I recall a time in my high schooling days, downloading my first cracked version of FL studios. I was prepared to venture into the world of beat production, not aware of how complex it could truly be. Although I found myself struggling to piece together all the bits and pieces behind crafting a beat, I found myself devoting so much time and energy into creating sounds of my own.

Over time, the loving hobby of mine faded away. However, I still admired and appreciated listening to the many brilliant beats manufactured by the brightest minds in the local music scene. In many cases, I’d find myself appreciating the beats more than the vocal performances by singers or rappers. It’s why I was so captivated by the sounds of LOUNGE SINGER.

On our first official VERVE outing into the famous One Park, we came across the gifted producer doing his thing on the decks, blending dynamic samples and instrumentals over gripping Hip Hop beats that had the room bouncing.

With his current tape releases with makwil. (“Drizzl3” and “Dark Night.”) and also his latest birthday project release, titled “CARTWHEELS ON STEROIDS”, a chat between the two of us was needed. I managed to catch him for a conversation before his set at Chaos In The City, hosted by JOEY, where we were able to uncover his backstory, his passion for the craft, and his views on the creative culture within the Mother City.

To get things started, I feel like I need to first get to know you on a more personal level. Could you tell me about your background?

“Born and raised in Cape Town. In Bo-Kaap, not too far from here, a walking distance away. The hospital where I was born is now an old-age home. So, I can’t even go back there.”

“I grew up all around Cape Town. Family drama, divorce, etc meant that we were constantly moving around. I think that it was a good thing in the end because I got to experience a lot of the different sides of Cape Town. You can hear a little bit of that in my music.”

“Because I moved around, I obviously experienced the music that my peers, students at school, and just the different people around me were experiencing. I feel like I just constantly soaked it up, even if I didn’t like it.”

“Sometimes you might not click with things immediately. I think I was actually talking to Master Kiii about this the other day. A lot of people didn’t like Lil Wayne for a long time, but he’s one of the greatest ever. Things don’t click instantly with everyone. People see an image and make their minds up based on that.”

“It becomes less about the music that way. That’s why I think it’s good that VERVE is doing this. Because I hate the idea of having to sell my image, then it’s not about music anymore.”

LOUNGE SINGER & Master Kiii Jamming together - Shot By @tshepomgadule

With the multiple different surroundings in your past and all the varying sounds you were experiencing, what music were you listening to that helped shape your sound?

“Back then…shit. So, the first music that I listened to was obviously music shared by the parents. My mom was very into Alternative Rock and some Hip Hop. Stuff like Tupac, Biggie, and the classic Lauryn Hill. But my mom worked a lot while I was growing up, so I spent a lot of time around my aunt. And my aunt is an R&B head.”

“I’m saying Destiny’s Child, Beyonce, and Boyz II Men. My uncle fucking loves Boyz II Men! Also, my stepfather because I didn’t grow up with my dad. My mom remarried and I had a stepfather who was actually a huge Metalhead. He also listened to Hip Hop, and he put me onto stuff like Cypress Hill. So, I also got a little bit of that. Looking back, the stuff that he was listening to wasn’t actually that intense. It was hard for the average listener if you’re not used to that sound.”

Ooohh, Cypress Hill. Now that’s a throwback. On to my next question, there’s something I’d like you to clarify for me. When I see you as a beatmaker, could you define to me what exactly that means? What does LOUNGE SINGER do?

“I’d say I started off as a beatmaker because I was just putting ideas together. I think I’d call myself more of a producer because I have a more active involvement in the creation of tracks that I work on, sometimes even inspiring the concept or assisting with the cover art or the videos. I studied film production so that’s me using other skills in this music thing.”

“If you ask who LOUNGE SINGER is, I’d say I’m a Hip Hop producer.”

“I always knew I was going to do something with music. I actually bought a guitar in Matric. I don’t know why I did that in Matric. It didn’t make sense, I was really shit at playing it. I was also DJing towards the end of high school while I was still underage. I had to stop because of Matric.”

When you say DJing, did you mean playing at parties and stuff?

“Yeah. I used to throw Trap parties. That’s actually why my Instagram handle is skrrtcobain99. It’s obviously a riff on Kurt Cobain. That’s the Alternative Rock influence plus a lil Hip Hop…I always felt like putting that shit together.”

“I also did a lot of 80s-themed events, always sprinkling Hip Hop into it. That’s been my love for like forever.”

For you, what is the difference between a beatmaker and a producer?

“To some, they are synonyms. A lot of people will say they are producers, but some might just loop a track and send it through. They never meet the people that they work with, or they’re strictly beats…like no studio sessions. I mean a beat could be a song depending on how filled out it is.”

