“I never imagined that I could become a DJ, much less a producer – I always believed that such opportunities were reserved for those who are privileged, hailing from affluent backgrounds and are familiar with digital technology,” Mpumezo Hobe stated.
Mpumezo is a record producer specialising in Afro House music and also works as a DJ in club settings.
He was born and raised in Ngqeleni, a small town located to the west of Pondoland in the Eastern Cape province. Mpumezo, who is known by his stage name Eazy Mezzo, grew up in a large family under the nurturing care of his grandmother.
Growing up in the small town of Ngqeleni, Eazy Mezzo expressed that he struggled to identify any local DJs or individuals who exhibited creativity in music. “You could say that diminished my enthusiasm for music production to some degree, as there was a lack of inspiration to aspire to,” he remarked.
Following his completion of high school, Eazy Mezzo relocated to Durban in pursuit of better opportunities. It was in Durban that his music career began to flourish, leading to the adoption of his ‘stage’ name ‘Eazy Mezzo.’
The journey started in 2015 when he began his career as a DJ by producing mixtapes on his computer. Eazy Mezzo states that he has evolved from making mixtapes in his backyard to understanding the intricacies of the music industry and eventually creating EPs.
In Durban, Eazzy Mezzo did not solely concentrate on music; he also enrolled in a course in Office Management at Global Gold Computer College in KZN to enhance his skills in that area.
His sources of inspiration include Bojo Mojo, Black Coffee, and DJ Fresh. Eazzy Mezzo revealed that he faced a significant lack of support from those around him, particularly in the early stages, as they were skeptical about his potential to achieve his current level of success. Nevertheless, he acknowledged that his elder sister, Yonela Hobe, has been the only individual with some understanding of the music industry who has supported him from the outset.
“Music is intricate, or more accurately, the individuals who operate within the music industry render it complex for reasons known only to them,” stated Eazy Mezzo.
“The individuals we encounter in the industry create significant obstacles for emerging artists like myself,” he continued. In South Africa, and perhaps this is a universal experience, I have come to understand that success in this industry often hinges on personal connections,” Eazy Mezzo remarked.
In spite of these challenges, Eazy Mezzo has successfully released numerous singles and EPs. His debut EP was launched in 2020 under the German record label, Electric Friends Music.
He has collaborated with various record labels, including Do You Be You Records, based in Johannesburg, South Africa, under which he has successfully released three EPs.
Regarding the future, Eazy Mezzo mentioned that he is presently working on an album. As an artist, he also aspires to perform internationally and establish his record label, which will focus on Afro House, to introduce this genre, which has been around the world for decades, to the new generation.
In conclusion, Eazy Mezzo advised any student who wishes to pursue a music career that “anything is possible.” He further encouraged that “your background does not dictate your future,” emphasizing that one can engage in music regardless of formal education in the field.
Note: This article was initially published in 2022 by Affirmations Media and authored by Mthunzi Sitampu.