is an accomplished Maskandi musician who developed a deep passion for Zulu culture and music at a young age, growing up in Empangeni, right in the heart of Zululand. Now based in Durban, KwaZulu Natal, David is following his dream of being a professional Maskandi musician and is proud to be a SAMA (South African Music Award) and two-time SATMA (South African Traditional Music Achievement) Award nominee. With the release of his latest album titled, Uhambo Olusha (A New Journey), Qadasi’s quest to revive traditional Zulu Maskandi music is well underway. Over the past couple of years, Qadasi has accomplished a great deal as a South African artist, with some of his achievements including opening as the support act for Maskandi legend, Johnny Clegg, an appearance at the FNB Stadium for the first annual Nelson Mandela Sport and Culture Day, a brief tour in Ireland, and performances alongside Ladysmith Black Mambazo in ‘Amambazo – The Musical’. Qadasi is presently under the independent label, Sande Entertainment, headed by Sibongiseni Shabalala, a member of four-time Grammy Award winning group, Ladysmith Black Mambazo. His latest album, Uhambo Olusha, is the end result of the sounds David has been developing over the years and was nominated for Best Maskandi Album in the 2014 SATMA Awards and Best Traditional Album in the 2015 SAMA Awards. It encapsulates influences from many of his idols, ranging from the likes of Phuzekhemisi and Mfaz’ Omnyama to Johnny Clegg and Paul Simon. The record was self-produced along with co-producers, Mthandeni Mvelase, a highly respected name in the traditional music industry, as well as Maskandi extraordinaire, Maqhinga Radebe, who is also a very close friend and mentor of David’s, and a member of the Qadasi band. There is much excitement in the promise of what lies ahead for this Maskandi artist who is continuing in the footsteps of this powerful genre’s icons. New collaborative acoustic album by Qadasi & Maqhinga out now on iTunes: http://hyperurl.co/umlqya