From the jam-filled rooms of his childhood home to global recognition, Menelik Nesta ‘Don Dada’ Gibbons’ journey into music was never a career decision, he describes it as a calling.

As a child, this Northcliff resident would sit quietly in the corner, mesmerised by the passion of his father and the professional musicians who filled their home with rhythm and soul. It was a school talent showcase that ignited his own spark – a spontaneous freestyle moment that revealed music was not only natural to him, but necessary.

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By Grade 9, he was recording tracks, performing at ciphers, and shaping a path that would carry him far beyond the classroom.

Today, he is both an artist and a mentor, having returned to the Academy of Sound Engineering, not as a student, but as a guest lecturer guiding the next generation. What drives him, he says, is love: Love for music, and for the profound ways it connects, heals, and liberates people. For him, music is a multidimensional force: Emotional, spiritual, and cultural capable of empowering the unheard and uniting humanity.

His journey has been shaped by lessons of authenticity and purpose. “Adapt, but never dilute,” he emphasised, keeping Africa at the core of his creativity. He champions sustainability in the industry, reminding artists that their voice is art, but their rights are their legacy.

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This musician’s accolades reflect both artistry and impact. Multi-platinum success for Viva Mandela, a special recognition award from the South African Upcoming Musicians Awards, the Pan Afrika Voice of Unity honour, and his appointment as a voting member of the Grammys.

This year, he celebrates the success of his EP: Forward We Continue, and the global resonance of his latest single, Peace, a powerful reinterpretation of Bob Marley’s War.

Rooted in Rastafari and raised on reggae’s greatest pioneers, Don Dada didn’t choose reggae – reggae chose him. Looking ahead, he aims to elevate African reggae on global stages, build creative hubs across the continent, and use music as a tool for unity, education, and transformation.

For him, the mission is clear: Purpose, love, and impact.

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