My special guest this week on the Business of Entertainment on Cape Talk is Paris Toon, the Billboard charting award-winning lyricist and musical enigma behind Mother's Favorite Child.

(Paris was also a keynote speaker at Music Exchange #MEX24 in November 2024 )

He is an extraordinary business entrepreneur, songwriter and producer who never seems to stray for a moment from his forward driven vision of success in the music world and beyond.

Paris started out as a hip-hop producer and has done production and remix work for many platinum selling projects during his career.

His influences range from Prince, Quincy Jones, Sly Stone, Rakim, Omar, Bob Marley, Herbie Hancock and the Head Hunters.

These influences make themselves evident in his compositions and many of the lyrics he writes. As newer artists came about, Paris’s inspiration grew in even broader directions while still holding firmly to the musical pioneers from the past.

His writing style has the genres of R&B/Soul, Funk, Jazz, Dance, Hip Hop and Rock to a level unfamiliar to most, provoking intense curiosity and appreciation for the “next phase of music”.

With these inspirational forces embedded in his spirit, Paris Toon has set out on the mission to push Mothers Favorite Child to the front lines.

Paris is the binding force of Mother's Favorite Child. His Passion and “full speed ahead” attitude make it possible for those who work with him to focus on the most important thing; the song. Whether it’s music, art, fashion or business, Mothers Favorite Child is armed with everything it needs to propel honesty, raw and a holistic environment to to the masses.

Nick Matzukis is a highly respected educator in the South African music industry and as an Advocate of the High Court, specialises in institutional, legal, business and educational aspects relating to the music industry.

His clients and referrers are drawn from attorneys, major royalty collection societies, publishers, labels, recording artists, industry associations, aggregators, music retailers and the Department of Trade and Industry itself (CIPC’s) Copyright Department.

Nick is a published author, academic, lecturer, Advocate of the High Court and music and education industry expert.

He has written many articles and four textbooks, the latest being the highly-acclaimed “Music Law, Contracts and Business - the smart

musician’s guide to how the South African Music industry works, how to negotiate the best possible contracts, and how to make money from music in South Africa and overseas.”

Nick knows the institutional, legal and business aspects of the music industry intimately, and also brings with him an educator’s and musician’s perspective.

He has been in education and training since the start of his career in 1983.

Mozambican jazz-saxophonist, composer, producer, academic and philanthropist, Moreira Chonguiça feted as one of the finest exponents of innovative and original jazz from Africa.

As an independent artist with seven award-winning, globally informed and celebrated albums – he is blazing a trail from his east-African roots to the world.

Exposed to and inspired by the likes of Miles Davis, Fela Kuti, Percy Sledge and Manu Dibango, Moreira’s energetic contemporary rhythmic compositions have garnered applauses across all six continents.

His unique sound, technical agility and ingenuity on the alto and soprano saxophone, coupled with passionate stage performance captivates audiences universally.

Mozambican jazz-saxophonist, composer, producer, academic and philanthropist, Moreira Chonguiça feted as one of the finest exponents of innovative and original jazz from Africa.

As an independent artist with seven award-winning, globally informed and celebrated albums – he is blazing a trail from his east-African roots to the world.

Exposed to and inspired by the likes of Miles Davis, Fela Kuti, Percy Sledge and Manu Dibango, Moreira’s energetic contemporary rhythmic compositions have garnered applauses across all six continents.

His unique sound, technical agility and ingenuity on the alto and soprano saxophone, coupled with passionate stage performance captivates audiences universally.

Sheldon Rocha Leal holds a BA in Law and Psychology from UNISA, a BMus Honours and MMus (Cum Laude) from the University of Pretoria and a PhD in Music Business and Education from the University of the Free State.

Besides for being in music education for the past 19 years he is also a performer and songwriter, having written songs for multiple artists including the SAMA award winning songstress Lira and artists RJ Benjamin, Yves, Danny K and Karen from Idols.

His music has had extensive playlisting on various radio stations nationally.

