Words by Sabelo Mkhabela

Speeka is a producer from Soweto. He has worked with big names in the kasi rap subgenre, like Siya Shezi, Chaka Dolla, MaseVen, among others. He released a 7-track EP called Organized Grime about a month ago, and it’s a gem. If you are into kasi rap, that’s fraught with personality, metaphors, similes and banging beats, it’s definitely for you.

Speeka is also a music junkie of note, he has released multiple beat-tapes and produces a YouTube series called the Sotra Cypher, which has more than 10 episodes now. Below, we chat to Speeka about the EP, Sotra Cypher, his thoughts on kasi rap, South African hip-hop in general and more. 

Who is Speeka?

I am a music producer, video editor/director, graphic designer, voice-over artist from Protea Glen, Soweto.

Please take us through your latest EP. How you picked the features, etc.

Organized Grime is a 7-track EP that features great talent from Soweto, namely; Infektist, MaseVen, Chaka Dolla, Darkie, Rev Tumza, Etcetera Inkunzi Emnyama, Theo Songstress, Soweto Tshepiso, Noks Matchbox, Sfilikwane, Mthizo, Jef, Rapid, Loux Artiste and Cbuu Clouds. Didn't really have a set way in which I picked the artists. All of them just kind of made sense for each song they were featured on.

Do you come up with the concepts yourself or you just give the beats to the artists and they do as they please? 

For this particular project, I came up with the concepts of the tracks. However, the concept for "Part Ya Mapantsula" was Mthizo's as the track was initially his. It was originally recorded back in 2011, but the files went missing. We re-recorded it for this project. Similar with "Ingozi". Infektist heard the beat and just ran with it.

Are you working on a full-length album? 

I'm working on a number of projects (EPs and mixtapes). All will be mentioned as time goes.

How has the response to the project been? 

It's been amazing! Not a single bad review from ANYONE. It's worrying me a bit, actually.

Organized Grime EP by SPeeKa

What song was the most memorable to make? Please let us know why. 

"Dear Rea..." dedicated to my daughter, which is the only song I rap on. I made the beat in March 2016 and only wrote and recorded it in September 2016. When I made the beat, all I had was the last line of my verse. Then one September evening after a telephonic conversation with my daughter (the same one heard in the song) I wrote and recorded it. It took me about 50 takes (laughs). I am not a recording artist, but I tried. It was a dope experience.

Do you think kasi rap is dead?

I don't think it's dead. As long as artists like the ones I worked with on my EP keep making music, it'll stay alive.

Please tell us about the Sotra Cypher series. 

It came about during a recording session for MaseVen's "Havoc Reloaded" album. All the artists that were in studio that day (Zwes Tornado, Big Zulu, Anzo and NubianQueen Masisi) were to be featured on songs for his project. During a break in recording I randomly, without thinking, asked to take a video of the guys spitting random bars and they agreed. I didn't really have a plan. The next morning I was sitting with the footage I had taken and thought maybe I could do this every month. I came up with the title "Sotra Cyphers" while busy editing it (and designed the logo at the same time). The rest, well, we're on part 10 now... and counting. I enjoy it so much/

What's your production setup like?

Pretty simple: PC, sound card, midi keyboard, monitors. That's all.

What's your dream setup? 

Never really thought about it (which is bad, I know haha) I guess I'm too focused on "the now". But I'll hit the YouTube streets and find out what would be dope. I need to up my tech IQ.

What are the challenges of making music in Soweto? 

Biggest challenge would have to be getting paying customers, I guess. Maybe I need an agent or manager or what-what.

What would you like to achieve in the long run as a producer?

It would be pretty dope to live solely from making music. Also, to show those kids whose parents tell them to quit with the "noise" and get a "real" job that it's possible to live off your craft.

What are your thoughts on SA hip hop at the moment?

Bigger than it's ever been. It's beautiful.

You are a music junkie of note. Please give us your top 5 favorite SA hip-hop tracks of all time.

Let me see...

The list probably changes every week, but number 1 remains the same. Hands down.

Do you have anything you'd like to share that I didn't ask you about? 

Can't think of anything right now, but to quote Nas, "Save the music, y'all..."

Grab a copy of Organized Crime on iTunes and Bandcamp.

@SpeekaRSA