In celebration of his new album, The 4th Republic, Apple Music today announced prolific producer and house DJ Prince Kaybee as the next Isgubhucover star. Prince Kaylee’s takeover of the playlist includes a premier selection of dance music from all over Africa with homegrown talent Black Motion, Caiiro, Sculptured Music and Chymamusique, as well as Nigerian artists Olamide and Niniola amongst a host of others.
“It is an honour to be featured as this month’s Isgubhu hero artist, especially considering that the playlist represents the culture of house music.” - Prince Kaybee
Launched last month, Isgubhu is the definitive home of African Dance and Electronic music on Apple Music and spotlights and elevates the work of African Electronic DJs, producers and creatives. Isgubhu, a Zulu word meaning beat and used to refer to a banging song, pays homage to an evergreen set of genres and the African artists who have played a pivotal role in shaping the Dance and Electronic scene across the world.
Taking over Isgubhu By… this month is DJ, radio presenter and label owner, Kid Fonque, in celebration of his new album with UK DJ and longtime collaborator, Jonny Miller, Connected.
“Here are my 16 electronic picks from South Africa's forward thinking producers, rappers & singers. These records have stood out to me over the past 20 years, albums that have and will continue to shape the South African underground electronic scene,” said Kid Fonque.
#Isgubhu also houses a collection of playlists including Spotlight On - a focus on boutique labels like Soul Candi, House Afrika, Stay True Sounds and Uganda’s Hakuna Kulala & Nyege Nyege Tapes and Isgubhu Voices - a focus on the best Dance and Electronic tracks that feature vocals.
Listen to Isgubhu only on Apple Music http://apple.co/Isgubhu
Prince Kaybee on being a producer and DJ
“Balancing between being a producer and a DJ, I think you do need other people's music. For me, it goes way deeper than just playing my own music. Like I said, it inspires me a lot for me to hear things I don't know in other people's songs, critically. So, I literally go back to my template and try and see where I can improve myself.”
Prince Kaybee on working with Nokwazi on “Ebabayo”
“One of the things that I really do and give people, especially someone I'm going to collaborate with, is a lot of room to express themselves, as much room as possible. Because I think on the song, if you listen to the instrumental, it doesn't really give you a happy party mood. It's a very sad song, sad strings, very emotional song. And I think Nokwazi with the gimmicks and the hook, she came up to try and live up the song, give it some life.”
Prince Kaybee on his reasons for setting up ‘Project Hope’
Prince Kaybee: “ ‘Project Hope’ is solely attracting women. And I feel like from the top of my head, especially in South Africa, if someone asked me who is the top female artist, I literally have to think about it, which is a problem, you know?”
Cuppy: “100%.”
Prince Kaybee: “Yeah. I must just be able to call it out. Yeah.”
Cuppy: “You're right.”
Prince Kaybee: “If I have to think about it, simply means we have a problem. So we're trying to change that narrative and give people more female art. And I feel like women are more... Well, according to me, in my experience, I feel like women are more committed than men in anything. It's just that they need more-“
Cuppy: “Yes, Prince. Tell them.”
Prince Kaybee: “…more exposure. Yeah.”
Prince Kaybee on why ‘The 4th Republic’ is dedicated to his fans
“I dedicated this whole album to my fans because it's my fourth and they have been very engaging as to what kind of sound they think would suit me better and all those things. I know you kind of listen to everyone, but the hints were there and I took some ideas and got inspired by my fans. So I decided to dedicate this whole album to them so that we can have a conversation with the music.”
LISTEN TO PRINCE KAYBEE ON #AFRICANOWRADIO WITH #CUPPY
