Contents
CONTENTS
YOUR CONNEXIONZ
BrandIt Digital Music Distribution, This issue we discuss this topic in detail. See what the experts had to say.
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Cover Story Deep284, We feature an exclusive cover story with this taleneted duo of producers / deejays.
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Musiq Tulz WitDj gives as an inside scoop about his forthcoming album titled “Drop The Beat”
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Sho! Play Catch our Selection of March/April top 10 tracks.
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Your Connexionz Get your musical connections to help you get ahead in your “Hustle”
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Sho!Mag Sho! The Music Marketing Magazine consider its sources to be reliable and verifies all the information. However reporting mistakes do happen even though the information containeds is verified. So readers using the information contained, do so at their own risk. The publshers, authors and contributors reserve their rights in regards tp copyright of their work. No part of this publication can be copied in any form or by any means without prior writen permission by the publisher.
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EDITOR’S WORD
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sHO! a music marketing magazine. the magazine is distributed free of charge once in two months.
welcome to our fourth issue.no need for fancy words in here as we let music do the talking.enjoy the mag as it for you.
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which really empties the musician’s pockets in a big way. There has been a serious dip in CD sales which on its own offers opportunities for retailers which are able to quickly adopt to this growing trend and serious threats to those that fail to adopt their business model to suite this growing trend of distributing music digitally. Globally, digital music distribution has in some cases been blamed for certain music retailers closing shop permanently. But on the flip side, digital music distribution has brought with it a breath of fresh air to unsigned musicians and independent musicians as gives artists more control over their music in terms of ownership, rights, creative process, pricing and profit from copies of music purchased.
“The introduction of internet has brought advantages within the music industry and within this issue we discuss one of those advantage Digital Music Distribution”
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igital music distribution. What is digital music distribution (also called content delivery, online distribution, or electronic distribution (ED), among others). The term is generally used to describe music distribution over an online delivery medium, such as the Internet. This means that one distributes their music online, simply meaning that the actual music is distributed and sold online as compared to the music being sold via traditional means such as physical distribution. With the introduction of internet to our daily lives, with this there were many benefits in the
way we conduct business and trade. One of those benefits, for the sake of our topic was the introduction of E-Commerce (trading or facilitation of trading in products or services using computer networks, such as the internet). Musicians have benefited hugely from E-Commerce as it essentially mean that, an unsigned musician or an independent music label can now compete with major record label and play in the same arena as the “big boys” of the music industry. This, I say because nowadays unsigned artists and independent labels can get to distribute their material in the same platform where major labels distribute their material. All thanks to Digital Music Distribution.
The list of benefits would go on to also include the ability of releasing singles for the artist instead of a full length album, lower distribution costs, worldwide distribution of their music, multiple online store music distribution, and so on. As we go on we need to discuss the options an artist has at their disposal and the best route an unsigned musician or independent music label can take. There are quite a lot of options one can take, for this article I shall mention only the following websites for more information (www.symphonicdistribution. com, www.tunecore.com and www. cdbaby.com), but for this article we will not mention them in-depth as we are not indorsing any particular distribution label or business. them to give you the information:
So, it would be wise or highly advisable for the musician or label to do some research on them individually. The good thing, I have called on some experts who have distributed their music digitally and are at a better position to give you guys more information. Let me push through a brief introduction and then allow you to see what information they have for us. Straight on the go!!! I had to call on Maplank Da Legend from Deephonix Entertainment. Then we followed with a one on one with Wit Dj from WitDj Productions,and yes he had his take on this topic. To top it all up, I called on KingBayaa to have his views.
