(PRODUCER / DJ / MASTERING ENGINEER)

T-man aka Thabo Konopi exudes the quiet confidence of a man who is good at what he does. This is not just the energetic buzz of the young and talented but more of a man, who over the years has honed and toned his creative talent as a producer, DJ and mastering engineer.

He proudly holds certification which is accredited and approved by the SA-APRS (South African Association of Professional Recording Services). He is also one of few audio engineers who were recently granted a 2004 learnership for an extensive course in Audio Technology at The Performing Arts Campus (GSF Education) in Johannesburg. This outcome based programme was provided by CREATE SA (Creative Research Education And Training Enterprise South Africa) regulated by MAPPP-SETA (Media, Advertising, Publishing, Printing and Packaging Sector Education and Training Authority) which is funded by the Department of Labour's National Skills Fund.

He also holds executive membership of a forum called SPACE (Smart Partnerships in Arts and Creative Enterprise) which is dedicated to creating a platform for accessing skills, technologies and training for arts and culture industry practitioners, and building capacity through creating partnerships with government, organizations and individuals supportive of creative industries.

With no limitations, Thabo is director / founder of 12 Inch Productions, an independent record label (devoted to dance music) and prominent production company with studio facilities. The company specializes in music productions, studio recordings, mastering, digital audio editing, publishing, events production / logistics, artist development, DJ services, audio post-production and multimedia sound concepts for radio and film. Since its inception the company has made significant inroads in these highly competitive sectors. Its client base varies from private individuals to established corporates, with product range that appeals to the urban youth and young adult markets.

Being from Meadowlands Soweto, his influences have been inspired by forces of nature which surround us everyday. His constantly positive reviews by internationally acclaimed pioneers of dance music like Glen Lewis (Metro FM), Vinnie Da Vinci (House Afrika Records) and DJ Mbuso (Soul Candi Records) make him one of the rare breed of producers / DJs capable of providing rare grooves and cosmopolitan type of music. His diverse musical knowledge culminates in a unique blend of music that is reflected through his music productions and floor filling sets when he spins his 12 inches.

Some of his recent projects include the SABC 1 compilation "Sghubhu Samampela Vol 2" where he written and produced two original dance floor hits performed by Letang Tlome (of the Coca Cola Popstars fame) and Faith (from the acclaimed Joyous Celebration). It features SA's supreme female talents such as TK, Lebo and the legendary Brenda Fassie, and has enjoyed a club tour and widespread media coverage.
His skills as a mastering engineer were placed in excellent use in Glen Lewis' recent compilation project "Another Mid Tempo" which is utterly impressive.

He went on to produce for a house compilation "Supa House Vol 1" , which comprises of some of the country's celebrated house producers like B.O.P. (Kalawa / DCC Records) and DJ Cleo (Will of Steel Productions) just to name a few.

In one of his more intriguing experiments has dared to merge cutting-edge jazz instrumentation with intricately layered tribal house rhythms to traditional afro pop classics of legends like Mariam Makeba's "Amampondo" and Margaret Singana's "Hamba Bhekile" performed by Desert Chyld. He shrewdly guessed that "because the two musical forms have common roots in African culture therefore might be able to speak a common musical language".

His attitude to life, maturity and African pride, influence his input in the music that he creates in his head and produces in his studio. "My commitment has always been to assist our African creative talent, artistic energy and musical heritage with quality technological and technical expertise, and I would love to see African culture and history live not only in print and film but also in music" he expressed. You will undoubtedly hear and read more about this man in the not so distant future.

The response at his live performances has been exciting and a source of his inspiration. His sets offer soulful house music with a combination of ethnic influences inspired by a deep and cheerful mood that will make your world come together flawlessly…