DJ Muzi, the Empangeni-born singer, songwriter and producer chats to us about his mind-blowing sound
Afropunk Paris was awesome. It was my first time performing in Paris, and my second time in France. I always get excited performing for new audiences — I even jumped into the crowd. I first met Coldplay’s Chris Martin at the Global Citizen Festival
but we never spoke. When I got off stage in Paris, he was backstage waiting for me. It was a memorable moment because he’s such a warm person. He told me he likes what I do and is a fan. I hope to work on an incredible project with him.
I always have ideas or a melody so I create a lot of music. I like following a feeling or energy more than a genre — hence, I can draw inspiration from any place. I listen to any music — from Brenda Fassie to Coldplay and Linkin Park. This is the same when I create my own music, I just go with what makes me feel alive.
I want to move people. I make genre-fluid modern African music. I essentially make dance music because I like to see people dance. I remember the first time I came to Joburg at the age of 19.
Everyone who listened to my music went, ‘Yini le? It’s too international’. People misunderstood my music, but I stuck to my guns. I moved to Berlin because I felt misunderstood in South Africa.
Berlin felt like the perfect place for me to grow, learn and then bring something back home. So far, my doubts have mostly been about topping what I’ve done
before — not seeking validation from the outside. I make music for other ‘weirdos’ like myself. Those are the people I’m focusing on. I’m working on an album to be released soon. It features stars such as Sjava and Sun-EL Musician. I feel they’re doing something authentic and dope in music. I love working with fresh talent. – SL