Mpaphi is a musician, songwriter, music producer and founder of Taios Productions, 2003. Qualifying as an Architect from RMIT while playing bass, keyboards and guitar part time in a South African township jazz band, Thula Sana lead by Joe Malatji. He developed his musical craft in sound production and together Suzanne and Mpaphi have developed the Mzuri and TaiOs sound.
Born and raised in Kalanga region of Botswana, Mpaphi learnt both a traditional way of life as well as moving back to city life for schooling. In the holidays he lived with his grandmother in the village and learnt traditional ways of life including the song and folklore of the Kalanga culture. Mpaphi today re- creates his cultural heritage developing his traditional music on the 4 – stringed ‘Afri – can’ guitar made out of an oil can. Mpaphi works closely with the African pop music scene developing beats for radio and for dancing, forming the identity DJ TaiOs.
City of Whitehorse invited Mzuri to work in partnership towards the Games in 2006. Mzuri in turn approached Taios Productions to work towards the music soundtrack for the Opening ceremonies for the Commonwealth Games in 2006 for the City of Whitehorse. Taios and Mzuri commenced recording in the village of Sebina in Botswana in 2005. This was the beginnings of Taios and Mzuri. They appeared on television twice earlier this year on Summer in the City with Livinia Nixon and the Channel 9 Today Show and many more performances including Fitzroy Gardens, Moomba Waterfront city, Queensbridge Square, Hamer Hall, Southbank and many more.
