Tendaness - Early Life, Career Achievements and Discography

Tatenda Mandaza, known professionally as Tendaness, is a record producer, DJ, and songwriter from Swaziland. He gained recognition as one of the most promising new producers in the region and has made a mark by remixing tracks from international stars like Drake and Ed Sheeran.

In 2016, Tendaness released his debut album, "Grande," which features collaborations with some of Africa’s biggest stars. The album received positive reviews from both fans and critics, with MTV Base describing it as "One of a Kind." Tendaness has earned significant accolades in his career, including two national "DJ of the Year" awards in Eswatini for the years 2010–2011 and 2011/2012. Additionally, he won first place in the Sprite DJ Champion competition in 2011.

Early Life and Education

Tendaness, born Tatenda Mandaza on September 10, 1992, in Mbabane, the capital of Eswatini, has a rich multicultural background with a Swati mother and a Zimbabwean father. He began his music career in 2007–2008 in his bedroom, encouraged by a high school classmate. In 2008, a friend taught him how to use turntables, leading to his adoption of the stage name ‘Tendaness.’

By 2011, he had mastered music creation and launched his own record label, Tendamix Records. In August 2012, Tendaness moved to the United States to study at the University of Oklahoma in Norman, where he pursued a degree in advertising with a minor in film and media studies while continuing his music career.

Career Beginnings and Achievements

Tendaness released his debut EP, "Play," on August 23, 2012, through the UK-based indie label Crossborder Records. His single "Overload," released in 2013, featured former Cashtime member Smashis (now Zingah) and rapper Kid Nice. This track was part of his role as the Coca-Cola Swaziland Ambassador for the Crazy For Good Campaign and gained significant airplay in Swaziland and South Africa. It was notable for being the first Swazi music video to be aired on major channels like MTV Base and Channel O.

On March 3, 2016, Tendaness released his debut LP, "Grande," which showcased upcoming artists from Swaziland and across Africa. Following this, on March 24, 2017, he released "Jika," featuring Bholoja and LO, as the debut single from his album "Tendanes." "Jika" achieved notable success, reaching number 1 on the Apple Music Top 100 Charts for Swaziland, number 1 on the SBIS 2 Top 100 songs of 2017, number 2 on the Y Urban Top 40 Chart, and number 29 on the #YTop100 songs of 2017 Charts on YFM in South Africa. It also reached number 2 on the DJ Edu DNA Top 5 Chart on BBC Radio 1Xtra and number 4 on the Afro Turn Up Charts on PBS 106.7FM in Melbourne, Australia. The music video for "Jika" was released on June 22, 2018.

Discography

Albums

2019 - Tendaness

Long Play (LPs)

2016 - Grande

Extended Plays

2012 - Fortune

2012 - Play

2012 - Sober Day, Drunk Night

2013 - The Unexpected

Official Remixes

2013 - Emrah Is – Fuck the Robo

2014 - Camp Mulla – Party Don't Stop

2015 - Lo & Adrienne Foo – Ride

2016 - Adrienne Foo – Pressure

Singles

2013 - Overload

2015 - Gold Chain

2015 - Drinking & Driving (DUI)

2015 - Skeem

2016 - Bad Mami Game

2017 - JIKA 

2017 - Love Me

2017 - Call on Me

2017 - Solo

2017 - Tell Me

2018 - Make Up Your Mind

2018 - Mosha

Awards

Won the DJ of the Year in the Swaziland National Arts & Culture Awards, 2010

Won the DJ of the Year in the Swaziland National Arts & Culture Awards, 2011

Best DJ in the Sprite DJ Championship

Best Collaboration in the MTN SWAMA Awards