He’s one of the hottest talents and trailblazers of the music world – now South Africa can finally find out what the rest of the world knows about Spoek Mathambo with his new compilation The Future Sounds Of Mzansi. 

Spoek Mathambo cuts a laid-back figure, sitting comfortably at Sony Music’s head office in Johannesburg. Despite having faced a whole morning of press interviews, he looks calm and relaxed – a man in his element. Few South Africans know this, but while bands such as Die Antwoord are making very public waves in the international music scene, Spoek has been doing the same. In fact, you could argue that the electro pioneer is better known abroad than here.

After dropping out of medical studies, which he admits just wasn’t for him, Spoek turned his focus to his true passion – a decision he never regretted, saying he “wakes up happy all the time to do it.” Since age ten he has been infatuated with music, some of it born from his older brother.

“Hip hop raised me since I was a little kid. My brother, who is ten years older than me – when he was going through his teens, I was through him exposed to a lot of artists.”

But that was not enough. The Soweto-born Spoek, real name Nthato Mokgata, discovered an insatiable appetite for all kinds of music. While his sisters broadened his tastes with RnB and reggae, his father brought home a record collection that included acts as diverse as Queen, Johnny Cash and Kraftwerk.

“I’m a big music fan. I see myself as the offspring of a lot of sides of music – from South African fifties township jazz to acid rock to Brit pop to punk to dancehall, reggae, dub…”

The 27-year old musician debuted his first album, Mshini Wam, in 2010. Despite being a low-key release, it garnered much critical acclaim locally and abroad, but did not ignite his career. Still, Spoek wasn’t perturbed by this setback. Harnessing the power of the internet, he had set about to create his future one step at a time.

“I almost quit once – I gave up on the South African music scene in the mid 2000s. But I always believed in doing what I do because it makes me happy. And that’s why I make music. But I didn’t really even try to break into the local industry. Instead I took a route that was working for many acts around the world. All you need are a few core fans all over the world and that can support your career. Since 2007 I went into that level, communicating with artists and promoters and producers all over the world who could appreciate the music I’m creating.”

So he turned his energy abroad and pursued a music career in Europe and the U.S. Through this he collaborated with several big artists and names, many operating on the cutting edge of the electro dance genre. Eventually Spoek would sign a deal with Sub Pop, the indie label well known for kick starting acts such as Nirvana. There he released the Father Creeper album, followed by an EP and numerous singles. He has been profiled by such major publications as the Los Angeles Times and was named one of Spin Magazine’s artists to watch in 2012.

But local audiences have not been as exposed to Spoek’s music, leading to the release of his compilation Future Sounds Of Mzansi. When asked why it took so long for Spoek to reintroduce his unique vibes to South Africa, he put it down to a matter of being the right time.

“When I left SA to live overseas, it was at a point where I didn’t really see my place in the industry here. But since then a lot of stuff all around the world has moved towards my sonic territory in a way that I am confident that this is a time where a lot of people will be open to the sound that I make.”

One thing that stands out about Spoek’s music is its unusualness. Though his work is currently rooted in electro dance – some have called it Afro futurist – it brings in a wide blend of styles and influences. Even he admits that it can make a few of his songs harder for some to get into. So with Future Sounds Of Mzansi, he handpicked tracks that had a more distinct pop sound.

“The whole point of the album is for newcomers. It’s an introduction of what I have been doing for the last four years.”

But even if you are late to get onto the Spoek Mathambo bandwagon: he is only getting started. Filling his days with creating music, songwriting and producing albums – most recently for afro pop star Thandiswa Mazwai, as well as creating a movie soundtrack – it is clear that Spoek still stands at the start of his career. When asked where he sees himself now, he answered without hesitation:

“Starting out – learning a lot – this is the beginning. Look at Stevie Wonder – by the time he was twenty one he already had lots of albums. It takes many releases for you to find that greatness. So that’s what I’m missioning for.”

By James Francis
Images courtesy of Jonx Pillemer