World Music Producer

Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?

A: uSiba, Kodes of Dialekt is an album we released in January of 2024 as NoMyayii. I am especially proud of this project. It is a full length LP of 17 songs, and is truly an exemplification of my versatility and range as a producer. I make several vocal appearances on the album in the form of rapped segments. From deep rooted jazz to groovy hip hop to poetic spoken word to traditional war chants and rhythms of Southern Afrika. This project is one that speaks greatly to the spirit that lives in us all, and I am grateful to have been a part of something that heals and elevates the soul in such a great way. My wish is that all who give their ear to this project receive the same grace and elevation that I received through creating the album.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I am currently working on several projects for my music group NoMyayii. We create tribal jazz music with elements of spiritual neo-soul. Our most recent project is scheduled for release on May 16th 2024.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Digital. I grew up not having much access to heavy expensive analog equipment, and therefore, groomed myself in the realm of digital music production.

Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?

A: To deliver an authentic and quality sounding product that lifts the spirit and satisfies your desires of creating a memorable and professional piece of music.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Being able to exercise the creator in me and authentically express what moves through my heart.

Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A: Question: How long have you been producing? Answer: 14 years Question: What type of music do you make? Answer: World music with spiritual and tribal elements fused with modern grooves of jazz, hip hop, soul and house.

Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?

A: A lot of people think that authentic natural sounding music cannot be made through digital means. Go have a listen to the projects on our website - nomyayii.co.za - and hear for yourself what a digital production process and can give.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: How long have you been making music? What level of experience do you have in music? What type of sound/genre touches your soul? What is your budget for the song/project you wish to make?

Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A: Give the producer space and freedom to do what they do best. A producer will always follow the guidelines and blueprint of the requested sound, however, they also need to be allowed to execute the production of that sound in a manner that is in line with the flow that works best for them so they can give you the best possible product that you have hired them for.

Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?

A: Laptop, audio interface, a microphone, a midi keyboard with drumpad, and a flute.

Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?

A: I have been producing for 14 years. Since I started making music, it has never left me.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Authentic and mysterious, with a bold groove and bounce.

Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?

A: Kendrick Lamar. His creative vision is truly authentic, and it is clear that he is a great spirit - musically and energetically.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Be authentic and approach your music from the heart

Q: What type of music do you usually work on?

A: I usually work on world music that is spiritually rooted music with elements of modern grooves that take from jazz, soul, hip hop, reggae and house.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Combining spiritual/mystical/ancient tones with modern grooves and bounce.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring spiritual and mystical sounding elements and melodies with jazzy undertones. Potent yet smooth driving basslines are also a specialty of mine which I bring to many of my productions.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: The process varies depending on the production at hand. Typically I will begin with an instrument such as guitar, keys, flute, harp, etc. then expand onto drums and a bassline. I also like to mix the elements of the song simultaneously while composing and producing so that the writer/vocalist has a clean sound to work with during their lyrical writing/vocal recording process.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I use FL Studio as my production software. I have a Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Generation interface (I really love the Focusrite brand). I incorporate live guitar often, as well as live wooden percussion. The plugins I use are very much classically and traditionally rooted with instruments such as Harps, Sitars, Classical Pianos, Japanese Koto, Xylophones, Konga and Bongo Drums. I combine these with strong Kick drums, Snares and Basslines inspired by Hip Hop and Jazz.

Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?

A: Some of the musicians and producers that inspire me are: Dorothy Ashby, Alice Coltrane, Madala Kunene, Philip Tabane, J Dilla, Kendrick Lamar, Midnite, Vaughn Benjamin (Akae Beka), Chronixx, Kaytranada, Erykah Badu, Sade, Greentea Peng, Ryu Fukui, Takuya Kuroda, John Lee Hooker, Carlos Santana.

Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.

A: The most common work I do for clients is producing and engineering of their songs they would like to see come to life.