Revolution (duo) - Biography, Real Names and Career Achievements
Revolution is a house band from Johannesburg, South Africa, made up of twin brothers George and Joseph Mothiba. They gained recognition with their third album, "The Journey," released in 2002, which featured the hit single "Vhavenda." This album earned the title of Best Selling Release at the 2003 South African Music Awards. Since then, Revolution has released an additional twelve albums, averaging nearly one album per year, and they have enjoyed a measure of commercial and critical success throughout their career.
Early Life
George and Joseph Mothiba were born in Alexandra township, Johannesburg, South Africa. They have two older sisters and describe their family, which has roots in Limpopo, as "simple."
The brothers began exploring music at the age of 17, initially experimenting with computers, playing around with sounds, and pursuing DJing as a hobby. They would borrow their uncle's radio cassettes while washing his car and play them at friends' parties. At one of these parties, they met Big Oscar, better known as Oskido, a more established DJ. They approached him for advice on DJing, as he could mix with vinyl records instead of tapes, and they visited him casually for a year and a half afterward.
While searching for vinyl to mix, they encountered DJ Christos, who owned one of the few record shops that sold vinyl. Impressed by their passion for music and seeing them regularly at his shop, he invited them to open for him at his gigs. Having been introduced to the professional music scene in 1999, Revolution released their debut album in 2000.
Career
Their 2002 remix of guitarist Phillip Tabane's song "Vhavenda" began on a shaky note. They had used their mother’s vinyl records to create the remix without Tabane's permission, which led to him initially threatening to sue them. However, he reportedly relented after listening to the track and appreciating it. This bold move paid off, as the song and its accompanying album "The Journey" brought them wider recognition; it reportedly achieved double platinum status within three months of its release and ultimately sold over 400,000 copies. The success also earned them accolades, including the Metro FM award for Best Club DJ and the South African Music Awards (SAMA) award for Best Selling Release.
In September 2003, the brothers released "The Journey Continues," their fourth album following "The Journey," "Revolution 1," and "Revolution 2." Featuring popular tracks like "Zim Connection," a collaboration with Zimbabwean jazz musician Andy Brown, this album also went double platinum, selling over 100,000 copies by February 2004. It garnered further acclaim, including another Metro FM award for Best Club DJ in 2004 and another SAMA for Best Dance Album that same year.
Their fifth album, "Another Level," released in 2004, saw the DJs collaborating with notable jazz musicians McCoy Mrubata, Pops Mohammed, and Jimmy Dludlu to blend house music with jazz, making the genre more accessible to younger fans. The album was another commercial success, achieving triple-platinum status in units sold. It also earned Revolution four nominations for the 2005 SAMAs: Best Dance Album, Artist of the Year, Song of the Year (for "The Anthem"), and Best Group or Duo, winning the last category.
For their 2005 album "Roots," the duo collaborated with actress and singer Maduvha, known for her role in "Muvhango." They signed her to their record label, Four Sounds Productions, and she contributed the song "Light of My Life." This track was nominated for Best Popular Song of the Year at the 2006 South African Music Awards (SAMAs), while Revolution received a second consecutive nomination for Best Duo or Group, though neither won.
Revolution's 2006 album "4 u" featured "Feel the Music," a collaboration with former Boom Shaka member Theo Nhlengethwa, who also joined their label and released the album "Ngiyabonga," written and produced by the Mothiba brothers, in 2007. Later that year, Revolution received another SAMA nomination for Best Urban Dance Album, while their protégé Maduvha's self-titled album, also produced by them, was nominated for Best Female Artist, although both lost.
Their ninth album, "The Book of Revolution," was released in 2008, following "Fusion," which came out the previous year. This album featured eclectic collaborations with artists such as Antonio Lyons and Don Laka. Critic Miles Keylock described it as a "proudly Pan African fruit cocktail of stunning soul vocals, kwaai jazz grooves, glorious gospel anthems, fly slam poetic raps, and authentic maskandi filters" in a positive review.
In 2009, Revolution celebrated a decade of musical activity with the release of "Revolution 10," a double disc featuring new songs like "Without You" featuring Daddy on one side, and a compilation of their previous hits on the other. The album included the song "Iggys House" (with Antonio Lyons) and was dedicated to their late friend Iggy Smallz, a fellow DJ.
Their eleventh album, "Tribal Journey," was released in 2010 and featured vocals from notable artists such as former Joyous Celebration gospel singer Thabo Mdluli and Senegalese singer Moh Dediouf. The album was described as "an uplifting tribute to the rich and complex web of musical expression which binds all Africans across the globe."
Continuing with the theme of "experimental tribal house," the duo's next album, "Meropa," was released in 2011. It featured the popular single "Teka Munike," a Portuguese language song with Rubygold, and included producing credits from jazz great Themba Mkhize to a car mechanic named Randy. The album was well-received by critics.
In 2012, they released "Evolution," their twelfth album in as many years, which featured rising stars like Donald and Moneoa. This album reintroduced them to award recognition, earning them two nominations at the 2013 Metro FM awards for Best Dance Album and Best Group Album, although neither resulted in a win.
The following year, the brothers released "Evolution Deluxe," explaining that "the idea behind this album is to take you around the world from Lana Del Rey to Nigeria." The album included a tribal remix of Del Rey's "Young and Beautiful" and the song "Jola," featuring Senegalese singer Ndeye, sung in the rarely spoken Jola language. Their collaboration "Noqatiko," produced with fellow house producers Black Motion and singer Yasira, was nominated for Best Collaboration at the 2014 Metro FM awards.
In 2015, Revolution celebrated their 15th album with the release of "Moribo," named after the Northern Sotho word for rhythm. This album showcased a diverse range of musicians, including the late Andy Brown and Kelly Petlane, as well as newer artists like Msaki, who appeared on the single "Springtide." Critics described "Moribo" as "a soulful, remarkable, and eclectic album" with a "strong African touch," and the group claimed it was crafted to "cater for all markets and age groups."
Personal Lives
As identical twins, the Mothiba brothers claim to be "alike in every way" and share similar interests, including technology and music. Neither of them smokes or drinks. They regard each other as best friends and have lived together since November 2009.
In contrast to many in the South African music scene, they maintain a low profile. Joseph remarked that "being all over the place, trying to impress people does more harm than good." They credit entertainment figures such as Ghetto Ruff founder Lance Stehr and Selimathunzi producer Baby Joe for instilling in them the understanding that the industry is "not about the glitz and the glamour" but rather about culture and, specifically, South African music.
Albums
2000 - Revolution 1
2001 - Revolution 2
2022 - The Journey
2003 - The Journey Continues
2004 - Another Level
2005 - Roots
2006 - 4 U
2007 - Fusion
2008 - The Book of Revolution
2009 - Revolution 10
2010 - Tribal Journey
2011 - Meropa
2012 - Evolution
2013 - Evolution Delux
2014 - Day of Protest
2015 - Moribo
2017 - Moshito
2018 - Soul Wounds
2019 - The Furnace
2020 - Myil
2021 - Pembroke
2022 - X
2023 - Head Space
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