DJ Quest takes control

Langalakhe Mabena
South Africa-based Electronic Dance Music (EDM) producer and wheel spinner DJ Quest, real name Ali Phiri, has introduced himself with a banger of a hit titled Take Control.

Released late last week, the music video of the single features South Africa’s successful DJs from Shimza, the legendary DJ Fresh, Zan D, multi-award winning muso Samthing Soweto and retired comedian TolAssMo.

From his base in Johannesburg, the Mzilikazi-bred producer revealed that the offering was a ground breaking project where he stamps authority and control in the African music scene.

“This is my first project from my upcoming album which is still in the oven and the release of both the single and the video is a way of saying I am switching things up and taking control of the game,” said DJ Quest.

He revealed that his parents inspired him to produce music particularly EDM.

“My parents were big fans of soul and love ballads. So growing up I would lend an ear on their choice of music and I fell in love with it (soulful music).

“I grew up eKasi (Mzilikazi) and there were no resources to produce music. However, at Mzilikazi High I had a friend who owned a computer so he allowed me to use it in learning to produce music and that changed my life as I realised the potential I had,” said DJ Quest.

EDM is much appreciated in Western nations because of its infectious melodies and a hard-hitting bass. DJ Quest said he wanted to popularise the genre in Africa and cover the gap between Africa and the Western world.

“EDM has always been in my heart even though I grew up listening to different musical genres. I found EDM more universal, so I believe by popularising it in Africa it can unite people because music is collective, they will always dance to it no matter which part of the world they are coming from,” said DJ Quest.

With so much passion for producing music, DJ Quest is also involved in pushing up-and-coming artistes’ careers as he is working on five different albums for different artistes across numerous genres.

“I am working on about five different albums for up-and-coming artistes including Deep House, Hip-Hop, Amapiano, and RnB. The main agenda is to help in lifting up the people around me and I do all these projects for free,” he said.

His much-anticipated album titled Take Control will be released before the year ends.

DJ Quest is inspired by the late Swedish wheel spinner DJ Avicii.