NEW House Afrika artist, Kaylow (pictured), says he does not like limiting himself to house music because, essentially, he is a singer. However, he is the first artist to be signed exclusively to this legendary label, and house music it certainly is.
“The album is a building block,” he says assertively as he plans to be around for quite a while.
On the initial listen, one can hear that his voice is a cut above the rest. House vocalists can be quite cold when they sing. As long as it’s pretty, emotion is unnecessary. However, Kaylow’s vocals are charged with emotion.
“I am an emotional being,” he admits. “I was raised by three women. When I write I have to feel. Plus, soul music is where I started out, with bands like The Manhattans. I learnt from them that you have to be one with your art.”
The Sowetan musician now lives in Potchefstroom, but has notched up an impressive CV just before the release of his debut album, Nothing Better.
He has worked with Nastee Nev, Black Coffee and Rocco among others.
“I never wanted to do music initially. I saw soul leave music a long time ago. What I am seeing people conform to is not what I wanted until I met Tim White who owns House Afrika.
“I lost my mother and I went a bit crazy so my aunt gave me an option of Potch and I love it. It is so calm there. Sometimes you need to start again.”
He seems, however, to have music in his destiny. His mother was friends with the Kalawa Jazmee crew so he grew up around musicians, and some of the best this country has to offer.
One of his career highlights was when he was performing and HHP, whom he had never met, came on stage and asked if he could freestyle on one of his tracks.
White saw him perform and approached him after the show.
“He really enjoyed me and offered me a contract. I chose to do deep house because other house genres are noisy. Plus, Vinny da Vinci, who is a co-owner at House Afrika, has always been an icon. I’m so humbled to be on this label. I once told my friend that if I was going to do house music, it would be with House Afrika and Sony.”