By Zuko Komisa
This week K.O dropped his new album called #PTYUnLTD and gave an exclusive performance of the music on Good Friday. The 13 track body of work features from the renowned musicians such as Wizkid, Ma-E, DJ Maphorisa, Nandi Madida, Sjava & Loki.
Early Influences
Following the performance, he briefly spoke about his journey in music and how he has had to constantly evolve his sound to capture the mood of the country. Over the years he’s looked at Jay Z, Prokid, Proverb, HHP as his muses, who all showed him what could be possible with the music.
Though a shy individual by nature, he has managed to capture my young people’s imagination with his love for music, K.O recalled a moment we spoke to his father after blowing up as with Teargas.
“I remember as a kid, whenever I would speak in front of the family, I would literally want to pee my pants. When we broke out as Teargas, my dad who was never very vocal about my interest in music suddenly said ‘I am actually quite shocked… you used to struggle as a kid, it used to frustrate me.”
Also Read:Samthing Soweto talks about Isphithiphithi, childhood & music
Breaking through as a solo artist
With this being his third solo album, he recalled how he wanted to take a different route when it comes to his music, digging deep to what made people dance.
“When I decide to take my music seriously, the first person that switched on my vernac was RIP Prokid, that’s the guy I moulded myself around, in terms of sharpening my penmanship.”
Listen to the full conversation here:
From Cara Cara to #PTYUnLTD
Inspired by Skwatta Kamp who taught him how to make hit songs, he went on to make the Skhanda Republic, a moment he says he tunnel-visioned his way to Kwaito music. An era that saw many artists follow suit, making music that resonates with many South Africans.
“I wanted to understand what made these guys so great… I never understood before why the Mzekezeke’s, and Brown Dash were doing multi-platinum records. I wanted to understand the formula they were using. When we made Cara Cara, I was fresh out of a school of studying the Kwaito school.”
#PtyUnLTd an album to get you through the day
K.O. says that as much as you many have gym music, #PtyUnLTd is an album you listen to at work, when you are hustling, trying to make a difference in society, or taking whatever you’re doing to the next level; this is the music to listen to.
“I wanted to make it in a way that you could play it from the first song till the last… it’s understanding that I am not making music for myself, but for people to jam to. With this album, I am selling a mood to the audience.”
