Sometimes, the universe speaks in a language all its own. For M&L Studios, that language was music.

Three artists from different corners: Sandile ‘Pitso97’ Gumede, Khusela ‘Manekoo’ Sipambo, and Buthanani ‘Thole Lesilo’ Sipambo, met, and, without saying much, their energies, rhythms, and stories all just understood each other. They have now released new music, and even invited two other artists to the party.

What makes their sound so compelling, is that it’s deeply shaped by the unique journeys and experiences of each member of the crew.

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Pitso97 brings soulful energy, which comes from personal experiences of healing and reflection, Manekoo’s verses carry the rawness of real-life struggles, unspoken emotions, and a strong hip-hop influence, and Thole Lesilo draws from a rural upbringing, expressing his emotions through a unique singing style inspired by ATM.

Together, these different backgrounds create music that is emotional, honest, and rooted in real stories that many people can relate to.

“This project was born from a movement started in 2025, by Maneko, Lesilo, Dr Wave, and me,” said Pitso97. “Our goal was to merge different textures: hip hop, soulful vocals, and rural influences, into one distinct musical identity.

The project came together naturally, as each artist brought their strengths into the studio, guided by Wave’s production direction.”

He said, for this project, they collaborated with two powerhouse artists, Snethemba ‘Snymaan Qabanation’ Bibi and Mpho ‘Majorkeys’ Major, both highly respected in the Eastern Cape. “Their experience and artistry brought incredible value, and helped elevate our sound. They also helped introduce M&L Studios to a wider audience in the province.

“We also worked with Cwenga ‘Gxarha’ Nomnganga, who appears on a surprise track to be revealed later. Each collaborator added their own texture, from vocal presence to musical direction, and helped refine the overall feel of the project.”

Pitso97 first came to Fourways in pursuit of better opportunities. Although his job as a security officer came to an end, he remained optimistic that his musical talent would propel him to success, and enable him to provide for his family. He is doing exactly that.

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“We will be sharing official performance dates soon, with shows planned. Fans can expect high-energy performances with deep emotional moments, live chemistry between the artists, and unforgettable appearances from the featured collaborators.

The shows will highlight the diversity of our sound, from soulful and healing to expressive, raw, and energetic.”

Manekoo said this music project came with some lessons for each of them.

“I learned to embrace emotional vulnerability in his writing, Pitso97 discovered how powerful his calming vocal approach is, when layered with other textures, and Thole Lesilo learned to trust his unique sound, and not compare himself to anyone else.

“As a team, we learned discipline, patience, and the importance of respecting each other’s creative processes. The studio chemistry became one of our biggest strengths.”

Their songs are available on all music streaming platforms.

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