Some of his students have gone on to lead very successful music careers, people like Anatii, Shane Eagle, Vusi Nova and members of bands like Monark, Prime Circle, Tweak, Pascal and Pearce and Rubber Duc.

He has been instrumental in guiding and mentoring the careers of many young artists and music business leaders, assisting in recording company contract negotiations.

Sheldon Rocha Leal is currently the Director of Culture and Music at Southdowns College, a private school in Centurion.

He was previously the national head of sound engineering and music at Damelin and head of contemporary music at the National School of the Arts. He was instrumental in the writing of the national curriculum for music for GET, FET and HE at SAQA.

Sheldon has judged various music competitions, eisteddfods and festivals, including the writing of the National Eisteddfod curriculum for contemporary music and judging the St Andrew’s VIEBZ Competition, the STEPP Competition, Springs Eisteddfod, Kempton Park Music Festival, Radio Pulpit Gospel Competition and Randfontein Music Festival.

He has appeared on various television shows including being a musical mentor and vocal coach on The Voice Angola and a Top 5 finalist on the SABC 3 television reality contest Crux Gospel Star.

He has also served as a music commentator on SAFM, 702, Metro, Midrand and Eden FM.

Additionally, he has hosted and MC’d various shows including being the face of Givenchy, Black Flys and on a show in which he introduced the topic of how South African Music has Transformed international music trends for the United Nations.

Sheldon Rocha Leal is currently the Director of Culture and Music at Southdowns College, a private school in Centurion. He holds a BA in Law and Psychology from UNISA, a BMus Honours and MMus (Cum Laude) from the University of Pretoria and a PhD in Music Business and Education from the University of the Free State.

He was previously the national head of sound engineering and music at Damelin and head of contemporary music at the National School of the Arts. He was instrumental in the writing of the national curriculum for music for GET, FET and HE at SAQA.

Besides for being in music education for the past 19 years he is also a performer and songwriter, having written songs for multiple artists including the SAMA award winning songstress Lira and artists RJ Benjamin, Yves, Danny K and Karen from Idols. His music has had extensive playlisting on various radio stations nationally.

Some of his students have gone on to lead very successful music careers, people like Anatii, Shane Eagle, Vusi Nova and members of bands like Monark, Prime Circle, Tweak, Pascal and Pearce and Rubber Duc.

Part 2 with Neil Johnson who is a radio content programmer.

He has worked at Primedia, the SABC, Kagiso Media and recently for Kaya FM and AME.

Neil Johnson has a stellar radio career. Prepare to be inspired!

Select highlights below :

Radio programmer

Chief Content Officer – Kaya FM 95.9

Programme Manager – Jacaranda 94.2 FM

Programme Manager – Kaya FM 95.9

Course Development and Radio Training for the IAJ (Institute for the Advancement of Journalism)

Station Manager – P4 104.9 FM, Cape Town (Now Heart FM)

Award-winning singer, songwriter and musician Steve Louw is recognised as one of the South African music industry’s most respected and accomplished talents. He has received critical acclaim in his native South Africa with his bands All Night Radio and Big Sky since his debut release in 1984.

 Louw has co-written songs with Dave Stewart and Brian May for the inaugural 46664 concert, a global campaign to bring awareness to the AIDS epidemic, along with long-time producer Kevin Shirley (The Black Crowes, John Hiatt, Led Zeppelin and Aerosmith).

 He has A-list collaborations with members of The Pretenders, The Heartbreakers and Keith Richards’ X Pensive Winos, and on his latest 2024 double album release, ⁠Between Time⁠, with US guitar legend Joe Bonamassa and Midnight Oil’s Jim Moginie. Kevin Shirley produced again, and the legendary Bob Ludwig mastered yet another seminal record.

He has performed with Rodriguez, as documented in the Oscar-winning documentary Searching for Sugarman, Johnny Clegg, Dave Stewart, Beyoncé and Youssou N’Dour.

A member of the South African Songwriters’ Hall of Fame and a South African Music Award winner, Steve Louw has an ongoing career spanning four decades.

We chatted to him in this two part conversation covering his impressive music journey to here.

This is that second, critical, half. Please enjoy.

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