Q&A with music producer Toya Delazy
East London’s South African MC, Toya Delazy, drops a new single “Qhawe”, meaning “be strong warrior” in Zulu. The bass-filled floor-filler carries a powerful message to stand your ground in the face of adversity.
‘Qhawe’ is the latest track in a new genre visionary artist Delazy is pioneering dubbed “Afro-Rave,” ahead of her album dropping Summer 2020. As African sounds take over the global stage in exciting fusions with Western staples, Delazy unleashes rapid, sharp Zulu vocals over fiery British bassline bursts, courtesy of UK producers Raf Riley and Hen.
See our exclusive interview with her below:
Singing with my grandpa!
At what point in your life did you have that moment where you said to yourself “This is it. This is the type of music I want to create?”
When making music comforted me and paid me , I realise I could live through it.
Please list some of the most influential albums on your creative outlook and output:
Lauren Hill – Miseducation / Eminem – The Eminem Show/ Vivaldi – Four Seasons/ Brenda Fassi – Thola Amadlozi/ Nirvana – Nevermind /Tupac – Hall of Fame / Fela Kuti – Teacher Don’t Teach Me Nonsense / Flume – Flume.
What key pieces of gear/software are you using to define your sound?
Maschine MK2 by Native instrument, Cubase, soundcard, Laptop, Mini Nova synth.
What inspires you outside of music? What do you turn to when the creative well runs a little low?
Travelling, sports, skating, programming, playing Xbox and reading a book – one of those works.
What is your opinion on the ever spreading sub-genre vine? Are there too many? Do you think there’ s perhaps a sub-genre that doesn’t get the attention it deserves?
First time hearing of it – will check it out but if it’s spreading then it’s commercial friendly. The sub-genre y’all should check out is my new iddie biddie genre, Afro-rave – issa vibe!
Studio work and music creation or performing and interacting with a live audience, what do you prefer?
Performing is awesome! I love interacting with people
As a music artist, it becomes apparent that there is a huge difference between the art and the business. Is there anything about the music scene that you would personally change?
It’s not as much about talent anymore but the “machines”, a battle of machines and we the artists become casualties of that power struggle, I just want to make music and not be in a deal that sucks me dry and spits me out. We need to find a way to work together symbiotically where the energy and art are not disembowelled by the business mentality – businesses and artist must find the balance in the chaos.
Any new or upcoming artists on your radar? Who shouldn’t the world sleep on?
Parsley Palette
What can we expect from you in the near future? Any upcoming projects or gigs in the pipeline that you would like to tell us about?
Eldorado festival in Bristol scheduled for July
Famous last words?
Kuthi!
