Music
Cape Town's gqom DJ and producer shares the process of his upcoming EP
Hailing from Nyanga East, Aux Womdantso has been making a name for himself as one of the countries leading gqom DJs and producers. Having played along side the likes of Black Coffee, AKA, DJ Fresh and Distruction Boyz as well as performed at notable events including Boiler Room he has returned to studio to work on an upcoming EP. We chatted with him about getting his start in music, discovering gqom, starting production and what he's been working on at the Red Bull Studios Cape Town.
What kind of music was playing at home growing up?
I grew up in Nyanga with my mom and my grandparents. I grew up listening to soul, Manhattans and George Benson and some gospel.
What were you drawn to when you discovered music for yourself?
It was hip hop. I actually wanted to be a rapper but figured it wouldn’t work for me. Then deep house, commercial house. Then at a later stage, I changed to gqom. The funny thing while I wanted to be a DJ I was in the choir with a friend. We were fooling around at the back not paying attention to what the choir conductor was saying, he saw us, called us and told us to sit down. We asked him why we were taken out and he said it’s because we can’t sing. My friend was really disappointed by that and said to me let’s be DJs and prove our love for music. We started with a CD Walkman and a DVD player. We used to buy CDs and record cassettes.
When did you discover gqom and start playing that?
It was in 2013. I started DJing in 2007. When it came to Cape Town I fell in love with the sound.
When did you start producing?
I started recently. I went to a short course at SAE in 2018. So I’m still new in production, but I also get help from my peers.
Why did you decide to take the leap into production?
When you’re a DJ it limits you because you can’t get airplay with a mixtape. You have to have a song playing on radio to get booked and get noticed. That’s why I started producing. So people can get to know the brand of Aux Womdantso, what he is capable of and his style of music.
Do you have a trademark sound?
The signature is my producer tag. And also the basslines, they’re groovy.
What have you been working on in studio?
I was working on a six-track EP. It features TDK Macasette & DJ Lag. I haven’t thought of the name for the EP yet or even the songs. Three songs are for the radio and three are for the underground scene.
What has been a memorable crowd reaction to your music?
I was playing on Long Street and after I played people clapped. That really made me happy. Also just seeing people dancing on the dance floor. That’s the one.
.png)