“I think there are definitely differences and it’s a very controversial topic.”

Why would that be deemed as controversial?

“I feel like the beat is the music. A lot of people won’t listen to a song if the beat is trash. They won’t give a fuck about what you have to say if they don’t like the production. This is unfortunately the way things are. I’ve always been a lyrics person, so I’ll never shit on rappers for anything like that.”

“But it’s the truth. A lot of good lyricists haven’t been recognized because people don’t vibe with their beats. And it’s not necessarily because the beats are bad. It’s just not a palatable sound so it’s not for everyone.”

“This is something that I’m trying to change, at least locally. I’ll do the Soul stuff because that’s one of my favourite genres of music. Soul, Gospel, and that kind of shit. My Grandmother was quite religious growing up - she sleeps with the bible next to her bed. So, there was always a little bit of that there.”

“However, I’m also into more abrasive sounds and more alternative Hip Hop (DEF JUX). I feel like we’ve got the talent to handle that in Cape Town, at least our take on it. There are hidden gems in Cape Town. Some of our best artists aren't getting the recognition that they need.”

I 100% agree with you on that. However, do you think producers get enough credit in the music scene?

“I feel like maybe in mainstream South African Hip Hop, not really. Unless it’s collaborations. For example, with the recent makwil. X LOUNGE SINGER release, I have a more active role in that project.”

“I’m not just sending beats to a random. That’s the homie. We both put in an equal amount of effort and so it’s only right that there’s enough credit. But I feel you with the whole credit thing. You might not usually see who a song is produced by, but you may like the beat, even if you don’t like the raps.”

It’s another reason why I’ve been loving the releases you’ve been dropping with makwil. Both your names are visibly credited for those projects for everyone to see and appreciate. Why do you think others don’t really do that though?

“I think it goes back to your question about producers and beatmakers. A beatmaker might work in the shadows but a producer would want to have more of an involvement. We’re all human beings and the reason why an artist might get more shine is because of how they present themselves.”

“That’s what I was saying earlier about the idea of having to sell your image. I hate it. In reality, posting your album cover or song, you might not get that much engagement compared to a different kind of post (for example a fit pic).”

“I’m very iffy about this, even as someone who likes fashion. People can be very superficial and at the end of the day, they’ll make it about everything else except the music.”

LOUNGE SINGER & makwil. - Shot By @quantompizza_

A while back a friend of mine asked me what a sample-based producer was, and I thought I’d ask you that same exact question. And would you consider yourself as one?

“I think you could put me down as a sample-based producer for sure. However, I also make things from scratch like the “Drizzl3” beat.”

“Before I got into sampling, I was messing with different sounds. As mentioned earlier, I bought a guitar even though I didn’t know how to play but I was still jamming every day. I was making stuff for myself, I think that’s the difference. I think a lot of people see the acclaim that rappers or artists get and try and bite it. They’ll do everything, they’ll dress the same way, and just basically do everything except focusing on the music.”

“And that’s why many fail. Unless you get a viral hit, you’re going to fall if there’s no substance behind it. You can’t stand on a foundation of nothing. But at the same time, there are two sides to that. Who am I to judge someone with aspirations?”

“At the end of the day, you can do whatever you want. In South Africa, not everyone has the same opportunities. So why not try and make the best out of a bad situation?”

So then listening to your music, I get a lot of Jazz and Soul references in your sampling. Why do you choose those sounds? Could I say it’s nostalgia?

“I think there’s definitely a bit of a nostalgia for the sound, perhaps the way that the audio was recorded. For example, me sampling from the 70’s when they only used analogue mixing decks and things like that.”

“There’s just a warmth to the sound; you can feel it. I do my tweaks, my adjustments, and I’m chopping shit up. Sound selection is very important.”

What do you love the most about creating music and doing what you do?

“I think the thing I love the most is the way it makes me feel when I’m doing it, not necessarily how people perceive it. It’s the way I feel when I’m creating something.”

“I’ve been doing this for years. I made a post the other day saying that it has been two years since I stopped hoarding my music. It’s been five years of making beats. I started because I wanted to rap on them. Master Kiii can confirm this. There’s a very rare recording of me rapping on the “Devil’s Son” instrumental by Big L. Never to be heard.”

“A couple of weeks ago we heard In2une drop his first tape with lyrics and it's all him. That shit is crazy! Especially the last song. The reason things like that exist is because we love the shit that we do. As producers, you might find yourself mumbling lyrics to find a space where a rapper would go on the beat.”

