Tefo Mahola

About me

Cape Town, South Africa

I am a drummer, percussionist, pianist, singer and composer from Gugulethu, Cape Town. My music is a true translation of my character and nature, with each song being an extension to a specific trait. My music incorporates jazz with elements of groove, funk, jazz rock and Neo-Soul to create compositions of a truly original and compelling sound. I love venturing in the direction of storytelling in the music.

Cultural background

  • South Africa

Values

  • Growth
  • Honesty
  • Humor
  • Love
  • Authenticity
  • Happiness
  • Listening
  • Peace
  • Reliability
  • Respect
  • Adventure
  • Community
  • Creativity
  • Curiosity
  • Kindness
  • Learning
  • Spirituality
  • Wisdom

Project Music

One Need

Myself and Deelee initially reworked a demo she had created and then adapted the vocals and lyrics. The journey of the song moved from conveying the plight and issues in the world to always moving those moments to a space of light, reflection, and hope. We wanted to create an intimate musical journey that reflected the nuanced movement of the vocals & lyrics. Then Tefo came on board - his approach to percussion and vocals was so complimentary, thus a perfect fit for the style and intention of the music and lyrics underpinning the theme UBUNTU.

  • Fusion
  • Jazz
  • Singer
  • Vocal percussion
  • Piano
  • Bass guitar
  • Conga
  • Cymbals
  • Djembe
  • Drum set
  • Rainstick
  • Snare drum
  • South Africa
  • United Kingdom
Shamanic Zikr (Prayer)

A composition associated with natural disasters and cataclysms occurring on Earth. This is the cry of the shaman's soul. There is a moment in life when Man has the potential to recognize his truest personal power. A divine power, not material. The power to create instead of destroy. It's an almost unconscious decision, but it determines the course of a Life.. or many Lives. We can pray to the Universe, to the other Gods and to the Oceans, but the most powerful prayer is the one that manifests itself from us to us. Thank you Andreia and Tefo!

  • African
  • Asian
  • Instrumental
  • Ritual
  • Traditional / Folk
  • World
  • Qyl-Qobyz / Qobyz
  • Kazakhstan
  • Portugal
  • South Africa
SALAM

As conflicts,inequality and discrimination rise, music unites us. It amplifies unheard voices, champions justice, and drives change. Embracing and celebrating diversity and welcoming the synergy that rises, this multilingual song brings us together for a mutual goal: "Salam"/peace. Hussain started the song with the phrase "Salam-u Alaykum"/Peace be upon you, a melody, and two riffs. Tefo added another dimension while Lalou introduced a unique vocal tone, and Collekta and Icyn_k unified these challenging diverse elements into a harmonious piece.

  • African
  • Arabic
  • Electronic
  • Funk
  • Fusion
  • Hip Hop / Rap
  • Improvisational
  • New Age
  • Oriental
  • R&B / Soul
  • Religious / Spiritual
  • Ritual
  • Rock
  • Traditional / Folk
  • Vocal
  • World
  • A capella
  • Background vocals
  • Baritone
  • Bass
  • Chanting
  • Mezzo-soprano
  • Rapping
  • Singer
  • Singer-songwriter
  • Tenor
  • Treble
  • Vocal ensemble
  • Whistling / Humming
  • Yodeling
  • Synthesizer
  • Bouzouki
  • Bongo drum
  • Denmark
  • Ghana
  • Nigeria
  • South Africa
  • Syrian Arab Republic
Go Alone

Go Alone is a lamentation turned mantra. Despite so many of the narratives within modern living, we are not individual units navigating life. It can be hard to remember sometimes just how dependent we need to be on each other to build the world we all want and care for all the lives within it. Go Alone captures the tipping point of self-oriented despair giving birth to realisation. Though we are constantly adrift and often in discomfort, with the vulnerability to reach out to another that evergreen truth emerges: we are never truly on our own.

  • Fusion
  • Jazz
  • Jazz-Pop
  • Pop
  • Background vocals
  • Singer
  • Electric piano
  • Piano
  • Synthesizer
  • Bass guitar
  • Electric guitar
  • Drum set
  • Alto saxophone
  • Soprano saxophone
  • Australia
  • Hungary
  • Russian Federation
  • South Africa
  • Tanzania
Habiba

'Habiba' honors my grandmother, a source of deep inspiration. Despite few meetings, her story left a lasting impression. She exemplified kindness and empowerment, working as a midwife, farmer, market vendor and basket weaver, caring not only for her own children but also for struggling children in the village. Her resilience fuels my drive for empowerment and social change. She remains a timeless inspiration, guiding my journey with strength and compassion.

  • African
  • Jazz
  • World
  • Bass
  • Singer
  • Electric piano
  • Drum set
  • Percussion
  • Belgium
  • Ethiopia
  • Germany
  • Ghana
  • Italy
  • South Africa
  • Switzerland
Say No More

Trying to build the peaceful and connected world we all want can be deeply isolating. The suffering of our collective failures leads to much bitterness which gives voice to angry, divisive ideas. ‘Say No More’ is a lamentation, but also a determined commitment - we have the knowledge and skills we need to end the worst of suffering and celebrate the best in each other. Let’s not be distracted by the whisperings of others and get to work building the world we deserve to share.

  • Funk
  • Jazz
  • Jazz-Pop
  • Pop
  • Background vocals
  • Singer
  • Synthesizer
  • Bass guitar
  • Bongo drum
  • Chimes
  • Clapped hands
  • Cowbell
  • Drum set
  • Percussion
  • Alto saxophone
  • Trombone
  • Australia
  • Hungary
  • Russian Federation
  • South Africa
  • Tanzania
  • United States of America
Life is Everywhere

Simply put, this song is a call to get out of our heads and celebrate the vibrancy of life. The music propels this message with an Afro-Caribbean rhythm, spiritual jazz melodies, and a Mauritian sega outro. Many of us desperately want to help our planet, but the social change required to do so cannot be achieved without a deep understanding of the interconnectedness of everyone and everything. The song’s lyrics describe a person trapped in negative, selfish thought patterns, who comes to realize that they are not the centre of the universe.

  • Funk
  • Psychedelia
  • R&B / Soul
  • Reggae / Carribean
  • World
  • Singer
  • Electric organ
  • Piano
  • Bass guitar
  • Dan bau
  • Electric guitar
  • Drum set
  • Alto saxophone
  • Baritone saxophone
  • Flute
  • Canada
  • Hungary
  • Russian Federation
  • South Africa
  • Tanzania
  • United States of America
Wororo [Soft]
Play
  • Award Winner
  • Album Track

An afrobeat psych jazz monster of a song describing the modern obsession with material wealth and living the easy life. With lyrics in four languages (Swahili, English, Hungarian and Xhosa), 'Wororo' challenges us all to try and appreciate what we already have and to see past superficial desires.

  • African
  • Funk
  • Fusion
  • Jazz
  • Jazz-Rock
  • Psychedelia
  • Background vocals
  • Singer
  • Soprano
  • Vocal ensemble
  • Synthesizer
  • Bass guitar
  • Electric guitar
  • Lute
  • Drum set
  • Rattle
  • Shekere
  • Alto horn
  • Canada
  • Hungary
  • Kenya
  • South Africa
  • Tanzania

No submissions for Beyond Music Project Volume 2.

No submissions for Beyond Music Project Volume 1.