There was a birth of a new wave of house music not too long ago. A sudden influx of South African made house music washed ashore. Not that house music wasn't made indigenously, before the year 2008, don't get me wrong. This was a special time as a lot experimental tribal house music was spreading like wild fire, a scenario that played out in the Miami music conference of that 2 to 3 years period
DHLA: Who is Nqala and the Nqalastyle part of it?
Nqala: Nqalastyle is
a music enthusiast born in Durban (a city not so deep), known to many for his
deep underground sound and known as The Music Guru to those close to him or
those in the know.
Nqalastyle comes from Nqalastani, which is a street moniker
I have had since childhood, so had to put a twist to the name some 10 years
ago.
DHLA: When did it all
start for you in this House Music genre
Nqala: Glenzito made
me fall inlove with underground house music be it soulful, deep house or tech,
that was around 2002 if I remember correctly then he had a guy called Dj Sefaty
on his shows as a guess on a regular basis who played almost the same style as
him , some really superior music man those days I will not forget, so because I
was still very young at that time and there wasnt any djs or anyone I knew who
was into this kinda sound I would just buy empty cassettes and record all the
mixes on Glen's show then try mixing music that was already on a mix tape, it
was just the love of this sound.
DHLA: You propelled Darkie back in the day, fill us in?
Nqala: Darque is a brother to me and we have come far, he
had the talent I had the vision and at that time I was hands on pushing the
local house sound that was coming out , Oskido was giving us airplay on Yfm it
was great, so we did some interviews on Yfm, I would mostly focus on compiling
the music to play on our interviews with the guys I used to push, my name was
familiar with everyone who knew what was happening, was also responsible with
compiling the music for Vintage Soul on their interviews on Gagasi fm, I was
also part of the Iklwa Brothers music label, I have promoted and done a lot for
many producers and djs at that time.
DHLA: Are you'll
still as close?
Nqala: we have spoken
in a while but we are cool, think we last had a call some months ago when I saw
his video on Chanel O and had to congratulate him.
DHLA: You've been exposed to different house scenes and
different clicks that follow the genre, how would you sum it up
Nqala: that is a very important question for me..so ever
since I have kinda left the djying thing, I decided that I need to learn as
much as I can about the house music scene in SA while touring this country, I
have full knowledge of how the scene is in Jhb, Pta , Dbn, Pmb, Newcastle and
now currently cape town which is actually the most interesting because in the
year I am here I have attended some really life changing gigs and the plan is
to finally transfer the knowledge I have gathered and have something solid for
underground music lovers that will last a
lifetime
DHLA: Would you say
house music has changed?
Nqala : the sound changes all the time throughout the world.
DHLA: What is your prediction for the next 2 years?
Nqala: SA house is still going to be big for a long time as
people from outside the country are enjoying it since its a different sound for
them.
DHLA: Where do you currently live, how is the house scene
there? What could be done to get more SA house music overseas? Any upcoming
producers and Djs to watch?
Nqala: I am currently
in Cape Town and exploring the scene as much as I can, there is some really
good movements here, the Waxon gig every first Thursday of the month takes it
for me, it is not strictly confined to one genre or style.
DHLA: What are you
favourite record Labels locally and internationally
Nqala: Sound
Signature, Peacefrog, Ninja Tune, Future Vision/Prescription, Deepex, Freerange
..just to name a few
DHLA: Tell us about your mixes
Nqala: my mixes are very random but very educational at
least that is the intention, there's no music restrictions really could be
soulful, breaks, lounge , deep , afro ..if it sounds good to my ears, I will
play it.
DHLA: What's your advice to upcoming house musos
Nqala: information is out there, gather knowledge then you
will be great but if you are made for this.
DHLA: Any chance of you venturing into production
Nqala: I do not think
so, l’m happy appreciating other people's sound
DHLA: What is the
current state of house music in SA
Nqala: my opinion has always been that SA has the
best djs on earth, we have some really unsung heroes.
DHLA: Where can your
fans catch you
Nqala: unfortunately,
though I get reasonable gig requests especially for someone who has been.
Inactive for so long ,I am not playing
probably still for a very long time, l’m not in that space , right now is still
about learning and enjoying what others put out there
Nqala: check out
"Space & Time" , a recent tape on my soundcloud.com/nqalastyle
..i am busy working on a new mix to be out soon with some really celestial
vibes, those who know will know.
#ThatsAwrap
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