The Musical Odyssey of John Lundun : A Journey Through Sound and Passion

Reshoketjwe Marakalala, known to the world as John Lundun, hails from Polokwane, Limpopo, the northernmost province of South Africa. His musical journey began at a tender age, sparked by his father’s early piano and guitar lessons. These formative experiences laid the groundwork for what would become a remarkable career in music.

In 2009, Lundun earned a certificate in Contemporary Music from Damelin College, and a year later, he enrolled at Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) to pursue a Diploma in Jazz and Popular Music. This academic foundation in music theory and practice significantly shaped his artistic development.

Rising Through the Ranks

After completing his studies, Lundun swiftly made a name for himself as a talented producer, composer, and mixing engineer. His expertise has been sought after by some of South Africa’s most celebrated artists, including Kwesta, Samthing Soweto, Azana, Mthunzi, Major League DJs, Una Rams, Hanna, Chymamusique, NaakMusiq, Thando Zide, and Thabsie, among others.

Lundun’s production prowess was notably recognized with his work on Berita’s award-winning album, “Songs in the Key of Love”. This album clinched the Best Album award in the South African Music Awards (SAMAs) “Rest of Africa” category, triumphing over esteemed nominees such as Wizkid and Davido.

Notable Collaborations and Accolades

One of Lundun’s most significant collaborations has been with the four-time Grammy-nominated producer QuietMoneyMusic. This partnership highlights Lundun’s ability to work at an international level, blending diverse musical influences to create universally appealing sounds.

His contributions to the music industry have not gone unnoticed in his home province. Lundun is a four-time nominee for the Limpopo Music Awards, underscoring his impact and recognition within the local music scene.

Beyond Music Production: Film Scoring and Sync Licensing

Lundun’s talents extend beyond traditional music production into the realms of sync licensing and film scoring. He has built an impressive sync library, comprising hundreds of songs spanning various genres, ready to be featured on TV screens. His work in this field showcases his versatility and dedication to exploring the endless possibilities within his craft.

Discography

Lundun boasts a diverse musical catalog, with his signature production style remaining distinct across the different genres he engages with. Here are some of his most memorable works to date:

Film Scoring

In addition to his music production, Lundun has made significant contributions to film scoring. His ability to craft evocative soundscapes for visual media has made him a sought-after composer in the industry.

Q&A

Question : Your work spans various genres. How do you maintain your signature style across such a diverse range of music?

Answer : Before you split music into genres, music is firstly feeling, emotion and organized frequencies and rhythms. So early into my live I was exposed to many different types of music and later went on to obtain my Diploma in Jazz & Popular music. So my understanding of different genres and what constructs them helps me move across genres easily.

Question : Who are your “Big 3” rappers in South Africa?

Answer : Kwesta, Touchline, Maglera Doe Boy

Question : Beyond music production, you’ve ventured into film scoring and sync licensing. What drew you to these areas?

Answer :In my early days sitting behind the preacher playing keyboards and seeing what certain melodies and chords do with the human emotion and helping the preacher intensify or mellow down moment during his preaching was the start of me learning how to sync music to visuals. It has been a growing interest, the more even now as I am a family man, I can work remotely and make a better money with TV music.

Question : What can fans expect from you in the near future?

Answer : I have been working on a ZCC music re-imagined project which should drop early 2025. 2 Lofi Ep towards the end of this year. And look out for my name on the credits at the end of your favorite TV shows

Question : Top 5 Producers in South Africa?

Answer : Themba Mkhize, Lawrence Matshiza, Dj Cleo, Kabza De Small, Sun El Musician are my 5 all time.

Question : Any final words for your fans and readers of our magazine?

Answer : Live today, believe in something, do what you are good at and improve at what you are not good at, be on what you think is the good side of history.

John Lundun, is a testament to the power of passion and dedication in the music industry. From his early beginnings in Polokwane to his notable collaborations and accolades, Lundun continues to push the boundaries of his craft. Whether through producing award-winning albums, collaborating with top artists, or scoring films, his journey is a continuous exploration of the limitless possibilities that music offers.