“Some people will make beats where there’s no space for a rapper. Then it’s just an instrumental. And that’s okay.”

Going from your safe space of making these beats to now finally performing it out there for the public to hear in live spaces, what does that feel like?

“For me, especially with venues like One Park, it’s great to hear things that I’ve worked on out loud. It’s on a whole different scale. I often make beats with headphones or speakers turned all the way up. It’s always loud, and I might have hearing damage.”

“Hearing music the way that it’s supposed to be played out loud with a crowd, with the sounds, and bass flowing through people, it’s fucking incredible. It’s just a different feeling to experience your own music in that way.”

“And then obviously the part that everyone loves is seeing the love that you get, it’s extra. Like I said, a lot of the reasoning and the motivation behind doing the things that we do is not necessarily for audience reactions. But when you do get love for the things that you do in its purest form, it’s like the best feeling ever.”

Cover Art For *“CARTWHEELS ON STEROIDS”*

After your releases with makwil., what was your experience like working with him?

“We met in a very organic way. Actually, at this venue where we’re doing this interview right now, Selective Live. makwil.’s work ethic is unmatched and it’s always a pleasure to work with him.”

“But yeah, I enjoy meeting people organically. In the past, I would’ve just reached out to people or have them reach out to me and then I’m just sending stuff. But I don’t like to do too much of that anymore because people in Cape Town can be shady. You can work with someone and then the next week you’ll find out that they did something.”

“You’ve got to protect your peace. There are certain things I don’t stand for. I generally keep to working with just friends or people I know personally. If we’ve met in person and I’ve had good conversations with you, I can get a feel for your character. This is very important to me. I feel like with makwil, there was an instant feeling of trust.”

“He was introduced to me by my friend and cinematographer, Mike, someone I hold to a very high standard. He put me onto makwil. He had previously shot a music video for his track “ISHU”. Run that track up! Mike definitely deserves credit for the makwil. & LOUNGE SINGER connection.”

“I’m not sure if he’ll like that I’m mentioning this in this interview, but makwil. and I have got an album coming soon. It’s been cooking. We’ve allowed ourselves time for some of the tracks to breathe. A lot of it was actually finished or close to completion before we even started dropping. We’ve been sitting on some for almost a year. We’re only allowing tracks with a certain quality to pass the release stage. That makwil demo notification on my texts never ceases to excite me.”

makwil. & LOUNGE SINGER - Shot By @quantompizza_ / Instagram

Through your experience as a creative in Cape Town, what’s been your opinion on the current creative landscape in the city and how do you see it growing?

“Cliche to say, but Cape Town is incredibly cliquey. I think the sad thing is that there is actually a space for everyone to do what they actually want to do. But, sometimes you might find that there are a select few people who like to gatekeep spaces.”

“Like I mentioned earlier, a lot of these people move shady. There are all these politics and things like that. At the end of the day, I think it’s best to continue doing what we do - creating our own spaces. Like you guys are doing with VERVE. You noticed a need and you met it. You can’t gatekeep yourself.”

“In terms of the Underground Hip Hop scene, I like the way it’s moving right now. It’s healthy. I don’t know if it’s fully stable, but it’s on its way there. Cape Town has also become a hub with lots of great artists migrating here, which I’m in full support of. Shoutout to Bloemfontein’s finest - Meccamind and Passionpanther. You gotta peep their shit!”

“On my side, I’m working to do whatever I can do. I’m only one person but I’ll do whatever I can do to help build the community. I’ve seen the different scenes that have been built in Cape Town over the years, since I was in High School. A lot of the time it just falls apart because of the drama and competition.”

“If you’re an artist and you meet another artist who’s good and you think that they might be better than you, competing with them and trying to be egotistical with them, that’s not working for anyone. It’s not healthy competition. It’s best to use your energy to further your own craft and develop your skills. You can both win (two can win - RIP J Dilla).”

“I just think there’s actually a space for everybody. If you can do whatever is in your power to make more space, then do it.”

“LOUNGE SINGER out!”

LOUNGE SINGER’s perspective on the world of music was a refreshing one for me to absorb. Unveiling the deeper meaning of the art of production, I fully understood why it’s so important to have this sort of understanding before conveying those thoughts through sound.

I absolutely enjoyed this chat I had with the brilliant-minded beatmaker. It made sense to me why I’ve always found his music so captivating. And he assured me that more work would be coming for us music lovers to lose ourselves in.

For now, check out his discography, available on multiple streaming platforms.

LOUNGE SINGER - The Voice Behind The Beats

Bvse & His Destined Path For Music