Meet Thakzin a musical prodigy and known pioneer of the 3-Step sound that’s taking over Afro House currently. He describes the sound as being the baby of Afro House and Amapiano. Through his innovative and forward thinking approach to music Thakzin sheds light on culture, the birth of 3-Step its future and fashion.
How did you get into music and has it always been a part of your life?
Yeah, music’s always been in my life. My father was a musician, so he’s the one who plugged me into music. I started at a very young age. Late 2010 is when I started producing but I started DJing 2009 and I’ve been doing it ever since.
When you first got into DJing was Afro House the genre you focused on, or did you start with other genres?
Yeah, it was really Afro House, I think because the genre at that time and even now is considered to be ‘a young man sport’ I think. So at home myself and my family would all have favourite genres. My mother would go for Gospel, my father would go for Jazz, my sister would go for R&B and I’d go for House and the local gem we call Kwaito.
I’m familiar with Kwaito
Yeah! That was what I was taught by my father.
With Kwaito, I have been researching a lot into the genre and with the Amapiano sound a lot of people say that the sound pays homage to Kwaito. Do you agree?
I do agree. I do agree!
From the vibe, the energy it gives even the lyrical part where it’s like free language. It’s a language that we are used to, but there’s also the simplicity of it that makes the whole thing.
I was introduced to you from the MÖRDA – Asante album, by the track ‘Ndiyekekeni’ when I first heard it, I thought mmm this sounds a bit Afro Techy but it’s got a different vibe. Your name is plastered everywhere when it comes to ‘3-Step’ and you are seen as one of the pioneers of the sound.
What three words would you use to describe ‘3-Step’ in comparison to ‘Afro Tech’?
Three words to describe it? Mmm. I have a sentence, if Afro House and Amapiano were to have a baby it would be 3-Step. It’s a blend and combination of the two.
How did you go about generating and engineering the sound?
It was during covid times, 2020 where we couldn’t really go anywhere and my sound was Afro House but then later I’d go to clubs, and they’d be playing Amapiano. I’d get there, I’d play my sound and I could feel that there was a little bit of a disconnect with the crowd. So then I started listening to what was moving the people from Amapiano and I took that and I incorporated it on the Afro House sound and it sort of birthed the new thing that is, the new sub-genre 3-Step.
What would you say has inspired you musically, like when we look at the beginnings from Kwaito till now, which musicians, which songs captivate your spirit?
Yoh. It’s songs, its energies, it’s life itself. I can get inspired by just seeing someone who’s listening to music and seeing their energy and how it makes them feel. I believe music is a hidden component and for me it’sseeing the power of music and how it heals people.
That’s one thing that has always inspired me. Why do people listen to happy music when they are sad? I seepower in that, and I saw that at such a young age and by the music that was instilled in me by my father. It’s a blend of the old school and the new school and it’s about also painting the future.
I see myself as a product of the past, the present and the future. You know, I’m inspired by the past because I draw inspiration from it, from the people that have paved the way for us and the present because I listen to whatever is happening and I’m able to incorporate it. I try to paint the future and how it’s going to be, by imagining and that’s the power of music.
I agree, I think with House music it is very spiritual, even with 3-Step. It has such a vibrant sound, it’s hard to stay still. It gets the people moving and it’s uplifting so thank you for contributing to that. So!What’s next for Thakzin?
That has always been one of the most difficult questions. I always find it-
I don’t like saying what’s next you know, I like surprises.
But there’s so much to experience, even with 3-Step a vibe that is happening right now. There are so many parts of it that hasn’t been explored. You know, you go to different countries and then you listen to the music that they listen to and you’re like ooh! I can incorporate that into the music that we’re doing.
Definitely, more international features, more international connections as I don’t only want to connect the sound by what is happening in South Africa. I’ve had the privilege of travelling and seeing what is happening out there and so that is one thing I’d like to bring over.
We can have 3-Step Gospel, 3-Step R&B, that is what I see of the genre where the sound isn’t just linked to Afro House but linked to music as a whole.
Which artists or producers would you love to work with in future?
I think for me, it’s always about the energy. I wouldn’t chase a collab or a feature if it’s not reciprocal energy. I’m all about whatever comes my way I go towards.
One of the people I’d say internationally who I’ve always seen as innovative and forward thinking is Pharrell. I know it’s out of my Afro thing but he is one of the people I’d like to work with and there is also an artist in South Africa called Thandiswa Mazwai. I draw a lot of inspiration from those people because they’re not boxed in. You never know what they’re going to come up with. I like having that element as an artist where you don’t know where the next thing is going to go, but you know, it’s going to be nice.
Like Pharrell you don’t know what he’s going to drop or what he’s going to do but you know it’s going to be nice. You know, it’s that trust. That trust that I want to build with people, it’s the trust I want to build culture, I just want to have a positive contribution to the culture. Where people are able to look at me and say, ‘you did something.’ When the time comes and you go to the heavens or wherever you go, God forbid, but when you get there you have something to say. That’s me.
It’s funny you’ve mentioned Pharrell, because he’s incorporated fashion, music, culture all into one, you know even with N.E.R.D. I can see that you’re quite fashionable you come across as someone who’s on trend.
Which fashion brands would you say you’re interested in or like wearing?
I’m a huge lover of Kick, I’m a huge lover of New Balance.
I’ve got New Balance on
You see! You’ve got the vibes. It’s New Balance but I’m also liking Nike, but my biggest love is New Balance.
I mean, the trainers are comfortable. I really like them, it’s either them or Stan Smiths.
True, there’s also so much local brands from home that I’m like this is it, this is the future. I would love to support. There are so many, for me it is about wearing something that is comfortable, that will make you look good because if you look good
You feel good
You feel good yeah! By the time you’re ready to play you have nothing else to worry about but the music. You’re not like ahh I don’t like it, you know with confidence, the fashion it builds confidence in you.
Do you have a stylist or is this all you?
Unfortunately for now this is all me but all thanks to everyone who supports me. I am open to ideas to whoever may come to me as a stylist but for now it’s just me rocking what I like.
After a performance, obviously it’s hectic the vibes are there, you know you’re feeling amped up. How would you go about unwinding and just relaxing?
For me, I need just two minutes of zoning out. Those two minutes of zoning out. So, usually you see how everyone is out there right now, I’d just come to a space like this where there is no one and call above. Pray, do whatever but I need that time of just focusing on me.
Before I let you go, we’re here in London, I know it’s not your first time in London. How would you describe the London crowd as opposed to other crowds?
London feels like home! I’ve been telling the guys; I’ve had the privilege of going to different places and this place specifically feels like home. The people are vibrant, the people are willing to listen, they are willing to go wherever you want to go. Their ears are really open, they yearn for something new. It feels like a place that is yearning for something new, something innovative. So being here makes me feel like I’m really home and it encourages me to do more and explore. There’s so much diversity in this city and that’s one thing I really like and appreciate about London.
Catch more of Thakzin
Instagram: thakzin01
Twitter: Thakzin01
Special thanks to See Kombo and Til Two
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