Museeq IQ: My name is synonymous with dance

Museeq IQ. Picture: Facebook

Museeq IQ. Picture: Facebook

Published Mar 22, 2018

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From humble days of making waves on DJ Sndara song Lalala eight years ago, to releasing his own album, Museeq IQ says he is focused on the price.

The 35-year-old from KZN, real name Siphiwe Khumalo, says he has positioned himself to making a lasting mark in the music industry. 

His decision to quit his good paying job to concentrate fully on music was inspired by his father's passion for music. His name now has become synonymous with dance music and that what he offer in his latest debut album 'The music Vault 8.0'.

“The core inspiration of the album is doing what I love, talking about love, talking about my experiences with relationships, and my friend's experiences. And mostly it is influenced by the sounds I heard growing up at home because my dad was a huge collector of music. So I tried to reflect that in my sound and in my presentation of the album, says Museeq IQ . 

“My name became synonymous with dance. So in a way, house music became a vehicle for me to sell,” he adds. 

As a songwriter, Museeq IQ has worked with industry heavy weights Zakes Bantwini.

“I wrote songs for them in exchange they promised me a feature whenever I was ready and with good chemistry, we just moved forward with it,” he says. 

He describes his three years in the music scene as God-led. “God has been in control, because not for one day have I been left wandering, not knowing what I was going to do. Two days after I left my formal job, I got to work for DJ Tira for two years after he heard my music.

“I’ve been able to learn about the industry at a very fast pace and high level of exposure to things. Through Tira and the rest of the guys I've been exposed to.  

Tira came up top on his list of motivation as he is a hard working man. “I think he is one of the most underrated artists in terms of hard work he does.  He gets up very early and sleeps late at night doing what he loves, so I admire people like that. 

“DJ Black Coffee, who is also a friend, has helped me with the transition from full time work to full time musician. His advice has helped me a lot and has mentored me through the process,” he says. 

His current single Brand New, is sampled from Philadelphia soul group, The Stylistics, music his father played a lot while he was growing up. 

“So for me it was paying homage to my dad and saying ' ey tymer, listen to what I did to what we grew up to’. It is a quite a special song,’ he explains. 

His album features 15 tracks, including a remixed version of Lalala. 

AmandaMaliba

IOL

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