Apple Music today announced South African DJ, producer and Gqom pioneer, DJ Lag (real name Lwazi Asanda Gwala) as its latest Isgubhu cover star.
“I’m excited and honoured to have been chosen to be part of Apple Music’s Isgubhu, especially so close to my album release. African dance music has grown and every month I discover new artists and sounds through these playlists. As a continent we have so much to offer to dance floors around the world, and South Africa specifically is a major player through our consistency of Afro House/Afro Tech releases and pioneering genres such Amapiano, and of course, Gqom!” he tells Apple Music.
The release of his long-awaited debut album Meeting with The King (2022), highlights the producer’s signature style but also his flair for experimentation as he creates a slower, sexier tone that can be felt on lead single “Ikhehla feat. Babes Wodumo”. Merging new ideas with the staple genres of his formative years, DJ Lag continues his quest to break ground on future sounds.
DJ Lag has also created an exclusive Isgubhu playlist that features tracks that showcase the diverse range of South Africa’s electronic talent. “My Isgubhu playlist is a mixture of my experiences and inspirations in the making of my album Meeting with the King. From listening to DJ Tira, when I first started creating my own Gqom beats, to listening to Aymos the day I submitted my album! When I started compiling the tracks, I just reached for special moments in my music journey and the soundtrack of those moments. I am extremely proud to be part of the South African music scene. We have done an amazing job in creating sub-genres that are celebrated on dance floors across the world and to keep ahead of the trends,” he explains.
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Taking over Isgubhu By… for this month is Free State-born house music producer and DJ, Kasango (real name Kasmario Thulani Ike Fankis). Forming a deep love for house music during his teenage years, Kasango’s debut “One Night” feat. Jamie Fallon Smith” (2020), earned him the support of Black Coffee, Shimza, Culoe De Song and Zakes Bantwini. He went on to collaborate with Bantwini on the worldwide hit “Osama”, which charted at #1 for 14 weeks on SA radio and was named as one of DJ Mag’s Songs of the Year in 2021. Kasango’s second single “Closer” was also named as one of Mix Mag’s Song of the Year in 2021, and in January 2022 he was pinpointed as part of DJ Mag’s Ones to Watch for the new year.
“African dance music has always been a part of our culture, and one of the things that brings joy to my heart is that the world is ready to recognise all of the talented acts coming out of Africa, who are ready to take up space in the world. We have a plethora of amazing acts who are exporting the sound all over. As a nation, electronic music has always been with us from back in the days when Soul Candi used to drop compilations, it’s a sound that will never die but only grow with new heroes sharing their stories to the world,” he explains.
Launched in early 2021, Isgubhu is Apple Music’s definitive home of African Dance and Electronic music spotlighting and elevating the work of African Electronic DJs, producers and creatives. Isgubhu, a Zulu word meaning beat and used to refer to a banging song, pays homage to an evergreen set of genres and the African artists who have played a pivotal role in shaping the Dance and Electronic scene across the world.
Isgubhu also houses a collection of playlists including Spotlight On – a focus on boutique labels like Soul Candi, House Afrika, Stay True Sounds and Uganda’s Hakuna Kulala & Nyege Nyege Tapes and Isgubhu Voices – a focus on the best Dance and Electronic tracks that feature vocals.
