User:Ice Iqwa/sandbox

Isaac Tshabalala, popularly known as Ice Iqwa, is South Africa’s next big music producer who’s determined to take South African music to another level. Ice was born in the town of Hammanskraal Bosplaas in the North of Pretoria in 1989. It is hard to believe that Isaac only started making music at the age of 18, writing and playing around with Fruity Loops in his bedroom. Yeah bed room, that’s where it all started. By 2008 he was already quite a popular beat maker, recording and producing beats for aspiring local artists around his hood.

In 2009, together with Hans Mahlaola, he produced a tribal tune titled Nyaolami (Meaning my leg in English) which went viral in Hammanskraal music scene. Back then Isaac was influenced by the likes of the late Bojo Mujo, Mjava, Hipnosis but now he draws his inspiration from his fellow homeboy, Dr Malinga.

There is a high demand for his golden touch in his hood, with everyone wanting to work him, a privilege only a group by the name of 110 ( One Ten) From One Ten has had. He produced and wrote a few songs them, with one of the songs, titled Lost Comfort, catching the attention of an international music promoter who had an interest in taking single to Paris. Unfortunately Ice was no longer working with the group when these opportunities prevailed. With obstacles like his love life, family pressure and financial difficulties standing in his way, Ice had to give up his dreams and start hustling and found himself working as merchandiser in retail stores. It wasn’t easy all those years for Ice, having given up on his dreams.

In 2012 Isaac Ice Iqwa moved to Johannesburg where he was privileged to obtain a bursary from NEMISA to study TV and Film Production. In 2012 he Emmanuel Olsson one of the prominent producers from Paris and together the co-produced a hit track that Cleo Ice Queen is featured on. It had always been his dream to stay in JHB, because according to him “it is a place where dreams come true”.