Tshepo Bure, known professionally as Da Muziqal Chef, is a South African Amapiano record producer, DJ, and multi-instrumentalist who has become one of the genre’s most sought-after hitmakers. Born and raised in Soweto, he has risen from humble beginnings to become a multi-platinum record producer with numerous chart-topping hits and collaborations with some of Amapiano’s biggest names. His distinctive production style, which blends warm piano melodies, layered percussion, and rich instrumental textures, has earned him a reputation as one of the most versatile producers in the South African music industry.
Personal Information
Full name: Tshepo Bure
Stage name: Da Muziqal Chef
Date of birth: 1995 (age 30 as of 2025)
Place of birth: Soweto, Gauteng, South Africa
Nationality: South African
Occupation: Record Producer, DJ, Multi-instrumentalist, Songwriter
Genres: Amapiano, Afro-house, Jazz-infused Amapiano
Instruments: Piano, keyboard, drums
Years active: 2021 to present
Labels: Aces of Spade Records, Universal Music
Early Life and Education
Da Muziqal Chef was born and bred in Soweto, where his love for music was nurtured from a young age. He grew up in a musically inclined family, with his father being a trumpeter. His musical journey began at the age of 12 when he joined his local church band as a drummer. This early exposure to music laid the foundation for his future career as a producer and multi-instrumentalist.
During his high school years, he moved to Vosloorus and later settled in Lenasia South. It was during this time that he came up with his stage name Da Muziqal Chef, inspired by his love for both food and music. His passion for music led him to pursue formal education in the field, and he went on to study Digital Music Composition & Production at Boston Media House in 2016. This training helped him refine his technical skills and understanding of music production.
Stage Name Origin
Da Muziqal Chef’s unique stage name reflects his dual passion for food and music. Like a chef who carefully prepares a meal with the right ingredients, he approaches music production with the same meticulous attention to detail, blending different sounds and influences to create his signature Amapiano sound. His nickname perfectly captures his creative process and his ability to “cook up” hit tracks in the studio.
Music Career Beginnings
Da Muziqal Chef started his career by making instrumental Amapiano music, which was the standard for the genre before it exploded into the mainstream. His first release came in 2021 with the project Muziqal Fiesta, which showcased his ability to collaborate seamlessly with vocalists, songwriters, and other producers.
His breakthrough came in 2021 with the release of “Emlanjeni,” a collaboration with De Mthuda and Sir Trill that skyrocketed in popularity and amassed over 2 million YouTube views. This track, which appears on De Mthuda’s album The Landlord, established Da Muziqal Chef as a force to be reckoned with in the Amapiano scene. The song describes a journey through heavy rain to reach a loved one, with the performer promising to be waiting at the river.
His success continued with the release of “John Wick” featuring Sir Trill in 2021, which became one of the biggest Amapiano tracks of the year. The song was certified multi-platinum, cementing his status as a hitmaker. He also achieved platinum certifications for “uMsholozi” and “Abekho Ready”.
Major Collaborations and Hit Songs
One of Da Muziqal Chef’s most successful collaborations has been with fellow Amapiano powerhouse producer De Mthuda. The two became good friends before they started working together, which has made their creative process natural and organic. Together, they have produced numerous hits including “Sgudi Snyc” (2023), “John Wick,” and “Nguwe”.
His track “John Wick” featuring Sir Trill became a modern-era classic and earned him a spot on Spotify’s Top Ten South African Songs and Artists of 2021. His production skills are highly sought-after, and he enjoys a huge fan base on social media, with more than 212,000 likes on his Facebook page alone.
Other notable collaborations include work with Sino Msolo and Malumanator. In October 2023, he released the “Just a Taste” EP, which was well-received by fans and included the single “Ubumnandi”. He later released an extended play version with additional tracks including “Ngino Mona” featuring Mawhoo, “Hlala Nawe” featuring Azana, and “Mzwangedwa” featuring Eemoh.
Recognition and Achievements
Da Muziqal Chef’s talent and impact on the Amapiano genre have been widely recognized by major industry players. In 2024, Apple Music crowned him the Isgubhu Cover Star, a recognition reserved for trailblazers shaping the future of African dance and electronic music. As part of this recognition, he created an exclusive Isgubhu playlist featuring tracks that have inspired him, including music from Black Motion, Kelvin Momo, and Something Soweto.
His platinum plaques include:
2x Platinum for “John Wick”
1x Platinum for “uMsholozi”
1x Platinum for “Abekho Ready”
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Musical Style and Production Approach
Da Muziqal Chef’s music is characterized by its warm Amapiano sound, which blends traditional South African rhythms with modern production techniques. His approach to making music is organic; he starts with musical elements before introducing drums as the song builds up.
As a multi-instrumentalist, his musical training on drums and other instruments has given him a unique perspective on production. He has cited Dr Duda as his biggest musical inspiration and role model. His production style often incorporates elements of jazz, deep house, and soulful instrumentation, bridging emotion and rhythm.
He maintains consistency in the industry by spending most of his time writing and fine-tuning lyrics and beats, sometimes taking up to a year to get a track right. He believes in staying focused and surrounding himself with South African music giants who inspire him to keep pushing.
Discography
Muziqal Fiesta (2021)
Obrigado (with Murumba Pitch) (2022)
Sgudi Snyc (with De Mthuda) (2023)
Just a Taste EP (2023)
Just a Taste (Extended Play) (2024)
Isinamuva (with GL Ceejay) (2024)
IKUMKANI (2025)
Future Projects and Aspirations
Da Muziqal Chef has announced his upcoming album titled IKUMKANI, which translates to “The King” in isiXhosa. The title signals a powerful new chapter for the artist, who has steadily risen to prominence as one of Amapiano’s most musically versatile producers.
He has expressed a desire to travel the world and become an internationally renowned producer and DJ. His goal is to heal hearts and give people hope for a better life and future through his music. He believes his music can stretch beyond the parameters of the Amapiano genre because of his versatility as a producer.
The announcement of IKUMKANI was accompanied by a striking new artwork and a full reset of his Instagram presence, signalling a creative rebirth ahead of this new era.
Impact on Amapiano Scene
Da Muziqal Chef has had a significant impact on the Amapiano music scene since his breakthrough in 2021. His production skills are highly sought-after, and his work has helped shape the sound of contemporary Amapiano music. His collaborations with other producers and artists have pushed the genre forward, blending traditional elements with modern sounds.
As a producer who came from humble beginnings, his journey from Soweto to becoming a multi-platinum record producer serves as an inspiration to aspiring musicians and producers across South Africa. His success demonstrates that talent, hard work, and dedication can overcome obstacles and lead to international recognition.