Introducing/Interview: Zulu

ZULU – a superlative producer with a love for wonky basslines and unconventional bongos.

The 18 year old creator of African-influenced tracks ‘Bulawayo’ and ‘Kwaito’ is a born Londoner, but raised in the Cotswolds, Gloucestershire – the fresh air and breathtaking landscapes maybe having to do something with his musical influences; or his parents’ worldly knowledge and experiences having had an impact on his upbringing and his facile, skilled melodious mind.

Now signed by producer Toddla T and Two Bears’ Raf Daddy’s label Girls Music, and having just finished his A-levels, this boys dream is on the verge of becoming real.

Things began when listening to Monki, a DJ – who is well-renowned for finding and exploiting new talent – on Rinse FM one Thursday morning. He sent his first song, Bulawayo in after the DJ requested new music for the show, and ever since then she has supported his ingenious creative pieces, playing them weekly, grasping the attention of other producers, and of course, the managers of Girls Music.

The music of Zulu consists of inventive and intelligent african influenced rhythms, with steel drums and bongos leading the way, and making you smile from ear to ear without realizing, until the song ends. The samples of african men chanting grasp your attention, and next thing you know you’ve got a real funky, heavy bass line kicking in – this is when we realize that this is still strongly influenced by British electronic music. Although every song is enthrallingly different in their own right, he has mastered creating his own sound – a skill which is easier said than done.

The songs produced by this inimitable adolescent artist will make you tap your feet and bob your head at the least (unless there is already full-on dancing).

I contacted the young artist to find out more about what influenced this young boy’s ears…

N.H: Who are your top 5 artists of the year?
Zulu:    Toyc
Tensnake
Julio Bashmore
Hudson Mohawke
Mista Men

N.H: What is your 2011 banger?
Zulu: Mista Men- Pantha

N.H: Who/what have been your musical influences over the last 6 years?
Zulu: Everything from hip hop to folk music to electronica, I listen to anything and everything and then try and take influences from all over really, hopefully that comes through in my tunes.

N.H: What were your first thoughts when you were asked to be a part of Girls Music?
Zulu: Pretty mad to be fair. I never thought that my first release would be on a label run by Toddla and Raf Daddy and owned by Ninja Tune, so I’m stoked to have the opportunity to release with them.

N.H: Where do you see yourself in 3 years?
Zulu: Hopefully in a happy place making music and playing it to more and more people. And with a massive studio!

N.H: How do you think your music will evolve from now?
Zulu: I want to take things down a more house orientated route. I have been listening to a lot of old and new house music recently, and it has influenced me a fair bit, so slower tunes with more of a groove, and lots of 4 x4 kick drums.

N.H: How do you think music in general will evolve from now?
Zulu: Who knows, I don’t think Im really qualified to say.

N.H: If you created a genre for the type of music you make, what would it be called?
Zulu: I’m not particularly a fan of giving every different sound a name or label, but having said that, Zimbabwean Disco is a funny way to describe some things I make.

N.H: Top 3 people you would love to collaborate with?
Zulu:    Joe Goddard
Breach
Nelson Mandela

N.H: If you could direct a music video for Kwaito or Bulawayo, what would it look like?
Zulu: Hmm, probably totally mad with loads of colours and African themes, but all filmed in a field in the Cotswolds. Then we’d all go to the pub afterwards.

N.H: What festival would you love to play at?
Zulu: Sonar. Have you seen that crowd? But Glastonbury would also be lovely.

N.H: Did you ever see yourself come this far in music so soon?
Zulu: No, but I haven’t really got anywhere yet. It’s still very much early days.

N.H: Any tips/advice to unsigned, aspiring musicians?
Zulu: Listen to Rinse FM, don’t send your tunes to Tiesto straight away, and don’t be too serious, have a laugh.

Zulu’s release is out on iTunes, Beatport, etc. on November 7th – get on it!
Keep an eye out for this one….

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- Nina Hoogstraate