By choosing to distribute one’s material digitally, an artist can easily create a wider reach for their fans as their music is not only distributed nationally. But the distribution of their material is not by any means area bound, but limitless. Meaning that folks even abroad can get hold of the artist’s material. What digital music distribution has done for an unsigned musician and independent music label is, it has significantly decreased the “red tape” associated with the distribution of music and not to mention lowered the costs of distributing music for an unsigned musician and independent music label. This essentially means that, we as music consumers can get to finally enjoy the music we love and support at a lower cost and also artists get to make a living from their artistic trade. With introduction of digital music distribution and sad to say piracy
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eephonix Entertainment is a music label based Pretoria, South Africa, this music label was established in the year 2014. Not only are they invloved in the recording process of their music, but they are also hands on in the distribution process of their material. We take some time-out to chill with one of its founders Maplanka Da Legend so as to get more information about Digital Music Distribution:
Sho!: In your own words, how would you describe Digital Music Distribution to a musician or an individual who does not what it is?
Maplanka Da Legend: Digital Music Distribution is when you distribute your label music or other labels music to digital stores worldwide such as traxsource, beatport, itunes, and any other music store.
Sho!: What were the reasons for you guys to distribute your music digitally? And any motivation behind those actions? Maplanka Da Legend: Honestly we distributed our music because we had challenges with our previous distributor regarding late releases, piracy of unreleased tracks and also we lacked distribution updates from him such as release date and other information that you can give to a label as a distributor meaning giving a clarity to a record label and producers.
Sho!: What would you say are the Pros and Cons for Distributing Music Digitally?
music to digital stores worldwide such as traxsource, beatport, tunes, and any other music store.
Maplanka Da Legend: Pros are when you distribute your music you are the one who is in charge of release date, daily/weekly/monthly sales reports, anti-piracy, music promotion to the Disk Jockeys or any other music supporters. The Cons are inversely proportional to the Pros because the challenge that you might get is maybe when you upload music then you have a nework problem or break down while you have reached the release deadline, other challenge maybe is when a producer is wgiving a problem regarding music royalties because of they think when you
Sho!: What were the reasons for you guys to distribute your music digitally? And any motivation behind those actions?
Sho!: In your own words, how would you describe Digital Music Distribution to a musician or an individual who does not what it is? Maplanka Da Legend: Digital Music Distribution is when you distribute your label music or other labels
Maplanka Da Legend: Honestly we distributed our music because we had challenges with our previous distributor regarding late releases, piracy of unreleased tracks and also we lacked distribution updates from him such as release date and other information that you can give to a label as a distributor meaning giving a clarity to a record label and producers. Sho!: What would you say are the Pros and Cons for Distributing Music Digitally? Maplanka Da Legend: Pros are when you distribute your music you are the one who is in charge of release date, daily/weekly/monthly sales reports,
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anti-piracy, music promotion to the Disk Jockeys or any other music supporters. The Cons are inversely proportional to the Pros because the challenge that you might get is maybe when you upload music then you have a network problem or break down while you have reached the release deadline, other challenge maybe is when a producer is giving a problem regarding music royalties because of they think when you distribute music digitally you will be generating millions of Rands so they assume that you have given them fake sales reports.
graphic designers (artworks, logos, posters, flyers, calendars, animation and any other graphics) we design graphics for companies including record labels around South Africa, and a Pianist. We also have artists like D La Dino, Maplanka Da Legend, Kay Mood, Deephonix Crew, Stan Deep, Deep Saint, Sound Illusionz, Ian Kay and ChronicalDeep. we produce good music and all genres but at the moment we release house music and its sub genres which are Afro house,
Sho!: What would you say is the best way or option for an independent musician or music label of getting their music to Online Music Stores?
Sho!: How long has your ‘Brand’ been operational and what can you offer independent musicians and music labels alike? Maplanka Da Legend: Since April 2014 we started with podcastst titled “Deephonix Sessions” and a few free music on soundcloud and datafilehost. To independent musicians and music labels we offer collaborations, remixing, mixing and mastering, artwork for a certain release, also releasing under Deephonix Records if we like your music. Sho!: For more information about your services, how can one contact you bro?
Maplanka Da Legend: The best way is to distribute for your own label or distribute for your music partners such as mentors and friends who are musicians. Sho!: Please tell us more about your Brand ‘Deephonix Records’, what is it that you guys do over there? Maplanka Da Legend: Deephonix Records is an independent and developing record label, it consist of different producers with different music styles, at different places in South Africa, Different Disk Jockeys, we also have websites developers we develop website for companies around South Africa,
music producers.
