MXO

MXO is a South African musician based in Johannesburg.

MXO 'The Real MXO' Lokwe has adorned the South African music industry for over 13 years. He is a visionary and a trailblazer in the artistic scene. His quirky, eccentric and authentic fashion style, matched by his bewitching raspy voice, prove that he is anything but ordinary. His debut single 'Sista Kunjani' intricately showcased his distinct way of moulding Afro-soul, jazz, funk, traditional and modern pop.

In 2004 he released 'Peace of Mind', which marked the arrival of a musical force, spawning multiple hits like 'Zand’iyibone', 'Delilah', 'Nomalizo' and 'Tonight'. Rich with enchanting Xhosa lyrics and immaculately marrying funk, jazz, soul, pop, traditional and rock, he made being an alternative musician popular in a time when it was still misunderstood.

Born and bred in the dynamic city of Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape, he grew up soaking in the music of Prince, Peter Tosh, Bob Marley, Sade, Guru, Caiphus Semenya, Stimela, Fela Kuti, Michael Jackson and early SA bubble gum music. He would mimic his favourite stars, already envisioning a life as a rock star. He later worked at Musica, which became a musicology to him, introducing him to a wide spectrum of artists like Bill Withers, Finley Quaye, Omar Lye-Fook, Jamiroquai and Coldplay. He also gained a deep appreciation for underground music.

As a live act, he chiselled his chops by performing in nightclubs around Johannesburg and at popular artistic hubs Melville, Yeoville and Hillbrow. He developed a bold live persona that made him a crowd favourite. Since then he has shared stages with heavyweights like Hugh Masekela, John Legend, Saul Williams, Incognito, Leandro Lehart, Maxwell and Mandoza. He has also rocked stages in Switzerland, Germany, Brazil, Tanzania, France, Japan and China, to name a few.

He has an extensive discography, with seven studio albums released: 'Another Day' (2003), 'Piece of Mind' (2004), 'I Am Funk' (2007), 'Lost Tapes' (2008), 'Street Pedigree' (2009), 'Sounds in Motion' (2010), 'Mxevolution' (2013), 'Jungle Fever' (2015) and 'MXO and the Peppercorns Compilation and DVD' (2016). With every album he has displayed an admirable artistic growth, which is evident in his 2016 Roots2000 project with Sliq Angel, and now, with 2017 MXO and Friends.

Like a true veteran, the singer has been nominated for numerous awards. He has been nominated at the Channel O Awards, AFRIMAs, SAMAs, MAMAs and won a Metro Award in 2008 for his collaboration with Kwela Tebza for the song 'Better Days'.

The singer loves collaborating with musicians as a way to explore other musical avenues. He has made music with Hugh Masekela, Mandoza, Joe Nina, Blk Sunshine, Tokollo (Magesh), Simphiwe Dana, Trompies, Sliq Angel, 340ml, Glen Lewis, The Floacist (Floetry), Keith Murray, Tumi, AKA, Morafe, Stoan Seate & Apple Seed (Bongo Maffin), Riky Rick, Black Motion, Heavy K, Sliq Angel, Okmalumkoolkat and Black Coffee.

He recently launched a new digital platform, Mlok.co.za, which aims to showcase indie musicians to a wider audience.