Salmin Kasimu Maengo (born 9 May 1995), popularly known by his producer-artist name S2KIZZY, is a Tanzanian record producer and songwriter. He is best known for producing Bongo Flava songs "Amaboko" by Rayvanny ft Diamond Platnumz, and "Tetema" by Rayvanny ft Diamond platnumz. He has produced albums for and overseen the careers of Diamond Platnumz, Rayvanny, Bill Nass and Vanessa Mdee. He is credited as a 'super-producer' in contemporary Bongo-Flava, Bongo-Trap, Afrobeats and Afro-pop.[1]
S2KIZZY | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Salmin Kasimu Maengo |
| Also known as | Zombie |
| Born | 9 May 1995 Mbeya, Tanzania |
| Genres | Bongo Flava, Afropop, Afrobeats, Hip hop, Amapiano |
| Occupation(s) | record producer, songwriter, singer producer (music) |
| Instrument(s) | Keyboard, piano,guitar |
| Years active | 2015–present |
| Labels | Pluto Records |
Career edit
Maengo is the founder and current CEO of Pluto Records, but works predominantly with WCB (Wasafi Classic Baby).[2]
Amber Rose may be working on a project with him.[3]
Early life and career beginnings edit
Salmin, named after the late President of Zanzibar Salmin Amour, was born in Mbeya, and raised by his auntie as her own. His mother passed away when he was 3 years old, shortly after which his father left and remarried. He was raised a Muslim.
His interest in music begin early, and during primary school he started to learn how to play the drums. Later, during his secondary years he attended a boarding school kwiro boys high school in Morogoro, Tanzania. He used this opportunity to borrow his teacher's laptop which he used to self-teach music production. He would tell his auntie that he needed to stay in the school during the holidays as punishment, to insure that he had time to focus on improving his craft.
He has described in several interviews the struggles he faced at the start of his career.
Events edit
In 2020 there was a break-in at his studio in Dar es Salaam which was widely reported. Then President of Tanzania, John Pombe Joseph Magufuli, vouched to find the responsible party and government representatives personally investigated the matter.[4][5]
In 2021 when the late president of Tanzania, John Pombe Magufuli, passed S2Kizzy together with AYO LIZER, ABBAH PROCESS, DONNY and other producers produced a song to commemorate his legacy featuring several Tanzanian artistes. The collaboration was widely reported and featured artists such as: Zuchu, Ben Pol, Diamond Platnumz, Rayvanny, Jux, Queen Darleen, Lava Lava,darasa, and Marioo, amongst others.[6]
Awards and nominations edit
| Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019[7] | Afrima | Music Producer of The Year | S2KIZZY | Nominated |
| 2020[8] | Sound City MVP Award | African Producer of The Year | S2KIZZY | Nominated |
Produced songs and features edit
| Year | Title |
|---|---|
| 2018 | "Pochi Nene"- Rayvanny (feat. S2Kizzy) |
| "Papara"- Mimi Mars | |
| 2019 | "Tetema"- Rayvanny (feat. Diamond Platnumz) |
| "Doko"- Whozu | |
| "Nah Easy"- Tanasha Donna | |
| "Watoto"- Country Boy (feat. Harmonize) | |
| "Moyo"- Vanessa Mdee | |
| "Bado"- Vanessa Mdee (feat. Rayvanny) | |
| "Sumaku"- Jux (feat. Vanessa Mdee) | |
| "Pepeta"- Nora Fatehi (feat. Rayvanny) | |
| "Bugana"- Nandy (feat. Bill Nass) | |
| "Sensema"- Hamisa Mobetto (feat. Whozu) | |
| "Tetema (Remix)"- Rayvanny (feat. Diamond Platnumz, Pitbull, Mohombi, Jeon) | |
| "Vumbi"- Rayvanny (feat. Diamond Platnumz) | |
| 2020 | "La Vie"- Tanasha Donna (feat. Mbosso) |
| "Bench"- King Kaka (feat. Bill Nass) | |
| "Take me away"- Romy Jons (feat. Ycee, Vanessa Mdee) | |
| "Baba Lao"- Diamond Platnumz | |
| 2021 | "Kadada"- Mbosso (feat. Darassa) |
| "Lala Salama"- Diamond Platnumz, Zuchu, Ben Pol, Rayvanny, Jux, Mbosso, Marioo, Darassa, Queen Darleen, Khadija Kopa | |
| "Senorita"- Rayvanny (feat. Gims) |
References edit
- ^ "7 Bongo-Trap Songs You Need to Hear Right Now". Okayafrica.com. 22 May 2018. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
- ^ "WEUSI – Showtime". Notjustok.com. 28 May 2019. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
- ^ Clouds Media (16 December 2020). s2KIZZY na AMBER ROSE"Nini kinaendelea"/ baba ALIYEMBAKA mtoto wake"JELA kifungo cha maisha...!".
- ^ Millard Ayo (15 October 2020). GOVERNMENT SPEAKER ARRIVED AT S2KIZZY ATTACKED STUDIO, TO TALK ABOUT THIS.
- ^ Sam Misago (15 October 2020). BREAKING NEWS: S2KIZZY Attacked studio, stripped naked, beaten with sticks, broke studio equipment.
- ^ Pulse Live (18 March 2021). TANZANIAN ARTISTES HIT THE STUDIO TO COMPOSE SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO MAGAFULI HOURS AFTER HIS DEATH.
- ^ "Here are the 2019 AFRIMMA Nominees". Okayafrica.com. 7 August 2019. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
- ^ "Soundcity MVP Awards: Burna Boy, Naira Marley, Rema collect award". BBC.com. 12 January 2020. Retrieved 10 January 2021.