Deep House, Soulful House and Tech House around the World, we make mixtapes/podcasts for Deephonix titled “Deephonix Sessions” and guest mixes if they accept our mixes, we deejay at our local clubs and our friends parties or events and we do mixing and mastering for other
Maplanka Da Legend: One, van get hold of us through various ways as we are all over Social Media. Facebook search for us as Deephonixent and on twitter we are @Deephonixent. We can also be reached for bookings and any other music related matter through the following lines : 0748449622 / 0608419828 / 0744911955 / 0734665011 and can use the following mails too for bookings deephonix@gmail.com dalegend233@gmail.com raymondmalesa@gmail.com g.seloanejr@gmail.com iankaymusic@gmail.com bonganestanley@gmail.com keabetswekaymood@gmail.com soundillusionzmusic@gmail.com. Sho!
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traight from the recent release of his EP titled Incarnated through his Record Music Label Jubilant Records. We then get to hear from King Baya who is based in Pietermaritzburg about his views on Digital Music Distribution...
itDJ Productions (PTY) Ltd, Establish year 2012,founded by Witness Bodikwa a young man from Letlhabile situated in the North west Brits and this is what Witness had to say when had a one on one with him...
Sho!: In your own words, how would you describe Digital Music Distribution to a musician or an individual who does not what it is? Witness: Digital distribution is a platform were one can sell music to the world via online stores,its an effect way to reach many people even if you not in the same country with them,as its allows you to sell music globally with just a click of a button. Sho!: Digital Music Distribution VS The traditional means of distributing music which is physical. Which one, if any would you say is best for an independent musician or label? Witness: Digital Music Distribution according to me is the best,because now most people are always on the internet,you can buy music at you own home or on your mobile phone,with digital stores you have an option to buy only one track from the album(Ep),unlike a CD whereby you have to buy the whole CD. Sho!: What would you say in your own opinion lead to an increase in music being distributed digitally as opposed to it being distributed through the traditional physical route? Witness: The benefits are : * No CD replication costs
* No need to design a full booklet * No expensive printing costs for the booklet * Easy, worldwide distribution * Digital sales count towards soundscan and other retail charts * No marketing costs (after all, what does a link cost?) * Instant Fame (“hey guys, my album is on iTunes!) * No need for fancy mastering studios * A variety of formats (e.g., singles, EPs, special editions, remixes, etc.) Sho!: How hard is it for an independent musician or label for them to distribute their music digitally and what steps do they need to follow in order for them to successfully distribute their music digitally? Witness: It is not that really hard to distribute on digital stores.All that an independent musician or label need is a publisher and a distributor as some stores only works with distribution companies that has been in the market for a long time,internet access,to be able to upload your music. Sho!: Please tell us more about your Brand ‘WitDj Productions’, what is it that you guys do over there?
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to be heard,a chance for artists to show case what they can do,we give hope to those who are ready to take the music industry over. We also offer services like. -Audio Mix & Mastering -Digital Distribution -Publication Sho!: For more information about your services, how can one contact you bro? Witness: Demo submissions. Email to music@witdjproductions. co.za More info about us. Email us to info@witdjproductions.co.za Follow us on Twitter @WitdjProduction Facebook www.facebook.com/WitdjProductions Soundcloud http://soundcloud.com/witdj-productions Podomatic http://witdjproductions.podomatic.com/ Skype WitDJProductions Our Website www.witdjproductions.co.za Sho!
