gang of instrumentals

Gang of Instrumentals is a critically-acclaimed South African urban-pop group, founded in 2002. This Johannesburg based group consists of Tumi ‘Lady Naturelle’ Masemola, Mandla N- Pimville spokesman, and ‘Bongo’ Riot Zungu.

Their innovative musical style is a mixture of hip hop, street rap, pop, soul, R&B, ragga, reggae and rock, with elements of kwaito and house.

This fusion of different sounds has landed them the coveted Best Urban album at the South African Music awards 2009 and high profile performances such as the Presidential Inauguration, Cape Town Jazz Festival, Africa Day, Miss World, Indian Cricket League and numerous others premiere events.

This trio is one of the most successful independent groups in South Africa, having received 2 SAFTA Golden Horns for best soundtrack in a TV comedy 2006&7, 2 Channel O nominations for best group and best video 2005, a SAMA nomination for record of the year 2008 and band of the Year at the Kora awards 2008 .

The band members also write, produce and act in City Ses’la, which is the 2nd largest local show on TV (after Generations). With an average AR rating of 16.9, City Ses’la is in its 3rd season and picked up 7 out of the 8 awards they were nominated for at the SA Film and Television awards in 2009, making it by far the most successful comedy show in South Africa.

Without the backing of a major record label, GI independently released their debut album Kassi Flava in August 2004. The album won the group critical acclaim and the album's lead single Cry 4 me, became a smash hit reaching number two on the South African national commercial radio pop charts and the listener’s choice charts.

Cry 4 me caught the attention of the Dance 4 life international Aids campaign organizers, who used the Cry 4 me dance remix as the theme song to promote the Dance 4 life music concert in Cape Town at which GI was the headline act.

The single went on to receive a Channel O nomination for best music video, and the gang has since been approached by the Ministry of Sound and Dj Tiesto for the global release of the track.

November 2006 saw the release of their second album, Salute, with three number one singles the album was a critical and commercial triumph.

The first single, My number one, peaked at #1 on all South African pop charts. The song received even more exposure in 2008 when it was featured in the MTN world cup compilation, and received a SAMA (South African Music Award) nomination for record of the year.

The album subsequently spawned Shake it, which topped the charts, and was licensed by the French car manufacturer Renault, who used the song to market and promote their Renault Shake it! Megane vehicle. Other hits such as Salute and Sunshine tore up the airwaves as well.

With each member contributing to writing on all tracks on their albums, as well as executive producing, GI have maintained an experimental approach in their music and are widely praised for their originality and artistic content.

GI’s third offering, Round 3, was released in mid October 2008.The gang’s fresh and energetic sound has carried Them beyond the borders of South Africa, to the U.S where they were invited to Nashville to showcase their African flair alongside acts such as Hard-Fi and Black Rebel Motorcycle.

Round 3 is a fiery, passionate, and  more daring production by the Gang of Instrumentals. “GI is a reflection of the new, global and progressive Africa”, adds Mandla N.

Gang of Instrumentals next album Super Star will be released in September 2011. The album has a high-energy explosive sound that Gang of Instrumentals is synonymous for.  The first single that is going to radio is called Superstar. Watch out for more smash hits off the next album that will be hitting your airwaves and stereos soon. The 2nd single called Fly Away goes to radio mid July.