From studio to screen: Sean Trimz's role in shaping SA's soapie soundtracks

Sean Trimz, born Dumisani Mlaudza, hails from Katlehong and was raised in Vosloorus. 

As a multifaceted artist, songwriter, record producer and record executive, he has quietly shaped the soundscape of some of South Africa’s most popular television shows.

His music has been featured in hit shows such as “Isidingo”, “Gomora”, “Uzalo”, “Isibaya”, “Isithembiso” and “The Queen”. 

Despite his pervasive presence in millions of households, Trimz has deliberately stayed out of the limelight, focusing instead on building a sustainable career and growing his record label, Certified Clique Music. 

Trimz’s passion for music started early, singing in school choirs during primary school, where he discovered his love for songwriting. 

He began recording in 2011 and, by 2013, launched his own record label. His professional breakthrough came with the 2015 single “MyTurn”, which brought him initial recognition.

Over the years, he released several significant projects, including “Thang For Ya”, “Eastside”, “Eastside 2.0”, “Freedom”, and the “No Validation” EP, which impressively hit number one on iTunes within an hour of its release. 

Reflecting on his music being a staple in popular TV dramas, Trimz shared, “It feels really good because that’s where music sells itself. Having my music play on TV changed a lot for me. These shows are licensed and marketed internationally, so they gave me global reach."

"I even get direct messages on Instagram from people around the world who discovered my music through those shows.” His music, embedded in the fabric of South African storytelling, resonates far beyond local borders. 

Though his sound is widely recognised, Trimz has intentionally kept a low profile.

He explained, “I don’t want to be famous - but broke. That’s never been the goal. I’ve always been focused on building a solid, sustainable music career that generates real income - not just hype.”

This practical mindset has guided his career choices, valuing longevity and financial stability over fleeting fame. 

On Certified Clique Music, Trimz is clear about his ambitions: “The vision is to create global hits - something that moves people the way 'Jerusalema' by Master KG or ‘Water' by Tyla did.” 

His approach to running a label has been transformative.

“Running my label taught me a lot about the music market. Once you understand the market, you know what sounds to release and when. I’ve learned that music is more than sound - it’s life, it’s a need. Timing, strategy, and relevance are everything,” he said.  

Trimz has now stepped more fully into the spotlight as an artist with his debut album,

“There’s Only One Way To Find Out”. The lead single, “Sorry Makubhlungu”, is already receiving airplay on 28 radio stations, with a music video set to drop soon. 

He noted, “The album is loaded with hits - no fillers.”

Balancing the roles of producer, artist and label head can be complex, but Trimz takes it in stride.

“It’s normal. I haven’t broken through just yet, so I still have a lot of time on my hands. During the day, I’m the label head - handling meetings, emails and pitches. In the evening, I become an artist - that’s when I create without interruptions.” 

He admitted that breaking through on certain platforms is challenging due to gatekeeping, but the payoff is worth it: “Every time I get paid for my music - that’s the win.” 

Storytelling is at the heart of Trimz’s music.

“Mostly the journey. It’s important to tell my story because it inspires others. Inspiration doesn’t have limits - it crosses age, gender and culture."

"My journey includes being an independent artist, navigating love and heartbreak, being a father, making money here and there, growing as a man and sharing what I see daily. That’s what I put in the music.” 

When it comes to the music he’s created for television, Trimz clarified that he didn’t work directly on the shows but rather pitched his existing songs to them. 

“These were actual songs I composed and submitted. They saw the vision I presented and genuinely liked the music. That’s how those placements happened.” 

His style and growth have been shaped by the influence of artists like Fabolous, 50 Cent and Drake.

“I connect with their lyricism, confidence and the way they move. They’ve shaped how I see artistry and storytelling,” Trimz explained.

For upcoming producers and independent artists trying to navigate the South African music industry, Trimz offered candid advice: “No shortcuts - stay persistent. Come up with a plan and stick to it. Don’t stress about how long it takes, just focus on meeting your targets."

"Not everyone is your friend, and in this game, everyone is aiming for the top - wealth, success and fame. So you’ve got to move wisely.”