SA: Apple Music features DJ Lag as Isgubhu cover star

Isgubhu is a hub of African dance and electronic music on Apple Music. It features and elevates the work of African electronic DJs, producers and creatives, and pays homage to an evergreen set of genres and the African artists who have played a pivotal role in shaping the dance and electronic scene around the world.

The announcement coincides with the release of DJ Lag’s album Meeting With The King. The 15-track collection highlights the producer’s signature style and his flair for experimentation – this time with slower-paced compositions exemplified by ‘iKhehla’ featuring Babes Wodumo and Mampintsha. Other collaborators on the album include Amanda Black, Sinjin Hawke, Lady Du, Omagoqa, K.C Driller, Loki, Mr JazziQ and Mpura, among others.

“I’m excited and honoured to have been chosen to be part of Apple Music’s Isgubhu, especially so close to my album release,” DJ Lag said. “African dance music has grown and every month I discover new artists and sounds through these playlists.

“As a continent we have so much to offer to dance floors around the world, and South Africa specifically is a major player through our consistency of Afro-house and Afro-tech releases and pioneering genres such amapiano, and of course, gqom.”

As part of the campaign, DJ Lag has curated an exclusive Isgubhu playlist featuring artists and tracks that showcase the diverse range of electronic talent in South Africa.

“My Isgubhu playlist is a mixture of my experiences and inspirations in the making of my album Meeting With The King – from listening to DJ Tira, when I first started creating my own gqom beats, to listening to Aymos the day I submitted my album. When I started compiling the tracks, I just reached for special moments in my music journey and the soundtrack of those moments.

“I am extremely proud to be part of the South African music scene. We have done an amazing job in creating sub-genres that are celebrated on dance floors across the world and to keep ahead of the trends.”

Taking over Isgubhu By… for the month of March is Kasango, a Free State-born house music producer and DJ. Forming a deep love for house music during his teenage years, Kasango’s debut single ‘One Night’ featuring Jamie Fallon Smith earned him the support of Black Coffee, Shimza, Culoe De Song and Zakes Bantwini.

He went on to collaborate with Zakes Bantwini on the worldwide hit ‘Osama’, which charted for 14 weeks on local radio stations. Kasango’s single ‘Closer’ was named as one of Mixmag’s best songs of 2021, and in January 2022 he was selected as part of DJ Mag’s Ones to Watch.

“African dance music has always been a part of our culture, and one of the things that brings joy to my heart is that the world is ready to recognise all of the talented acts coming out of Africa, who are ready to take up space in the world,” Kasango said.

“We have a plethora of amazing acts who are exporting the sound all over. As a nation, electronic music has always been with us from back in the days when Soul Candi used to drop compilations. It’s a sound that will never die but only grow with new heroes sharing their stories to the world.”