Speaking to Resident Advisor in 2017, Malaysian born producer Tzusing confessed, “I feel like I’m culturally appropriating my own culture because I don’t know it that well. It’s my background, but I’m getting it from [a] corny Hong Kong movie.” It’s the sort of sentiment that likely resonates with anyone
Bass / breaks / EMB / experimental / gabber / Gqom / industrial techno / Rave
The potential relationship between gqom and grime reveal significant similarities between the two styles, with both arising from Black, urban spaces and driven by the disillusionment of radical Black youth culture. These similarities have begun to be explored by pioneers of both genres, the recent collaboration between DJ Lag and
When South African gqom pioneer DJ Lag set out on his extensive and ongoing Alpha Zulu world tour, he promised that he’d also be using the trek to collaborate and release music with the artists he might meet along the way. “I want to blend genres and create new sounds
Omagoqa’s latest EP, an extension of last year’s Back To Ebombeni, is a reminder of the enduring power of the gqom genre in the face of the amapiano boom. The Durban-based trio, who have previously collaborated with the genre’s kingpin DJ Lag, are now the new keepers of the abrasive
London house music producer Bella Boo’s latest EP, Looney Talks, is a testament to her innate versatility and creativity. Best known for her ethereal approach to house music, Bella Boo takes a more contemporary, direct, and club-focused approach on this EP that speaks toward her knowledge of underground trends and
Afrobeat / AfroHouse / Amapiano / baile funk / balaeric house / dembow / Gqom / House / reggaeton
South African producer and gqom pioneer DJ Lag has embarked on an extensive world tour that will see him visit every continent over the next 10 months. The Alpha-Zulu (A-Z) World Tour “represents something that goes from start to finish and this tour is about performing, collaborating and recording on
Culture / DJ / events / Gqom / Live Music / music business / music news / Producer / world tour
This week, we have unhinged remixes and discotheque house from a synthpop icon. These are the tracks you need to know about. Follow our Roundup Selections playlist on Spotify to stay updated on what we have on repeat. Caroline Polachek, Charli XCX, George Daniel – Welcome To My Island
Bass / breaks and bass / bubblegum bass / Gqom / House / hyperpop / Remix / Synthpop
I’d like to begin this year with an introduction. Hi, my name is Tazmé Pillay. Editor of The Playground. If you’ve read most of the reviews and think pieces that we do here, chances are you’ve read most of my work. Coming into the end of last year, I knew
Welcome to November. We roundup our favourite releases of the week and first of the new month. Listen below. Follow our Roundup Selections playlist on Spotify to stay updated on what we have on repeat. Eartheater, DOSS – High Tide (DOSS Remix) Enigmatic producer DOSS adds her signature ‘doof
This week, we go from buzzy New Wave synthpop to firey gqom-dancehall hybrids as we roundup our favourite new releases. Listen below. Follow our Roundup Selections playlist on Spotify to stay updated on what we have on repeat. Ladytron – City Of Angels British Electropop outfit Ladytron are making
