Welcome to Downtown Studios

Downtown Studios has a long, rich history in the African music landscape. The Department of Arts and Culture, having met with artists and various stakeholders in the industry realised that access to good quality recording studios is difficult for many South African artists to come by. And so when Gallo decided to stop the recording side of their business and sell the Downtown Studios, the Department of Arts and Culture snapped them up.

"The Downtown Studios are a historical landmark, a heritage site and have an important story to tell about South African music history," says Chola Makgamathe, CEO of the The Downtown Music Hub. 

When the Department purchased the studios, and the Fox Street building, they created the Downtown Music Hub. The purpose of the Hub is to create access and economic opportunities for all the music role players, to develop musicians, establish state-of -the-art recording, manufacturing and distribution facilities and create a competitive advantage for the local music sector in the global market. An inaugural board was appointed, made up of people from highly esteemed members music financial and legal sectors, tasked with managing the Hub.

"South African artists have a problem," says Chola. "First with accessing good quality facilities, and when they actually do, they have major problems with accessing post-production that enables them to send quality products to the market". 

It's these  challenges that the Downtown Music Hub is looking initially to address with the long term vision being to involve aspects of the music business.

Chola Makgamathe, CEO, The Downtown Music Hub

The next phase will focus on IP issues, publishing issues and dealing with the distribution issues. "People in this country want to feel what they purchase. It must be tangible. The online market is not as big here as it is everywhere else. For example, one of the biggest selling genres in this country is Traditional Zulu Music. These are people who want to touch what they buy. We need to find a way to get our music out there."

Downtown Studios was, and still is, to a large extent home for musicians. Although there have been significant changes to the building, those who know it will agree that it has maintained it's soul .... it's just a new version of what was always there.

The Artists

And very much part of the Downtown Studios history is Darryl Heilbrunn, General Manager of The Downtown Music Hub. He joined the studios back in 1988 when they were still known as RPM Studios and IPM Record Company, before being taken over by the Gallo Brothers and becoming Gallo Records.

Darryl remembers the very first artist they signed,  Paul Ndlovu, the man who coined the Iyobayo! lyric that so many bubble gum artists of the era copied.

He also remembers one of the early directors, and a dear friend, the late West Nkosi. West Nkosi discovered Ladysmith Black Mambazo and The Mahotela Queens.

Darryl Heilbrunn, General Manager, The Downtwon Music Hub

"It was also in those early years when they discovered another dear friend of mine, the late Lucky Dube," says Darryl. 

"At that stage, Lucky was shepherding sheep in Newcastle, Kwazulu Natal. His uncle, Richard Siloma, told him "You have a good voice. Come to Johannesburg and I will find you a deal." Interestingly enough, his first album was not reggae but Mbagqanga ... the Zulu traditional music.

"Gallo was a truly South African record company as it had Afrikaans acts like Gert Potgieter, Louis Coetzee and Sonia Herald as well as Zulu, Shangaan and Sotho artists," says Darryl.

Lucky Dube

The name changed from RPM Studios to Downtown Studios in 1993. "It was an amazing place. It was a hot pot of talent, musicians and wonderful producers of the day ... the Richard Silomas, the West Nkosis, the Sipho Mabuses, our chairman Dona Laka, Miriam Makeba before she went into exile, Hugh Masekela before he went off as well ... Jonas Gwanga. Everybody worked here," remembers Darryl. "Dorkay House was just around the corner. It was the ANC rehearsal rooms where artist would rehearse and then come here to record."

Ladysmith Black Mambazo

"I worked with Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Mahlathini and the ladies, Busi Mhlongo, Yvonne Chaka Chaka ... she was amazing. 

Brenda Fassie. She was different. She used to park her big white Mercedes Benz in Fox Street, turn up the music and jive."

Brenda Fassie

Besides our wonderful local artists, Darryl also had the opportunity to host and record U2, Simply Red and Dolly Parton when she collaborating with Ladysmith Black Mambazo. 

To see a full list of the artists who have recorded at Downtown Studios, click here. 

Keeping the Memories Alive 

"The building tells such an important story but that story has not been properly documented," says Downtown Music Hub CEO, Chola Makgmathe. 

And with many of the artists who have recorded at the studios over the years having passed away, it's going to become even more difficult to find any information about the place.

The Downtown Music Hub has invested in preserving its heritage with a Music Exhibition which they hope in time will become a Music Museum. 

Vusi Mchunu, CEO, House of Memory

Under the curatorship of Vusi Mchunu of House of Memory, the Hub has made use of the photographs and old recording equipment that was just lying around, creating a fascinating exhibit. A snapshot of the history of these vibrant studios.

As Vusi says, "Downtown Studios is a legendary place. When you are here, it's like walking through a library of the South African song book."