Lunatik (record producer)

Mnqobi Nxumalo (born 8 June 1994), professionally known as Lunatik (or Lunatik Beats) is a recording artist, songwriter, and record producer born in the town of Empangeni, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.^[1] He founded the hip hop sub-genre known as Skhanda along with South African rapper K.O.^[2]

Lunatik
Background information
Birth name	Mnqobi Nxumalo
Born	(1994-06-08) 8 June 1994 (age 30) Empangeni, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Origin	Esikhawini, KwaZulu-Natal
Genres	Hip hop Kwaito Skhanda
Occupation(s)	record producer songwriter
Instruments	Piano sampler
Years active	2009–present
Labels	Wav Fiends

Early life

Lunatik started making music in 2009. He started releasing his own mixtapes at the age of 15 while producing for a number of local rappers from his hometown. He matriculated from Grantliegh College in 2012 and subsequently relocated to Johannesburg, where he enrolled at the Academy of Sound Engineering but later dropped out. Through his uncle he was introduced to Jabu Nkabinde (Rich Mahog) who is close friends with rapper AKA,^[3] who then took him under his wing.

Career

2013–15

He became one of the most sought after producers in the industry after the release of rapper K.O's 2014 mainstream hip hop album Skhanda Republic. He produced 9 out of 11 songs on the album.^[4][5] The album included the self produced hit song Caracara featuring former label mate Kid X which was released by Cashtime Life on 3 March 2014. The song was a major crossover hit and peaked at number 6 on South Africa's official music chart. The song also went on to become the first hip hop song in South African history to amass over 1 million views on YouTube.^[6] The song was also nominated for Best Hit Single, Best Collaboration and Best Music Video at the 14th Annual Metro FM Awards.^[7] During his tenure at Cashtime Life, Lunatik was also handling production for then label mates Kid X, Ma-E, Moozlie and Maggz.

2015–17

After the success of Skhanda Republic Lunatik left Cashtime Life to partner with Ambitiouz Entertainment, a record label founded by Kgosi Mahumapelo,^[8] brother to the South African politician Supra Mahumapelo. During his partnership with Ambitiouz he produced a number of singles for Fifi Cooper, A-Reece, Saudi, Sjava, Miss Pru and Emtee. The most notable production during this era was Ameni, produced alongside Tweezy, Ruff & Bizzboi and Amanda Black's hit singles "Amazulu", produced alongside Christer & Vuyo Manyike, which went on to be certified platinum by RISA and "Kahle" which was certified Gold.

2021–present: New projects

At the 2021 South African Hip Hop Awards, he received a nomination for Producer of the Year.^[9]

Discography

Singles produced

• "Caracara" (feat. Kid X)" (2014)
• "Pass n Special" Kid X (2014)
• "Coolerbag" Kid X (2014)
• "uGogo" Ma-E (2014)
• "Cho Dlozi" Maggz (2014)
• "Dont Panic" Dj Speedsta & Moozlie
• "Phanda Mo" Dj Slim (feat. Yanga, Tshego, Emtee and Cassper Nyovest) (2016)
• "Ameni" Ms. Pru (2016)
• "Vura" Dj Citilyts (2015)
• "Winning" A-Reece
• "Platinum" Emtee (2017)
• "Pray For Me" Emtee
• "Bambelela" Emtee
• "My OG" Emtee
• "Kulomhlaba" Sjava
• "Wamuhle" Sjava
• "Amazulu" Amanda Black
• "Kahle" Amanda Black
• "Amalobolo" Okmalumkoolkat
• "Smokolo"^[10] Priddy Ugly (2017)
• "Hase Mo States" Cassper Nyovest (2018)
• "Mshimane 2.0" Stino Le Thwenny (feat. K.O, Khuli Chana and Major League DJ's)
• "Abafana Aba Hot" Touchline (feat. K.O) (2022)

Awards and nomination

Award	Year	Recipient(s) and nominee(s)	Category	Result	Ref.
South African Hip Hop Awards	2021	Himself	Producer of the Year	Nominated	[11]

References

1. "Beatenberg and hip hop win big at the SA Music Awards". News24. 29 April 2015. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
2. "5 young producers behind your favourite hip hop hits". livemag.co.za. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
3. "Cassper Responds To Rich Mahogany Saying It's Difficult For Him In AKA Beef". SA Hip Hop Mag. 13 September 2018. Retrieved 9 April 2019.
4. "K.O Declares 'Skhanda Republic' The Best Album Of All Time!". SA Hip Hop Mag. 29 March 2017. Retrieved 9 April 2019.
5. "Top South African Trap Producers". okayafrica. Retrieved 17 February 2020.^{[permanent dead link]}
6. yomzansi (3 October 2014). "K.O's #Caracara music video hits 1 million views". YoMZansi. Retrieved 9 April 2019.
7. "MMA14 Nomination List". beta.sabc.co.za. Archived from the original on 7 December 2021. Retrieved 9 April 2019.
8. "10 Things You Must Know About The Ambitiouz Entertainment Drama". SA Hip Hop Mag. 20 February 2017. Retrieved 9 April 2019.
9. Bukola. "Full list of 2021 SA Hip Hop Awards nominees | Fakaza News". Fakaza News. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
10. "Priddy Ugly Shares #EGYPTDLX Tracklist With Pre-Order Ahead Of Release". www.slikouronlife.co.za. Retrieved 9 April 2019.
11. "SA Hip Hop Awards 2021: All the nominees". Music In Africa. 3 November 2021. Retrieved 26 November 2021.