IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU STAY TRUE TO YOURSELF.

The Certified Dyans, a musical trio hailing from the Eastern Cape, consisting of Khona Daki (20), Lulwando Tose (21), and Azania Mfinyongo (21), came together in 2015 with a profound belief in the power of "different ideas" to yield exceptional outcomes in any situation

Collaboration lies at the heart of the Certified Dyans' philosophy, as it cultivates a sense of belonging and equilibrium by allowing individuals to channel their energy towards a collective purpose beyond themselves. Khona, one of the members, asserts that the band thrives when everyone contributes, relying on each other to achieve their professional goals

Certified Dyans: The Eastern Cape Musical Trio Embracing Collaboration, Chasing Success, and Breaking Boundaries

Lionel Ringani

Refusing to let his background dictate his future, Khona holds unwavering faith in the group and envisions the Certified Dyans as the catalyst for a reimagined legacy akin to the legendary Brenda Fassie

"As a singer, Brenda Fassie's triumph inspires me because my family and I also come from a township in Cape Town. It serves as proof that anyone, regardless of their origin, can attain international recognition through hard work and talent," Khona affirms.

Azania takes us back to a time before the Certified Dyans even existed, tracing their roots to when the three musicians were still in school Even then, their unique sound captivated their peers

"As children, we would often invent songs and perform them for each other. It was a collective effort that included contributions from fellow students and even bus drivers," recalls Azania. Encountering widespread praise and encouragement for their musical abilities, the Certified Dyans began to take their craft seriously, and their careers gained momentum from that point onward.

Their impressive discography stands as a testament to their success, bolstered by collaborations with some of Africa's most renowned musicians. Lulwando shares that their recent collaborators include Mr. Brown, Baby Boy AV from Nigeria, and Soulful G, the mastermind behind the hit track "Asiyeke."

The Certified Dyans have upheld a steadfast work ethic, earning the respect of established musicians who were eager to contribute as guests on their forthcoming EP. "We have an EP coming soon, " Lulwando announces "We received tremendous support from artists like Soulful G, Mr. Brown, Sbuda, and Baby Boy Av, which got us even more excited." Expressing their aspirations for the future, the Certified Dyans express a desire to collaborate with Ololade Asake, an Afrobeats enthusiast who greatly admires their work on the Amapiano album. "The success of these two genres lies in their ability to attract listeners from diverse cultural and musical backgrounds. This, in turn, can help combat xenophobia, which is one of the most urgent issues of our time," concludes Lulwando.