Don Laka

Donald Mahwetša Laka (born 15 December 1958 in Mamelodi, Pretoria), professionally known as Don Laka, is a South African jazz musician, songwriter and music producer. He is co-founder of Kalawa Jazzmee and owner of Bokone Music. Laka is interviewed in the documentary SHARP SHARP! - the kwaito story (2003), where he discusses his role in developing the dance music form known as kwaito.

Albums that have sold more than 100,000 copies, winning gold and then platinum awards include;

• "Destiny" (1996)
• "Supernova" (1998)
• ”Pyramid” (2000)
• ”Paradise and ”Poison”

Laka finished the Royal School of Music with a Grade 8 on the classical guitar, and later obtaining his licentiate in high school music teaching in 1979. Apartheid laws prevented him from enrolling at the Pretoria Conservatoire, so he began working as a clerk in a grocery store.

From 1980 to 1981, he joined the Afro fusion group, Sakhile that was formed by Sipho Gumede and Khaya Mahlangu. The group revolutionised South African music, and set a trend for groups like Bayete. He played with many South African notables such as Joy, Brenda Fassie, Sipho Mabuse and Sankomota.

Laka recorded his first big hit with a group called "Umoja" before moving on to form his own British-rock influenced band, "Ymage". The group performed together for ten years and recorded 12 Albums, including an album produced by Tony Visconti (David Bowie, T Rex) who passed on much of his knowledge, allowing Laka to explore new territory as a producer and arranger.

In the 90s, after a stint living in Germany and playing in a South African Jazz/mbhaqanga band, Laka formed an independent record label called "Kalawa Jazzmee" and produced songs by artists such as Brothers of Peace and Boom Shaka.

In 1990, Don began writing big orchestral arrangements for Sibongile Khumalo. She performed his songs at notable venues such as the National Symphony Orchestra of South Africa. In 1991, he also collaborated with Yvonne Chaka Chaka and Rebecca Malope.

In the late 1990's Laka’s solo career was given a substantial boost with the release of the album"Destiny", a fusion of hip-hop, traditional African rhythms, classical music and pop that saw Laka playing drums, bass, guitar, piano and soprano Sax. Two more equally acclaimed albums, “Supernova” and “Pyramid” followed the successful album.

In 2013 Laka received a Grammy nomination for "best world music CD" for Hugh Masekela’s ‘Jabulani’ album along with an FNB South African Music Award nomination as Best Producer.

Albums

2010: Poison 2008: Paradise
2007: Invitation
2002: Armageddon
2001: Pyramid
1998: Super Nova
1997: Destiny
1987: Smile
1984: I Wanna Be Myself

Singles & EPs

1986: Stages Of Love (EP)