Well-known musical maestro Professor Matodzi Tommy Mariba recently recorded his fourth and fifth music singles, titled Maemu u a delela and Let it Go. The singles were released this month, with Maemu u a delela being released on 5 October, followed by Let it Go a week later. Both tracks were engineered and recorded by Mulalo Mukwevho at Burning Shack Studios in Thohoyandou Block F.
Mariba, an accomplished musician from Vhembe, hails from Phadzima village in the Vhulaudzi area. In addition to his musical pursuits, he has had a distinguished career in the medical field. He previously served as the Head of the Orthopaedic Surgery Unit and the Head of the Spinal Unit at Dr. George Mukhari Academic Hospital, where he worked since 2012. He now practices independently as an orthopaedic and spine surgeon at Louis Pasteur Hospital in Pretoria Central.
Mariba's musical journey began many years ago when he learned to play the acoustic guitar in primary school. Five years ago, he launched a YouTube channel, Beautiful Guitars, focusing on guitar reviews and related gear.
During an interview with Limpopo Mirror this week, he shared that his music had been submitted for consideration at the Tshivenda Music Awards, hosted by Phalaphala FM. Although he wanted to enter with Let it Go, the song was ineligible as it is in English. "So, I entered with the song Chezla Pozla. I want to go out there and test my music against the best in the local music industry," he said.
Mariba added that Let it Go is currently performing well. "Music fans seem to like it more than all my other songs, and I hope it will catapult the band to become one of the best in the country," he said.