Words by Lauryn Njeri
Photo by Keith Virgo
South Africa’s electronic music scene is quickly dominating the African continent. Many listeners under the Electronic category across the globe are filling their hearts with the uplifting rhythms from South Africa. One of the key players in this music scene who is surely making heavy strides goes by the name blaqkongo. Currently based in Capetown, South Africa, blaqkongo is a Producer and DJ who’s musical roots are deeply clawed in the electronic music scene exploring various sub-genres including House (Deep and Tech), Techno and everything in between.
At the beginning of the global lockdown, just like most of us dedicated our time to picking up a new hobby, working out, or doing absolutely nothing, blaqkongo and his counterpart; Mr Blasé took on a musical challenge of their own. The electronic music producers embarked on a journey to create one song each week for five weeks which led to the birth of brainchild; “38 Days 38 Ways”. During the five weeks, they both kept their followers engaged with a slew of well-crafted tracks that explored both concepts of easy listening charm, as well as dancefloor heavy-hitters, where of course the electronic music genre is most at home.
Blaqkongo and Mr Blasé have already released some of the music that was spawned by the project on the 19th June, which has quickly garnered a massive listenership, even gracing the 4th position in the best new Deep House, June, category on the Beatport platform. Blaqkongo has now decided to follow up with a Bonus Tracks EP via his label Blaqkongo Music on which features a rework of his lead single “Somethin’ Bout U” and an instrumental version of the deep and pensive “Always There.”
I had the honour of having a chat about how life has been for him during the social distancing era as well as his journey to creating “38 Days 38 Ways”.
As a DJ and producer who gigs regularly, Blaqkongo shared a little on how his craft has been affected by the global COVID-19 pandemic. “I organize quite a few events in Cape Town – individually and as part of a collective – so this time has been quite tough as this was our main revenue stream.” However, he says “It’s been interesting because whilst I’m not playing as frequently as I used to, beautiful new opportunities to network globally, get gigs, and work on music have become available. On top of that, the challenges that come with this time allow for growth and learning, and for that, I’m grateful.“
We further went on to discuss how the producer has been spending his days during South Africa’s nationwide lockdown. Just as expected, blakqongo gave away that a typical day in his life would look a little something like “Produce, DJ, produce, DJ, produce! Nah just messing around.” He laughed. “But the first 5-6 weeks of my lockdown did actually look like that. I did weekly livestreams where I would explore different vibes that I love, including stuff I don’t usually play out – Jazz, Bossa Nova, Funk, Blues, Percussive Latin and African Music, RnB, Neo Soul amongst my regular stuff like Soulful and Deep House. I made 8 playlists for each week that I did the livestreams which you can find via my Spotify 🙂“
As the neverending days went by however, he let us know “Now, I just take every day as it comes – I wake up and meditate, read, and then just take each moment as it comes.“
“In the past, I struggled to make honest music because I always wanted to make a song like ‘this guy or a banger like that guy. This time, I wasn’t trying to be like someone, making bangers, making deep songs, or any of that, I just wanted to create music that made me happy”
“38 Days 38 Ways” is a title that quickly stirred the curiosity within me. Eager to know how it came to be, blaqkongo profoundly shared, “So along with the weekly livestreams, a friend and I also decided to do a “Beat-A-Week” challenge where every Saturday we’d start a song and drop it the following Friday. After 5 and a half weeks, I had made all the songs that are on the EP and the tracks are the most honest music I have ever written.” He highlighted that “The title is reflective of the number of days it took to craft the EP and the cathartic creative process I went through.“
Seeing as how he evidently has a mindfully systematic way of doing things, he further went ahead to intricately describe his creative process for this project. He passionately shared, “to me, the process was really about just creating. Nothing more, nothing less. In the past, I struggled to make honest music because I always wanted to make “a song like this guy” or “a banger like that guy”. This time, I wasn’t trying to be like someone, making bangers, making deep songs, or any of that, I just wanted to create music that made me happy. That was literally my only measure – does it sound good and feel good to me? Yeah? Okay it’s done then!“
When I first listened to “38 Days 38 Ways” I was immediately struck by the honest emotions it brought forth. Each track led me into a euphoric trance, not to mention the nostalgic feels that took me back to the good old days on the dancefloor at my favourite festivals. The project’s seamless flow can be easily compared to walking through a tunnel filled with comforting baselines, high vibrations and symphonic melodies; each playing with a different part of your psyche in a fun and hypnotic way.
The EP definitely lives up to blaqkongo’s expectations because when asked what one should expect with this delightful body of work he concurred with my experience by saying “Love, light, joy and euphoria. No jokes, if you give yourself to the project, it’s a beautiful journey“. The talented producer was also sure to point out that “The Bonus Tracks EP focuses on creating a re-imagined mood of the lead single from the original project and an instrumental mix of a song called Always There, also from the original EP. My suggestion would be to play the OG EP and then go straight into the Bonus Tracks.“
After this already exhilarating listen, I was excited to know what else blaqkongo has in store for his fans in the near future. He gave his honest word when he stated “It definitely is in my plans to release more music this year but I don’t want to create expectations. I’m working at my own pace to create more authentic music that comes from a pure place. If I create something that feels right, it’s very likely that you’ll hear it sooner than later! I believe music is a spiritual thing and it heals, so I don’t plan on holding records back, the music must be free. Everyone needs it!“
Carried away by my own reminiscence, I was keen to know where blaqkongo would have loved to be fulfilling his passions, say the current global circumstances were different. “First and foremost I would love to be playing at an event I regularly host called Casa Kongo! It focuses on a lot of percussive driven music and we have such a beautiful community of real music lovers who just come with all the right energy!” He shares with much excitement. “Next in line would be two Cape Town based events called Slow Cooked Sundays and We House Sundays – two sunday day-parties that really shake things up on these ends! On the international front, I would have loved to play in Berlin and Amsterdam this summer!“
While COVID has wreaked havoc in the daily routines and livelihood of many, it is refreshing to hear how these two artists have managed to sidestep some of the sombreness around this period to deliver two releases that breathe new life into the electronic music scene. Awash with low slung grooviness, lush synth work and nimble use of vocal samples, each track on this EP will no doubt find fans among those followers of such groove luminaries as DetroitSwindle, Atjazz and Joe Kay, to name a few.