Sho!: Digital Music distribution, what would you say is it? King Bayaa: It’s a procedure where by you releasing music digitally, online {on the internet} and placing that music in online retail stores. Sho!: How easy or hard is it for an independent musician or music label for them to distribute their music digitally? King Bayaa: Honestly speaking it all goes down to how proper your marketing strategy/plan is. If you have no marketing plan then it’ll be hard but if you do, it’ll be easy as you won’t have to work twice as hard trying to Sell your music. Sho!: What are Online Music Stores and what do they actually do? King Bayaa: Online music store are like your normal music retailers but found on the internet, being in the internet of course their music database is quite huge and their main function is to sell music to anybody anywhere and at anytime. Sho!: What would you say is the best way or option for an independent musician or music label of getting their music to Online Music Stores? King Bayaa: The best option is to get a well established distributor who’ll distribute your music online in that way you avoiding a lot of admit because you can do it yourself
Witness: We a record Label that gives upcoming talent a chance
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but the catch is that you’ll spend more time trying to get your music online when you can just submit your music to a distributor that naturally deals with such. Sho!: What are the Pros and Cons for Distributing Music Digitally, according to your vast experience within the matter we dealing with here? King Bayaa: Well the PROs will be An ever-expanding online selection, The guarantee of your files being around, even if you never pay another cent to the store (if you backup) The ability to move your files wherever you want (depending on the guidelines imposed by the store) The ability to use them on a multitude of devices (again, depending on the guidelines of the store) CONs in some Digital stores You’ll have to pay for every song to listen to the entire track, so you’ll initially be out more money, Some stores, like the iTunes store, have digital rights management software that restricts the devices you can use to play the music, If you don’t backup, the tracks are gone if the drive you’re storing them on is stole lost or damaged (and it will die — it’s just a matter of when). As opposed to online stores, music subscription services like Zune and Rhapsody operate a bit differently. With a subscription service, you pay a monthly fee and you can access the service’s entire music database anywhere, anytime.
But you don’t actually download the MP3s onto your computer or MP3 devices. If you cancel the subscription, the music goes away. If you cancel your account with a music store like iTunes or Amazon, all the music you bought previously is still yours. Sho!: Please tell us more about your Brand ‘Static Plastic’, what is it that you guys do over there? King Bayaa: Well Static plastic my distributor, it distributes and publishes my Record label catalogs, it merely all that. Sho!: How long has your ‘Brand’ been operational and what can you offer independent musicians and music labels alike? King Bayaa: Well as for static plastic I can’t really say much as I’m an artist under them. But for my record label, its been 2 years and it about freedom of the craft. Basically it’s about individuals who want to expose their craft to the world without having fear of being forbidden by the mainstream. Sho!: For more information about your services, how can one contact you bro? King Bayaa: kingbayaa@gmail.com www.facebook.com/kingbayaaRSA www.twitter.com/kingbayaa www.soundcloud.com/kingbayaa www.instagram.com/kingbayaa. Sho!
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COVER
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t was not so long ago when I got introducedto Deep284. It was late last year or should I just say earlier this year.
Long story short, I was working as an A&R Co-ordinator for some South African House Music Label. So the story goes as so, the label was looking for new talent to sign up and generally as an A&R Co-ordinator, it was my task to source this new talent for them. The response was out of this world as I constantly had demo submissions in truck loads daily.
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One music demo submission stuck out for me. That house track according to me was the cream of the crop. Believe me when I say, back in those days all I did was to listen to alot of tracks and if one song stuck out. Then that means that song is the real deal. That track they submitted was simply tittled “A day in paradise�, I can still recall the track as if it was the first time hearing it. Took me to a place where I have never been before.
outh African brand of House Music is very much exciting. Every once in a while we are blessed with individuals who are destined to change the game. If there are such individuals, then this Production / Deejays Duo is the future of House Music...
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Unfortunately, Deep284 did not get signed by the label I was recruiting for, based on the fact that their sound was not the sound the label was looking for according to them. Maybe Deep284 sound is the future sound of House Music. Being the person, I am and being based on the way these guys sound made me feel. I had to do something. And this is the something we had to put together.
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ho!: Deep 284, who are the members of this Duo / Group and where are you guys based?
