Mpho (Zulu for “gift”), was born to a mixed race couple in South Africa in 1976 at the height of the struggle against apartheid.  Mixed relationships were illegal and she spent her first birthday in jail when her mother was arrested.  Her dad Sipho "Hotstix" Mabuse, is a giant in South African music.  However, although she grew up listening to her parents music - Donny Hathaway, Fela Kuti, Joni Mitchell and John Coltrane - she was encouraged to explore her own love of electronic music, pop, R&B and rock. In 1980 the family fled to Brixton, where Mpho still resides…

Mpho Skeef has certainly made her mark on the underground circuit and is a real contender to blow up this year.  Her quirky eclecticism – an edgy, offbeat mix of electronica, R&B and hip hop - stands out in a sea of identikit “urban” artists. As a professional singer, Mpho has performed with many artists and has already established a fierce reputation as a live artist in her own right. Over the past few years she has worked with Ms Dynamite, Natasha Beddingfield, Ty, Terri Walker, Skinnyman, Rodney P and Spacek, and as if that wasn’t enough she is also the voice behind the massive Bugz in the Attic track “Booty La La”. 

Mpho has made a huge impact on the UK urban scene over the past year. A regular on Radio Xtra, her unique songwriting and vocal delivery caused New Nation to comment; “Judging by her recent stage shows she’s definitely got the stuff superstars are made of.”  High praise indeed but there are many who agree; 

“One of the most mouthwatering prospects for British urban music this year.”  Music Week

“Equally influenced by Mary J Blige, Kraftwerk and Kate Bush, Skeef’s solo work is cheeringly uncategorisable, unbound by the constraints of the genre, but commercial enough for crossover success.” The Guardian

“Her edgy, offbeat mix of R&B, electronica & Hip Hop is causing quite a stir. An artist you are going to be hearing a lot of in the future.” Time Out

“One of the most eagerly anticipated artists in 2005..brings quirkiness and eclecticism to the music scene.” B&S 

“My music has many different influences and it comes from where I am from which is cross-cultural.  I was born in South Africa and I was brought up with a lot of South African music. At school I was into Prince, Michael Jackson and later bashment and hip hop. I have been to all of these different places musically and they all inform what I do now.” 

Her first single for the Phuture Lounge label is the upfront shuffle of ‘Comin For Ya’, a further example of her unique song writing and vision. The 12” was released toward the end of 2005, with remixes courtesy of Phuturistix and Maddslinky and has recently been nominated for “Track of the Year” at Gilles Peterson’s Worldwide Awards for 2005.  

“Standing out a mile, this soulful gem will certainly turn a few heads. Irresistible melodies and vocals married to the distinctive rhythm and rubber low end make this a real winner.” Keep On 

Look out for future collaboration between label and artist in 2006.