Mannie & Decks: Amapiano's Masked Duo on the Rise

As heard on the Tiripanze Radio Show with DJ Wardy | Radio2Funky | Friday 24th April

There's something quietly electric about watching two brothers move in sync behind the decks. No faces on show, just music and a crowd that doesn't need anything else to feel it.

Mannie & Decks are an international DJ duo of Zimbabwean heritage who have been close friends since childhood. In just three years, they've carved out a distinctive space within the UK's rapidly expanding Amapiano scene. Brothers in every sense that matters, and now one of the genre's more intriguing acts operating out of Britain, their story is one of self-belief, cultural connection, and a deliberate choice to let the music do the talking.

They sat down with DJ Wardy on the Tiripanze Radio Show, broadcast live on Radio2Funky, for a conversation that covered everything from their unlikely beginnings to what's coming next, all while delivering a live Amapiano mix straight from the studio.

Like many of the best origin stories, Mannie & Decks didn't set out to become DJs. They went to an event, looked at what was happening behind the decks, and thought they could do it better. That instinct became the spark.

From there came the hours of practice, the early bookings, and the inevitable stumbles. Their first proper gig didn't go to plan, but rather than retreat, it clarified something important: Amapiano was the genre that made sense of everything they were trying to do.

"It naturally connected with us," they said.

And once they locked into that sound, everything else began to follow.

Amapiano, born in the townships of South Africa and built on log drums, piano loops, and deep bass, has become one of the most significant musical exports to reach the UK in recent years. For Mannie & Decks, it's a cultural thread that connects their Zimbabwean roots with the communities they're building around themselves in Britain.

Their sets are warm, layered, and built for movement. They describe their approach as instinctive rather than formulaic, shaped by the room and the moment as much as any pre-planned tracklist.

Every artist has a moment that shifts the trajectory. For Mannie & Decks, it came when Nakhedi, known widely as Mr Woza, co-founder of WOZA UK and an established DJ in his own right, booked them for the Woza All White Party Winter Wonderland event.

The crowd responded strongly, and something clicked. More than the performance itself, it was the validation that an established figure in the industry had seen something in them worth betting on. That kind of early support, they say, still means a lot.

Momentum is building, and their next performance is one to watch.

WOZA CLASH vs Two Sync DJ

Club Republic, Leicester Sunday 3rd May | https://www.fatsoma.com/e/sws0172c/woza-clash

When Decks takes stock of where they are, you can hear the quiet disbelief in his voice. Three years, multiple cities, a recognisable sound, a growing fanbase, and a visual identity that's become associated with their name.

The surprise, he says, hasn't been the hard work. It's been the people. The established names who've shown real support, and the industry figures who didn't have to open doors but did anyway.

Having each other through all of it, both brothers agree, has made the difference, especially when opportunities start coming faster than anticipated.

You can't talk about Mannie & Decks without talking about the balaclavas.

What started almost accidentally, because Decks didn't like his own facial expressions while performing, has evolved into one of their most recognisable signatures. They tried it once, it worked, and they kept it.

Performing masked has become a way to direct energy away from their faces and towards the music. In a world where image often competes with art, it's a deliberate choice to keep the focus where they want it. It also makes them immediately recognisable on any lineup.

Day Party or Club Night?

Put them on the spot and the brothers split. Mannie is a nightlife man; he loves the production, the atmosphere, and the sense that everyone in the room has committed to the night. Decks is more flexible and happy to read whatever room he's given.

Between them, that balance probably makes for a stronger duo.

Who's the Better DJ?

Mannie didn't hesitate: Decks, because he puts in more hours of practice.

Decks agreed, saying he's the more technical of the two. It's telling that brothers can be that straightforward with each other about it.

What's Coming

Mannie & Decks are beginning to look beyond the DJ booth. Production is increasingly on their minds, and they're working towards an EP and an album, with the ambition of developing a sound that's distinctly theirs.

Beyond that, they're targeting bigger events, festival slots, and international bookings. They've also spoken about exploring hybrid DJ sets as the next evolution of their live experience.

For a duo three years into their journey, the roadmap is unusually clear.

Watch & Listen

MANNIE & DECKS LIVE | 4AM IN SOWETO | BOILER ROOM | AMAPIANO MIX

YEBO! — Stream on Spotify Full catalogue: Spotify

Connect with Mannie & Decks

Instagram & Snapchat: @manniedecks YouTube: Subscribe here

Mannie & Decks are still in the early chapters of something that looks increasingly significant. With a clear identity, a growing body of work, and a cultural thread that runs back to the continent, they're not just participating in the UK Amapiano scene. They're helping to shape it.