In 2015 three boys from Durban had the whole of Mzansi with their unique sound Gqom-trap, pioneered in their breakout single ‘Wangnika’ featuring Aewon Wolf. Their signature sound took hold of the country when they released their nationwide hit ‘Nomusa.’ This was the era of Babes Wodumo and Emtee’s come up— WTF was a cocktail of both sounds.
Young party goers, shirtless white kids and backpack carrying black kids at Hunters and Castle hosted festivals in Joburg, or Durban July, were all singing “Nomusa, Nomusa, I won’t fall for her rachet trap.”
Then their debut album ‘Finding Nomusa‘ arrived and the boys toured the country, from the Cape to Limpopo, and got nominations in the Metro FM Awards for Best Hit Single (iLife) and won best newcomer at the South African Hip Hop Awards, and Best Group at the 2016 South African Music Awards.
‘iLife’ had such big names as JR, Slique and Okmalumkoolkat on it alongside the boys.
But then when the world was ready for their music, they disappeared.
WTF Happened to WTF?
Witness the Funk was made up of three young boys from Durban, Lindokuhle ‘Efelow’ Gcwensa, Charles ‘Aux Cable’ Mchunu, and Nhlakanipho ‘Moshine Magnif’ Shongwe.
The oldest of the three Moshine was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and could no longer continue with the group, most SA music fans thought the group had gone into oblivion ,but the other two members Aux Cable and Efelow had to go on as solo acts, but they could not quite tech the heights the group had seen in its short stint.
Sad to see that such a vibrant act that looked like they were about to dominate the new generation of SA hip hop, just fizzle out into thin air after dominating Mzansi social media, even bagging a feature with DJ Tira on ‘Sbusiso.’
The group went from a MAMAS performance in 2015 to rape allegations against all three members in April 2016, which was the beginning of their silence on the music scene.
A few years ago, Moshine was spotted on the streets of Durban freestyling, looking nothing like he used to back in the group’s heydays. Rumours flew that his drastic health and physical changes is not only due to his disorder but also as a result of chronic drug use.
All we know now is that the group is still making music as a duo, but there is no concrete news about a release or a show.
What’s your favorite WTF song?
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