South African native THEMBA is certainly making a name for himself, having burst onto the global dance scene in 2018 with a string of high-profile gigs & music releases. His sound is forged from his African roots, incorporating local singers, songwriters, and percussionists to create his own unique & distinct take on house & techno.
EG caught up with THEMBA to learn more about his North & South American dates, his responsibility as an ambassador for Afro House, opportunities in Africa, and more.
EG: Hi THEMBA! Welcome to EG. It’s a pleasure to have you here with us. Where are you based right now?
THEMBA: Thanks for the invite. I live in Johannesburg, South Africa. It’s Summer here, so I’m based here until the European summer.
EG: So, what has your summer been like? Any particular highlights?
THEMBA: Summer 2022 was insane for me. Larger and bigger than all my expectations. My biggest highlight was the number of new territories and places that music took me to.
EG: You recently visited North and South America with dates in the USA, Dominican Republic, and Venezuela with Black Coffee. How was the tour?
THEMBA: The one thing I love is going to new places and exploring the cultures and learning about the people. I love doing this and it’s even more fun when I do it with friends.
EG: Since how long you and Black Coffee know each other? Can you tell us how your friendship started?
THEMBA: I don’t even remember how long it’s been, but we met through music in South Africa and became friends through that, and it’s developed into a brotherhood. I think it was 2005 that we met, but it’s been a very long time.
“The one thing I love is going to new places and exploring the cultures and learning about the people. I love doing this and it’s even more fun when I do it with friends”
EG: The Afro-house genre is a phenomenon that has become globally known. As one of the leading artists in the scene, how do you feel about this achievement?
THEMBA: I’m very humbled by all the feedback and the amazing things people say and the compliments, but the more I hear the more I realize how much hard work has to happen because I do this to inspire other African kids and to open doors for people from where I come from.
EG: In 2021 you produced your album titled ‘Modern Africa’ released via Armada Music. Where it was recorded and what’s the concept behind it?
THEMBA: The album was recorded between Johannesburg and Ibiza. I was very inspired by the sounds of Ibiza, especially the chilled stuff, and wanted to bring my childhood African influences to life in the modern day, but inspired by the world I see while on my international travels. So the whole album is deeply African but inspired by the world.
EG: Congratulation as you recently finished your first Ibiza residency, ‘Colours’, celebrated every Wednesday at Club Chinois, and including special guests such as Andhim, Nic Fanciulli, Chus, Dubfire, Floyd Lavine, and Angelos, among many others. Can you describe how the experience was?
THEMBA: The experience was a dream come true. It was also one of the toughest experiences of my life because of what it takes to successfully hold down a residency. I’m so glad I did it because I learned so much and grew so much as an artist, DJ, human, and whatever else it takes to hold down a residency.
EG: What are your thoughts on the current state of the global scene? What would you like to see more and less of?
THEMBA: I think the only thing that sucks about the scene is that it’s fast becoming inaccessible to people of certain economic classes because it’s expensive to come to a club or a show. It’s all about tables now, and I think there needs to be a balance of some sort, so music can continue to do what it does, which is unite us.
“The experience was a dream come true. It was also one of the toughest experiences of my life”
EG: What’s next for THEMBA? What particular milestones are you looking forward to now?
THEMBA: I want to make more music and complete my second album. Then, I want to do a series of THEMBA shows around the world that are curated by me.
EG: Thank you so much for your time, THEMBA! We wish you all the best for the future.
THEMBA: Thank you for having me on your platform.
THEMBA’s ‘Heritage’ EP is out now via Armada Music. Purchase your copy here.
Follow THEMBA: Facebook | SoundCloud | Instagram | Spotify
