Eswatini Rapper, Record Producer, Founder & President at Riska_D_Rollaz Records.
Thabiso Brandon Njoko, professionally known as, D_cider, is an Eswatini Rapper, Singer-Songwriter, Record Producer, Graphic Designer, Founder and current President at Riska_D_Rollaz Records located at Mankayane, Eswatini.
D_cider has stated that his music inspired by life situations between friends, family, and complete strangers and how life has unfolded for him in perspective.
He has since self-released Rapiary, Rapiary II and Rapiary III, under his own label, introducing his alter egos on his recent project: Rapiary III - The Unmastered Files (TUF); Joyrebel Smooth & Benjamin Stash. They draw their inspiration from funk, urban jazz and Rnb as opposed to D_cider, who is strictly hip hop and rap.
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Credits
Languages
- English
Interview with D_cider
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: I collaborated with Mackchezzy & Master Seth on the production on a song titled "Dirty Money". You should check it out: D_cider - Dirty Money (Feat. Mackchezzy) The production was on point, Big Shoutout to M.Seth. The energy Mack brought was on fire and he delivered on his verses. "All we ever needed was capital"
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: I'm working on and EP, title EVOKE. I'm hoping to drop it this year, and that beat tape with Seven' Beats; Vinyard Vol.1.
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: I don't know her personally but I came across her work while on a Beatstars livestream. She's the most featured artist on Spotify.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Digital. Ideally I'd choose analog but times have changed and we need to adapt and appreciate new technology.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: I'll provide high quality products. I'll respect your time and your wishes. I'll bring in a creative energy & expand your spectrum of knowledge.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: Creating an original idea, or project, something unique.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: How do you balance your schedule and how do you choose the artists you work with? I'm very organized and I value peoples' time. Balancing a schedule comes with respecting the people you work with. I could use a PA or two 😂🤣 If I need assistance I ask early, not in the last hour. Usually I reciprocate energy, especially if I see the passion in the person or artist. I don't want to follow up on people, unless a follow-up schedule. Passion & drive is my key element, everyone can improve over time.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: Everything happens overnight.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: What is the deadline? What are you hoping to achieve?
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Give a person shot, you never know what can grow from that...
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: Laptop, Phone, Mic, Earphones, Multi-Purpose Charger 🤣😂🤣
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I'm still in journey, rap, produce, sing, run a record label, help other in-corprate their ideas into life, both musically, visually and with a good design outlook. I've been perfecting my skills for a good 10 years now.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: I think I'm versatile, I love bars in a song or just as song that taps into an emotion. Everyday is different and we experience different emotions It's hard to describe my style honestly speaking but i drift to Hip Hop, R&B, Soul, Urban Jazz & Funk. Style would would confine because you find that you express an emotion better in an RnB song than Hip Hop song. Same goes with production, I'm versatile.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Ideally, Cordae, Blxst, H.E.R, The Weeknd, Bas, Alicia Keys, Burna Boy, Brent Fiayaz, Jay Z & J. Cole...just at the top of my head and in Southern Africa ZuluMecca, A Reece, J Molley, Touchline, Stogie T & Zoccie Coke Dope I think I would like to explore more in music production with DJ Pain, Red Rose Beatz, Tantu Beats, Othello Beats, Dat Boi Butter, Consiiglius, Ppurplesauce, Wulf Beats haha... theres alot.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: When mixing & mastering, just do enough that it makes it easier for the artist to sound as good or relatable when they performing live. I think we get lost in the perfectiction a software can make a song and we lose the relationship between the two realities and the response the crowd will give when they meet the artist at a concert or festival.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Hip Hop & R&B, Soul & Funk
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Rapping and songwriting has to be my strongest skill, with a bit of marketing and advertising strategies for a project. I'm still naturing my mixing and mastering skills but I'm at a point where I can put it out there and watch it compete with the best.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: I bring that spark that makes it touch the soul of a personal or make them dance. I'm there for the small elements that make a sound or vocal pop in way you wouldn't expect but still be impactful.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: It all depends on the day, sometimes I come up with a melody then put on FL the add elements that make it rich, the bring in the vocals Mix & Master the beat and the vocals. When I receive a project to mix and master, I listen to it more than 3 times and then try to see where it needs to be improved and then take it from there and keep constant contact with te client to understand what they want out of the project. It is a whole dynamic process if we are both in studio, that way we can brainstorm about what we both want or what you personally want and take it from there and let the creative juices flow.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: My studio set-up at the moment is just simple, PC, speakers, mixer, mic and a recording booth.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: On the musical side, I'm inspired by Masego, Kanye West, Pharrell genuinely because they've invested in both vocals and production and they've mastered it well. I think other honourable mentions would be Brent Fiayaz, Anderson .Paak, Snoop Dogg & Jay Z, purely for the way they move or hustle in this business.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: I jumped on the SJ Cypher beats and created something magical as D_cider. On the production side, under the alter ego, Joyrebel Smooth, we did a collaborative project with Seven' Beats; he provided me some loops and I baked some beats with Afrobeats vibes. As a Hip Hop head it was a great challenge to stretch my skills and learn a different sound, it improved my ear and I can't wait for the world to hear Vineyard Vol. 1.
- Kanye West
- Masego
- Brent Faiyaz
