DJ Radix rolling with South African big guns

Langalakhe Mabena
WHEN United States-based Zimbabwean producer Brian Soko left an international mark as he won best producer at the 2014 Grammy awards courtesy of Beyonceaï¿½ï¿½s Drunk In Love song, little did we know that another local producer in the name of DJ Radix, would also represent the country at such great heights.

DJ Radix, real name Malcom Nilton Ncube (26), is a South Africa-based producer born in Beitbridge, bred in the City of Kings and Queensaï¿½ï¿½ Iminyela high density suburb, whose musical career is passion- driven, approved by the number of well established South African Hip Hop artistes who have approached him.

Think of Cash Timeaï¿½ï¿½s best Kasi lyricist Ma-E, the Endurance hit-maker Reason, Maraza and not forgetting the Umswenko pioneers Boyz and Bucks, all of these are some of the big artistes Radix has produced tracks for to date.

When he moved to South Africaaï¿½ï¿½s Mother City, Cape Town in 2008, Radix earned some gigs at local clubs only toAï¿½ unleash his full potential in music production in 2014.

aï¿½?I started off as a wheel spinner in 2008. I then realised that some musical creativity that I personally liked were missing in the industry then I decided to fill in those gaps in 2014, a year which marked my career as a producer,aï¿½? said Radix.

The owner of Root Radix Holdings, a music recording stable, though conscripted deeply into the South African Hip-Hop cult, he still hasnaï¿½ï¿½t lost his Zimbabwean values thus he tries by all means to connect with local artistes like Taiwanda Thai whom he featured on his single Black Rose alongside Boyz and Bucksaï¿½ï¿½ Stillo Magolide and DotCom.

How does he produce ground breaking beats which catches attention of seasoned musical producers like JR of the Show Dem fame and agree to work with him on a project? The talented producing wizard reveals his secrets.

aï¿½?I listen to wide genres which include Reggae, Electro and Kwaito to mention a few, which allow me to adopt the sound and flavour from these genres and fuse them with hip-hop, that makes my projects unique and attractive to most of the artistes who approach me,aï¿½? he said.

DJ Radix who made headlines with his lead Malume single featuring Maraza and Youngster CPT is set to release his much anticipated single featuring Ma-E and a new Cape Town based female vocalist Bhlaklyt in mid February.

A distribution deal with Sony Music South Africa is also in the pipeline which will see the company distributing Radixaï¿½ï¿½s upcoming first album billed for later this year.