Mpumi Dhlamini

He has three studio albums (Combined Elements, Note To Self and Imvuselelo); With Combined elements (2007), being a subsidiary of Sony BMG, and a self-produced debut featuring a host of musicians including; Fana Zulu (bass), Victor Masondo (guitar and bass), Carlo Mombelli (fretless bass), Adam Howard (trumpet), Vusi Khumalo (drums), and Justin Holcroft (tenor, soprano sax). On this album, Mpumi plays accordion, piano, saxophone, the Rhodes keyboard (and more). His second album Note To self which was released in 2018 is completely self-contained. He composed, produced, and played all the instruments including vocals, featuring Tshepo Tsotetsi on "A Night on The Moon and Skhumbuzo Mbhele on drums. His third album (Imvuselelo) he once again composed, produced, and played all the instruments including vocals and had a few guests on the project namely, Sphelelo Mazibuko ,Skhumbuzo Mbhele who both played the drums on a few tracks, as well as Tshepo Tsotetsi on saxophone. On this offering, he explores sounds of iconic genres like swing and blues which also alludes to his signature eastern and African indigenous, church, and folk-influenced sounds that was released exclusively on his website on the 27th of January 2022. He has future projects that feature the likes of Jimmy Dludlu (guitar), Ayo Solanke (saxophone), Wanda Baloyi, Kabomo, Morore “Morayks” Mphahlele, Lebo Mashile, Adam Glasser (harmonica), Mark Fransman (saxophone), Tshepo Mngoma (violin), Shaluza Max” Mtambo and Tlale Makhene. Dhlamini has been a Music Director and Producer on many occasions; in 2009 to 2011 he was Lira’s music director for her Celebration DVD which won SAMA's Best DVD. In 2013 he went on to become the Music Director for SABC 1’s Live AMP as well as the Producer and Creative Director for Mzantsi Jazz Awards in 2020. From 2022 Dhlamini has been the composer and musical Director for Sesame season 13-18. His most recent project is being Mzansi magic’s Afropop Nation Season two’s Musical director and Co-producer. A few of the albums he has produced are, Bryce Anderson (2010- Co-Produced), which won best RnB both for the MTN SAMA Awards and Metro Awards Martin Phike- Man On A Mission (2011) Zama Jobe – Trail Blazer (2012-composed and produced) Lulu Dikana (2012-Co produced and composed ) which was nominated for the Best Produced Album; Best Female Album; Best Contemporary Jazz Album Proverb (2013) Khuli Chana (2012 as Music Director) Tsepo Tshola (2013) (composed and produced) Kabomo (2014,16,18) (composed and produced)SAMA nominated album “Sekusile, Wanda Baloyi (2015-Love And Life) which went on to win Contemporary Jazz Album at the METRO Awards Brian Temba (2017 produced) Mpumi is the head of MoBlaq Productions, his own record label which he founded in 2015 after gaining experience as Label Manager and Head A&R at TMP Records. In January 2024 he was announced as a Roland Ambassador.