Deep284: The members of Deep 284 are; Bonginkosi Quentomn Mokwane A.K.A Quenton Bee and Thobani Salelwayo A.k.A Toy De Muso both based in Brakpan, Tsakane Sho: How did you guys hook up or meet and for how long has Deep 284 been in existence? Deep284: We knew each other from our Primary School level and Deep 284 has been in existance from 2013 to Date. Sho: Individually, what do you guys contribute to the Duo / Group? Deep284: We both contribute by composing house music & Deejaying. And generating Ideas for the success of the duo. Sho: Guys when did you notice that you had love for House Music and what sparked that love for House Music? “Do you have any musical influences�? Deep284: We noticed that we had love for house music durin the years of 2003-2005 when house music subconciously taken over our lives and the love for house Music was sparked by artists like Jabre and Junior Jack who were also influential to us. Sho: Musically, who have you worked with so far in this musical journey? Deep284: We have worked with Dj Power, Phly (vocalist), Killa-G(vocalist) just to mention a few.
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ho: Are there any current music projects you are involved with? Deep284: Deep 284 is so versatile, we are not only based on House Music. We also compose Hip-Hop, Kwaito, DanceHall, and RnB beats.
Sho!: Deep 284, when you not busy creating house beats, what do you guys get up too? Deep284: Quenton is currently studying Tourism at Springs College. Thobani is assisting Primary School Children with Sport,Art and Culture. Sho!: Any future or planned musical projects Deep 284 is involved with, and what can we expect from you guys in the future? Deep284: We are planning to establish our own recording Label, Podcast and our own website where people are can have easy access to our music. Sho!: Any career highlights for Deep 284, what have been your Career highlights so far? Deep284: Our career highlight was when out second single ( Day in Paradise) reached over 10000 downloads over the period of 3-4 months. Sho!: Where and how can we get hold of Deep 284 Projects or the Group? Deep284: You can finds us on the following social media platforms. Facebook : Deep 284 SoundCloud : Deep 284
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e had to do this one...This month we took some timeout to chill with the Super Talented Producer Changu Jack!!!
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orn in the late 80’s just on the outskirts of Pretoria, South Africa. Changu Jack has surfaced as one of the most talented music producers to have emerged in the awakening of the house Music genre of our generation. Changu Jack started music production a decade ago in 2006 in an informal studio built outside his family house; it was there where he absorbed the acute attention of producing world class quality music. While on his path of culminating his production skill, Jack was given an opportunity by Mexican based house producer Alex Aguilar, to produce a remix to one of his songs for BIT Mexico records. This resulted in the 2008 release of the Splendid track Alex Aguilar-Sometimes (Changu Jack remix). pretorian native Changu Jack got his first real break in 2009 when he got the opportunity to release his First EP titled “Good morning sunshine” under the France based record label “Mycrazything records”. Consecutively Jack featured on the DJ Pool global compilation with the electro banger track titled Electric Wolf. Fast forward to 2015 the club banger Good Morning Sunshine made its way to the Metro FM urban playlist. In the same year Changu Jack saw another one of his prevailing tracks Alan De Lanciere ft Miss Wonder- I want it All (Changu Jack Spectral Tech Remix) making its way swiftly into Metro FM urban beat playlist .” A very eventful and momentous year” described by the producer. Right at the end of 2015 Changu Jack released his second EP under EL Records titled “Miss Me” which included two symphonious delights The Great and the title song Miss me A connosuire in both EDM and Tribal House music Jack Changu’s work can be found on musical platforms such as >>>
Traxsource, beatport, Soundcloud and frequenting on BBC radio. Currently employed at Pioneer DJ Institute Changu Jack gives lectures on the use and application of prominent music software, while still displaying his creative intelligence on producing world-class excellent sounds.
