Okmalumkoolkat
| Okmalumkoolkat | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Smiso Zwane |
| Also known as | Future Mfana, DJ Sharp Sharp, Smart Mampara, Mlazi Milano [1] |
| Born |
July 27, 1983 Umlazi, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal |
| Origin | Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | |
| Years active | 2007–present |
| Labels |
|
| Associated acts |
|
Smiso Zwane (born 27 July 1983), commonly known by his stage name Okmalumkoolkat (sometimes stylized as OkMalumKoolKat) is a South African rapper and half of the rap/electronic duo, Dirty Paraffin. Smiso Zwane is known for a feature in Cassper Nyovest's "Gusheshe", and his famous single, "Mswenkofontein" featuring $tilo Magolide & uSanele.[2]
Life and career
Okmalumkoolkat was born in Umlazi, Durban. After graduating from college, Okmalumkoolkat moved to Johannesburg where he met Doctor SpiZee, with whom he formed Dirty Paraffin.[3]
The pair lived together and both shared a mutual passion for art which eventually led to them collaborating several times. After the house in which they lived was robbed, they had to go job hunting. Using the skills he had garnered during his college years, he designed layouts and brands for companies; most notably, Nike.
In 2012 Okmalumkoolkat worked the London production trio LV on their album, Sebenza released under Hyperdub.
2013–present: "Gusheshe" & Holy Oxygen EP
Okmalumkoolkat was featured on Cassper Nyovest's "Gusheshe" which was met with positive reviews.[4] He is currently signed to Austrian label Affine Records under which he has released his debut EP, Holy Oxygen. In 30 December 2016 he released his debut album Mlazi Milano which were supported by two singles before release which were "Ntwana Yam'" and "Gqi". "Ntwana Yam'" Was released mid August, 2016 and "Gqi" was released a month before the album. The single "Gqi" features Durban-formed duo "Amadando" and was accompanied by its music video mid March, 2017. The album was released both in iTunes and officially in music stores.[5]
Indecent assault conviction
Zwane received a six-month jail (five months suspended) sentence in Hobart, Tasmania in January 2016 for indecently touching a female colleague in a Hobart hotel room while attending the 2016 MONA FOMA festival. He returned drunk to the Old Woolstore Hotel in Hobart and was unable to find his room, following which he entered a female artists hotel room and indecently assaulted her. Zwane's lawyers requested a fine instead of jail sentence but were knockedback as Zwane was scheduled to leave Australia the next day and the fine could not be enforced once he was overseas.[6]
Discography
Commercial mixtapes
- Holy Oxygen (EP) (2014)
- 100k MaCassette(Mixtape) (2015)
- Holy Oxygen II (EP) (2017)
Studio albums
- Mlazi Milano (2016)
As featured artist
| Year | Title | Other artist(s) | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | "Gusheshe" | Cassper Nyovest | Tsholofelo |
| 2014 | "Amantombazane" | Riky Rick | Family Values |
| "Amantombazane (Remix)" | Riky Rick, Kwesta, Kid X, Nadia Nakai, Ginger Trill | Family Values | |
| "Bump the Cheese Up (Remix)" | Reason, AKA, Tol A$$ Mo | Non-album single | |
| "Nice Shandees" | Sibot | Arc Eyes (EP) | |
| "Bob Mabena" | JR, Spoek Mathambo | TBA |
References
- ↑ "Interview: Okmalumkoolkat". The Fader. Retrieved 4 April 2014.
- ↑ "Sunglass Hut Presents Smiso Zwane".
- ↑ "Popping Up With Okmalumkoolkat".
- ↑ "Gusheshe ft. Okmalumkoolkat Okayafrica". Okayafrica. Retrieved 2016-02-10.
- ↑ http://blacknationmag.com/pop-culture-news/okmalumekoolkat-signs-to-austrian-label-affin Archived July 14, 2014, at the Wayback Machine.
- ↑ "Mofo rapper jailed for assault on sleeping fellow artist". themercury.com.au. The Mercury. Retrieved 21 January 2016.