South African producer Academic Deep, born Okopilwe Gaedie, continues to carve his path within the country’s house scene with a sound rooted in emotion and storytelling.
Photo credit: Academic Deep – Official
Raised in Mabopane, Pretoria, he was introduced to DJing at 11 years old and later shared the stage with artists such as TimADeep, ExteC, and SoulBee.
Over the years, his work has earned recognition, including being named among Deep House News’ top 10 remixers of 2021. Now aligned with Vibe Me To The Moon, Academic Deep is focused on expanding his reach while refining a sound shaped by local culture and personal experience. His latest release, ‘Sunset Love’, captures this direction with a focus on introspection and connection.
In this conversation, Academic Deep opens up about his creative process, influences, and the ideas behind his latest EP.
EG: Hi, Academic Deep! Welcome to EG. You’re based in South Africa, where deep house has a uniquely rich and soulful identity. How did growing up in that scene shape your sound and approach to production?
Academic Deep: Thanks for the invite. Growing up in South Africa, I was surrounded by a deep house sound that’s very soulful, emotional, and rooted in real feeling. That naturally shaped my approach; I focus a lot on mood, warmth, and storytelling through my music.
EG: How did your connection with Vibe Me To The Moon first come about? And now that you’re part of the label, do you have any favorite releases or tracks from the catalog?
Academic Deep: I got a DM from the label. And I was so surprised that such a big label had checked out my stuff. And the rest is history. My favourite is from Frank Roger. I love his work, and I’m looking forward to the label hooking me up with a collaboration with him!
EG: Let’s talk about your new release, the ‘Sunset Love’ EP. It has a really warm, emotive feel to it — what was the mood or moment you were trying to capture across these tracks?
Academic Deep: With ‘Sunset Love’, I was really trying to capture a calm, intimate moment, like watching the sun go down while reflecting on love, memories, and emotions. It’s that warm, peaceful feeling where everything slows down and you just connect with yourself. Across the tracks, I wanted the music to feel comforting and honest, something people can escape into, whether they’re in love, healing, or just taking in a quiet moment.
EG: The title track ‘Sunset Love’ feels very soft and reflective, while ‘Encore’ carries a brighter kind of energy. How do these two cuts relate to each other in your mind?
Academic Deep: ‘Sunset Love’ is more reflective and emotional; it’s that quiet moment of feeling and understanding love on a deeper level. Then ‘Encore’ comes in with a brighter energy, almost like a continuation of that feeling, where there’s a sense of joy, release, and celebration. So they connect as a journey starting from a calm, introspective space and moving into something more uplifting, but still rooted in the same emotion.
“it’s all about feeling and allowing the music to unfold on its own rather than forcing a structure”
EG: South African house music often carries a strong sense of rhythm, spirituality, and community. How do those elements show up in your music, consciously or subconsciously?
Academic Deep: Those elements come very naturally to me; it’s part of how I experience and create music. Rhythm is always at the core of my sound, from the drums to the groove, because that’s what connects people on the dancefloor. The spiritual side comes through in the emotions and melodies I choose. I like to create music that feels healing and meaningful, not just something to dance to.
And the sense of community shows up in the intention behind the music. I make songs that people can share, feel together, and connect through, whether it’s in a live set or just listening personally.
EG: Looking back at your journey, what were some key moments or breakthroughs that helped define your path as an artist?
Academic Deep: Getting meaningful exposure and recognition played a big role in shaping my journey; it gave me the confidence to push harder and stay consistent with my craft. Those moments reminded me that my sound connects with people and that I’m on the right path.
I’m still building and evolving, but I truly believe in my potential and the vision I have. I’m committed to growing into one of the greatest, step by step.
EG: You’ve released music across various labels over time, such as Sculptured Music, InQFive, and Deep House South Africa. Which label affiliations have been most meaningful to you, and have they influenced your growth as an artist?
Academic Deep: Each label I’ve worked with has played an important role in my growth, and I’m grateful for every opportunity they’ve given me. At the same time, I believe the true impact comes from how the music connects with the listeners; it’s the response from the people that really drives everything.
That said, big shoutout to all the labels that have supported and pushed my sound. A special thank you to InQFive Music for consistently believing in me and helping elevate my journey.
EG: When you sit down to produce, what does your creative process look like? Do you start with drums, chords, a feeling… or something else entirely?
Academic Deep: Honestly, I don’t really plan my creative process. I like to let the music guide me naturally because sometimes what I intend to create can take a completely different direction along the way. I might start with chords, and before I know it, the idea evolves into something unexpected, sometimes even outside of house, like R&B or other styles. So for me, it’s all about feeling and allowing the music to unfold on its own rather than forcing a structure.
“I like to create music that feels healing and meaningful, not just something to dance to”
EG: What gear or software are you currently using in your studio? Has your setup evolved a lot over the years?
Academic Deep: I’m fortunate to have a setup that really inspires me. I’ve always been an FL Studio guy, though I’m comfortable working in other DAWs as well. Over the years, my setup has evolved to match my workflow and the sounds I want to create, helping me bring my ideas to life more efficiently and creatively.
EG: Outside of music, what inspires you creatively? Are there specific environments, experiences, or even non-musical influences that shape your sound?
Academic Deep: Outside of music, a lot of my creativity comes from the environments and experiences I’m part of every day. I work full-time in sales at a recording company, and I’m also an event manager handling digital LED screens. On top of that, I spend time at a vinyl store, surrounded by music history and culture. All of these experiences feed into my sound, giving me different perspectives and inspiration that I can bring into my productions.
EG: As deep house continues to evolve globally, where do you see your sound heading next… and what can we expect from you after ‘Sunset Love’?
Academic Deep: As deep house continues to evolve, I see my sound exploring even more emotion and depth, blending soulful melodies with rhythms that move both the body and the mind. After ‘Sunset Love’, you can expect me to keep pushing boundaries while staying true to the warmth and healing energy that defines my music.
Academic Deep’s ‘Sunset Love’ EP is out now on Vibe Me To The Moon. Stream and download here.
Follow Academic Deep: Spotify | Soundcloud | Instagram
