Pops Mohamed
Ismail Mohamed-Jan, known professionally as Pops Mohamed, was a South African multi-instrumentalist, jazz musician and producer.
Life and career
Born in Benoni, Gauteng, Pops Mohamed had a career in music that was the logical outcome of an early exposure at Dorkay House to the likes of Abdullah Ibrahim and Kippie Moeketsi. Mohamed's father was a Muslim of Portuguese and Indian heritage and his mother was of Xhosa and Khoisan heritage. He grew up in the Indian community of Johannesburg. He started his first band The Valiants, at the age of 14. Known by fans as the "Minister of Music", he played a wide variety of instruments: African mouth bow, bird whistle, berimbau, didgeridoo, guitar, keyboard, kora, and the thumb piano. He was also known for his wide range of musical styles which include kwela, pop, and soul. He produced Finding One's Self, the late Moses Taiwa Molelekwa's award-winning album.Pops received a lifetime achievement award in 2023. Pops was also known for visiting a wide number of countries.
Pops also performed regularly with and sat on the board of the Johannesburg Youth Orchestra Company.
Pops had three children, seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He died on 4 December 2025, at the age of 75.