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rom a well known township Letlhabile in the Madibeng Municipaity(Brits,North west) a young man who goes by the name of Witness Bodikwa has made a name for himself. From just a dream and the love of music, he pushed hard to b be part of the music industry by following his passion of becoming (DJ) and is known as WitDj by his followers and fans. Passion alone is what drove this young talent and gave him the edge in an industry where individualism is a hard thing to find. Being a Dj just was not enough for WitDj, as he moved to music production and at house music producer
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and at the age 25 he then started his own record label and named it WitdjProductions PTY(LTD), the company was established in the year 2012 with the aim of recruiting and grooming young talented pupils who wished to be in the music industry. Having released a number of singles under his record label not only for himself, but for other artists signed under his label. This year he is finally his House Compilation Album and has offered Sho! an exclusive. Yes, an exclusive as we are the only ones to break this story wide open... Surely these exciting news will bring with them a lot of excitement upon his fans because,truth be told. His offering has long been over due for this young man.Well,wait no more as we have confirmed that
WitDj is dropping this year. The compilation album is titled “Drop The Beat” and was mixed by the young man himself, the compilation features other young talented producers and vocalists nationality and internationally. The compilation consists of 12 bangers of tracks.Yep,rest assured you will dance to this one.Using his own words “the main reason I am doing this compilation is that the Rainbow Nation (South Africa) has a lot of undiscovered talent that really deserves a break into the music scene,and with this compilation I hope they get exposure that they deserve”. “Drop The Beat” Compilation Album will be available by end of June. Album will be available through limited online music stores and through WitDj Production Website. Also, there are plans to physically distribute the album. As for the sound, one can expect some Deep, Afro and Vocal House Jams. Issued By Grace Bodikwa
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spirant DJ’s get ready! Season 3 of 1’s and 2’s, the world’s first Televised reality DJ talent search, starts airing on SABC 1 in its new timeslot, Tuesdays at 20:30, on the 28th of June. This year the revamped show enjoys a full hour of airtime each week for 13 episodes as the show looks to find South Africa’s hottest dance music skill! Aspirant DJ’s need to get themselves to our audition host venues with their South African ID, a track they have produced by themselves and the wow factor needed to impress our judges on the decks! All
applicants must be over 18 years old and not have any existing contracts for their music or music careers. Auditions will be held on the 5th of May at the PE opera house in Port Elizabeth, from 8:00, in Durban on the 9th of May at the BAT centre from 8:00am and then at Bassline in Johannesburg on the 12th of May. The deejay hopefuls are all playing for the title of 2016 Master of spin, following on their successful predecessors DJ Mshega and Prince Kaybee. More than just a title, the winners also walk away with production and deejaying equipment and all they need to kick start their career. The show is once again hosted by 5fm DJ Thando Thabethe and the competition presided over by our
resident judges DJ Naves (Lebogang Naves) and Sphectacula (Sphe Ngwenya) from Metro FM’s “The Pre Party”. Each week the show will have celebrity guests that will help in judging the competition. “This is a search for a deejay, a producer and personality. We are looking for the wow factor” according to DJ Naves. 1’s and 2’s is the world’s first televised competition of its kind. Supported for 3 years by SABC 1 with non-stop development by production house I Love That Productions, 1’s and 2’s season 3 looks to be the best season yet! 1’s and 2’s season 3, the Search for Mzansi’s Master of Spin begins on Tuesday the 28th of June at 20:30 on SABC 1. Sho!
SHO!PLAY MARCH APRIL 2016 TOP 10 HOUSE SELECTION Khowcie - My Man (Main Mix)
Room 806 - A Hundred & One Reasons (Original Mix)
Deep’endSoul - Move Your Soul Part 2 (Tristy DeSoul Mix)
Lilac Jeans,Kule B - Hold On (HoodNatives Deeper Club Instumental)
Stan Deep - Leaving Waters (Original Mix) Zandy SheJay,Thandi Draai - Journey Into My Heart (Adam Rios&Mark Lewis Vocal Mix)
KlevaKeys - In Kontrol Ancient Deep - Shell Strippings (Original Mix) King Bayaa,S’bu Ngema - Inspiration (Kingsized Vocal Mix) Studio 905 Qrue - Groove 05 (Original Mix) Sho!Play March/April Issue4 Select Download Link : https://www.datafilehost.com/d/5537e20e
*March/April Top 10 Selected Tracks are listed in no particular order*