Music can be said to have made a significant impact in everyone’s lives at some point or another. It provides a soundtrack to our lives in such a way that it captures our emotions in a time capsule of sorts. We can all think back to significant moments in our lives and there was most likely a song or genre that resonates that particular period.
As a result of the diversity, different genres appeal to different people. One may be influenced heavily by one particular artist or band or have a wide range of music as a point of reference and as a result of the mix of influences, each individual is defined by their own crucible of musical taste.
This week we have a musical guest featured on The Quadrant: Tsukudu Moroeng.
Basics [age, studies, and hometown]
20. Law Student. Johannesburg
Tsukudu tell us who you are and what you represent, both personally and musically?
Among many things I’m a person who is always trying to musically push boundaries and search deeper to unveil things that haven’t been heard before. I’m like a crazy music scientist who hopes to conjure something EXTRAordinary.
How did you get started with your music?
My first encounter with music was when I was a baby, around the age of 18 months or so. Whenever my mother would be cooking or cleaning and my dad was at work, I used to cry because I used to sit there with nothing to do, so my mother would sit me down in front of the TV and she would put on a music channel. Worked quite the remedy because I would sit there quiet for hours [laughs] I then stayed in a house where all my family lived, uncles, aunts, cousins you name it and music would be bumping all day ERRDAY [laughs]. I was surrounded with music all my life, In terms of me actually working with music, I would say late primary school early high school when I was involved in a number of choirs, learning music from a very classical background.
Who have been your greatest influences?
Wow. I could go on. Bobby McFerrin, Chick Corea, Dalene Hoogenout, Nicholas Harrison, Hit-Boy, Key Wane, Mozart (Intrigues by his brilliance really), Dr Dre. Timbaland, Danja, Scott Storch, Kendrick Lamar, J Cole. Mduduzi Ntshingila has been one of my biggest influences to date. Man oh man, I’ll go on forever.
What does music mean to you?
What oxygen means to humans. Without it... well you know the answer to that.
Do you consider yourself a creative person, if so would you ever consider expressing yourself in ways that are not directly related to music such as art for instance?
I do yes. I was a huge drama student in high school, actually had a huge passion for it alongside music but died out because I had no platform to continue. So yes, acting.
Which musicians or artists do you look up to and why?
Again, I could go on, but to name a few: Musical virtuoso Bobby McFerrin, I can never understand how a human can be capable of creating and expressing music like he does. He’s musical vocabulary is absolutely incredible, singing, composing, scatting, improvisation. Brilliant. Kendrick Lamar, its pretty self explanatory but what gets me is his humbleness and his passion to rep where he comes from and his rapping, he’s probably the Einstein of rap in my eyes. Hit-Boy: the person that motivated me to take producing seriously. Timbaland: His musicality and craft is flawless, it’s really something that comes with decades of work.
How has it been working w/ us and creating The Quadrant?
It’s been good, I really like where they are going with what you are doing and just excited to see you flourish. It’s just the beginning.
Do you have any tips when it comes to producing or rapping?
Practice. Longevity. Don’t get into it for the wrong reasons.
Do you think there should be a distinction between rapping and producing?
There is. The two are very distinct are a far from alike, although they both consist of a creative process. The approaches to the two are very different and the outcomes are different too. Producing especially is NOT beat making. Producing is composing, editing, fixing. Producing is done before, during and after the rapper has laid their verses and often, execution of the verse is part of producing. Basically, the beat is the flour to the cake, the first steps. Producing is what you hear at the end of everything: the cake itself. Hope I made sense here [laughs]. Rapping is a craft in itself. Building the verses, placing metaphors, rhyming schemes altogether while trying to portray a message and tell a story. [They are] two different entities in their own respect.
Take us through the process of creating a song from start to finish, what exactly goes into that process?
There are many ways in which a song is made and there is not necessarily a textbook process of song making, but one basic example goes like so [laughs]. Concept: Think about what the song is about and what message you are trying to send. Instrumental/Beat: this is composed and sent to the artist or used by the composer himself. Lyrics: written to the instrumental about the particular concept. Recording: lyrics and ad libs are recorded to the instrumental. Mixing: all the instruments and voices are mixed correctly and effects and so on are added at this point. Mastering: once all the levels are done the song gets mastered so it’s ready for radio play etc. One good quality song can take months to clear, mostly because the mixing and mastering process takes time.
What do you hope to gain from making music?
I really would love people to find music more than sound waves travelling into their ears which are what I’m hoping to do, to reach as much people as I can to show them that it’s more than that. One line in a song can mean so much more than you think if it’s looked deeper into, most importantly; the music itself. I’d really like for people to appreciate the beauty of it, but most of all, music is my life, making it and listening to it is what moves me day to day. It’s the nutrition to my soul, so I’m gaining quite a bit from it [laughs].
How has being at Rhodes influenced the kind of music you make?
The people at Rhodes have inspired a lot of the music that I make and how I perform. Criticism is like the petrol and the kind of music I make is the car. The more ‘crit’ I get, the more I can put into my music.
Do you think local campus radio stations provide a platform for artists here in Grahamstown?
Nope.
Are there events specifically catered for artists and musicians that can showcase their talents here, do you think?
Yes, oldies and champs are forever hosting these things. Respect to that.
Do you do shows and performances, if so what is the best part of being on stage for you?
YES. The crowd. Saying your lyrics, screams, seeing them have a good time. It is amazing.
Where can people hear your music?
[I] haven’t put anything up for one reason... (evil laugh) can’t wait to show you all ...
What kind of impact would you like to make on the South African music scene?
I’d like to show that we don’t need to depend on American music and allow ourselves as South African musicians to put ourselves on the world map, and sound like us, not them.
Which artist would you most like to work with both internationally and locally?
Internationally: Kendrick Lamar and Hit-Boy. Locally: Tumi and Bra Hugh!
[please attach links for the songs you have featured on and produced].
I urge people to follow me on twitter... (Another hint, nearly giving it away)
Thanks Tsuki, all the best.
FB: Tsukudu Moroeng
Twitter: @Tsukudu
Interview by Owethu Makhathini.
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