Tanaka Sibanda, the Zimbabwean producer better known as Mr Miyagi, is beginning to establish a distinct presence in the Afro electronic scene through work that connects Southern African rhythm with global production sensibilities. Now based in Johannesburg, he is fast becoming part of the growing movement of young African producers whose ideas are shaping the sound of international pop and dance music.
His latest milestone comes through a collaboration with French producer DJ Snake on the track Company, featured on Snake’s new album Nomad. The song brings together Zimbabwean artists Bantu and Dr Chaii alongside Dutch producer Avedon, with Mr Miyagi credited for both the original concept and the rhythmic foundation that anchors the final arrangement. Built from an Afro house beat he first created in Johannesburg, the track blends African percussion with electronic layers and pop elements that broaden its reach without losing its roots.
DJ Snake, known globally for songs such as Taki Taki and Turn Down for What, picked up the idea while developing material for Nomad. The collaboration then unfolded across continents, with all four producers shaping the song’s energy. The result is a track that demonstrates the cross border fluidity defining today’s music, where African influence is no longer a footnote but an essential part of the global palette.
For Mr Miyagi, the growing recognition is tied to a broader body of work that spans Southern and East Africa. He worked on Smile with Manana and Christer for Savara of Sauti Sol, a track that leaned on melody and warmth. He also co produced Bvuma with Bantu, a tribute to Oliver Mtukudzi’s Wasakara that resonated strongly in Zimbabwe last year and climbed local radio charts. Each project reflects his instinct for blending rhythm, emotion, and layered instrumentation in ways that feel both intimate and expansive.
Johannesburg has become a significant influence on his craft. The city’s constant exchange of ideas and sounds has pushed him to experiment with Afro house, soul, amapiano and pop, and these combinations have shaped his voice as a producer. At twenty two, he is already part of collaborative networks that include established artists and emerging voices who are redefining the space between African and global music.
What stands out in Mr Miyagi’s work is the ease with which he moves across genres and borders. His contribution to Company is an example of how young producers from the region are helping shift the direction of international pop and dance music, not through imitation but through original ideas that carry the rhythm and feeling of home.
He sees his journey as a long term project built on trust, curiosity and creative partnership. As global interest in African producers continues to grow, his footprint is expanding with it. His work is grounded in Southern African sensibilities, yet it reaches outward with confidence, demonstrating how the next wave of producers can shape conversations far beyond their borders.
