Clermont’s DJ Lag mixes it up…
He is on a world tour and has worked with pop icon Beyoncè.
CLERMONT-bred DJ/producer, DJ Lag, whose real name is Lwazi Gwala, isn’t considered the most revered ‘Gqom’ DJ in the country for nothing.
The 23-year-old, who started making music for fun, is currently on his Uhuru world tour that will take him to places such as Paris, Brooklyn, Detroit, Los Angelos, Mexico City, Rajasthan, Manchester and Bristol.
At the moment, Lag finds himself in one of his favourite cities to play in, London.
“Every time I go there (London) I always enjoy it and get a great response. Same thing with LA, it’s always packed and people are always waiting for my set which is encouraging for any DJ!” said the jet-setting artist.
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Gqom has had a major cultural impact on the international club and electronic music scene and Lag is chuffed with how far the niche genre has come.
“I’m really proud to see that the genre has grown. I remember in 2012 or 2013 it was really hard to hear and find Gqom tracks on radio, but now everywhere I go in the world I can hear Gqom.”
Lag is all about the progression of this pulsating genre and wants to host more events in his native Clermon. The #SomethingforClermont event happened in June, a first of it’s kind and Lag wants it to continue for the Gqom-loving locals.
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“We will continue to grow the event as well as the music business workshop. The plan is to keep the events to two per year with enough space for everyone because the past couple of events have been sold out so we will have to move to a bigger venue to make sure no one is stopped from experiencing it. But that’s all I can say for now, you’ll have to wait and see.”
Other than going on tour and playing at local events like Durban’s first Boiler Room event, DJ Lag has been working on some exciting projects like collaborating with Three Ships Whiskey and being featured on Beyoncè’s Lion King inspired album.
Lag explained the creative process behind the “Gqom select” track for Three Ships Whiskey.
“To be honest, at first it was a pretty nervous as it was the first time I have had to convert sounds from a specific location onto a track. The process required me to sample different sounds that came from the location such as the barrels rolling, which ultimately featured quite prominently on the track, as well as the falling water outside the still room,” said Lag, who added, “it’s a really cool campaign which highlights exceptional people of different disciplines who are proud to be a South African, just like I am.
“I learnt a lot, and I’m really happy to be a part of the campaign that speaks my language.”
On being featured on Beyoncè’s Lion King album, Lag simply said: “It feels good, I’m really proud to have been a part of it. I never expected to be working with Beyoncè but now that it’s happened, I have room to chase more dreams.”
Those dreams definitely include being nominated for a Grammy and the DJ plans on submitting music for consideration and to inspire others to do the same.
“I’m sure the other artists can now see that it is possible to reach for a Grammy. South Africa has always had great things to offer the world in terms of music. Young people just need to know that they can rise to it.”
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