Dale Johnson releases a new single after his return from a music break

CAPE Town musician Dale Johnson has dropped his debut single, Don’t Know Me, featuring Chaise Williams and Shaney Jay.

Johnson told Independent Media that he is back with a bang after taking time out to focus on his business.

The 32-year-old rapper began his career as a DJ at 15, but a serious motorbike accident at 18 led him to pivot into music production.

Over the years he has worked with some of South Africa’s most popular musicians.

Johnson said: “After many years in the industry and investing in others and their music, I reached a point of starting my own family and focusing on my personal life outside of music.

Referring to seven years ago, he explained: “At this point I discovered that the money wasn’t really consistent in music at the time.

“My daughter was born and I needed a proper income, I then stopped making music and started a business.

“I decided to wait until I was more successful to come back to music and fund my own passion as opposed to waiting for a record label and that’s why I came back. I’m funding everything myself, and I can do what I love while taking care of my business and my family as well.”

Despite his success in the business world, Johnson has decided to return to his roots in the music industry with his first single, produced by Shaney Jay.

“In a nutshell, Don’t Know Me is a very honest song about people undermining you and thinking they’re better than you, especially these so-called celebs, but in reality I’m doing so much better than them,” he said.

The single is available on all digital music platforms and is receiving air play on radio stations, including Eldos FM, Jozi FM and Bush Radio.