‘South African House Music’ is bursting with talent at this particular moment. From all ‘Mzansi Corners’ there is that one, two or maybe more individual or individuals ready to set the ‘house music scene alight’. This week we are blessed to have one such individual ‘On The SpotLight’ for our weekly ‘one on one’. Straight up from humble beginnings in ‘KwaZulu Natal, South Africa’ we bring ‘Sizz’ ‘On The SpotLight’. Let’s get to it once more…
ShoMag: Before all goes down, let us thank you for making this ‘one on one’ possible. Just for the benefit of those might be wondering, who is ‘Sizz’ and where is he from?
Sizz: ‘Sizz’ is actually an abbreviation of Sizwe, but I added the letter ‘Z’ for some flavour. My full name is Sandisizwe, I’m from a small rural area, on the north side of ‘KZN, South Africa’ what cool kids call ‘the bunduz’.
Spent all my life there, the place shaped and moulded me into a being I am now, how I think, behave and how I see the world. My music is also greatly influenced by the place. I use to be in the choir in most schools I attended during my school years. To put it simple, ‘I’m a simple man, with a big mission’.
ShoMag: We have recently seen a lot of ‘house music deejays’ jumping into ‘music production and vice versa’. Which space do you personally feel in ‘House Music’, would you say you are a ‘House Music Producer or a House Music Deejay’? Maybe do you do both?
Sizz: ‘I’d say I’m an artist first, a musician second, and a craftsman’. I create ideas with my music, making people feel what they don’t want to feel in most cases. Emotions play an integral role towards shaping our perception with regards to music as a whole. I’m an artist that presents music that he makes.
ShoMag: Looking back, how did it all start for ’Sizz’? By that, I mean how did you get into the music industry and how are you finding your ‘musical journey so far’?
Sizz: We use to record ‘Glen Lewis’ with our radio and we’d listen to the tapes and feel the nostalgia. I was hooked to mid-tempo initially, yeah! ‘Chameleon’, and them Changes In My Life by ‘Stereocandi’. Everything changed after listening to ‘Culoe De Song’ and some international musicians like ‘Atjazz, Jimpster, Raw Artistic Soul’ to name a few. My musical background is broad because I listen to everything and draw inspiration from what I listen to that particular moment.
ShoMag: Challenges are to be encountered throughout any journey. What would you say was your ‘biggest challenge’ when it comes to the music industry and how did you conquer it?
Sizz: To be honest the biggest challenge is ignorance on both sides of the spectrum. When it comes to artists selling their music, ‘we slack on marketing, providing quality sound and delivery on time’ because people want music and to feel in a new way that’s partly why we search for music constantly. Fans tend to lack some knowledge on how to buy music from digital stores and resort to music piracy websites.
ShoMag: Every artist would like to have his/her own ‘signature sound’. How would you describe ‘Sizz unique sound’?
Sizz: ‘I don’t have a signature sound’. I do what I feel at a certain time. And sometimes I can never feel the same way again.
ShoMag: You teamed up with ‘OU’ and together released ‘Twin Towers Ep’. How did that come about and did you have any specific sound you were going after for that release?
Sizz: We made a beautiful record for ‘Surreal Sounds Music Within Da Beats’. The best EP in my opinion by a duo. We just decided on one occasion amongst a lot that we going to release an EP. I remember when we first announced it, people went crazy and there we knew we had to put it out. And it was a success. Funny enough the title of that offering was inspired by ‘Lord Of The Rings Twin Towers’.
ShoMag: ‘Twin Towers Ep’ is part of ‘Surreal Sounds Within Da Beats’ project. Individually how did that feel for you guys?
Sizz: It was nice working with the guys at ‘Surreal Sounds Music’, we’ve always wanted to release something there and that happened.
ShoMag: Big up on the work you put in for your new Ep ‘Jesus Black’. What was the inspiration behind that release and what can we expect from that offering?
Sizz: I have helped this particular friend of mine on couple of occasions to a point where called me his ‘Jesus’ and I was even mocked by a couple of friends who called me ‘Black Jesus’, so I took that and titled the EP ‘Jesus Black’. I’m letting you all into my world of chaos and happiness. The three tracks are a sublime message that reflects the beliefs and the ideologies that surround my sound.
ShoMag: What is instore for us this year from ‘Sizz’, are there any ‘musical projects’ we need lookout for from ‘Sizz’ this year?
Sizz: This year be ready for anything. I got an event we planning back at home called ‘Pick A N##A’, which showcases young talent from all walks of life in one space with the intent to network and build connections and vibe as young people. The event includes performances from ‘OU, Guy Gibbons, Encho, Fred-Virro, Sir Spanyol’ to name a few.
ShoMag: ‘Music Collaborations’ can add some flavour to ones sound or project. For the future who would you like to work with and why?
Sizz: ‘!Sooks, Lazurusman, Sobek, Slotta, Stimming, Da Capo, Secret Souls’, because they are amongst the best in the business.
ShoMag: Last words on what we can expect from you ‘Sizz’ this year and is there any message you might have for your fans out there?
Sizz: This year I’m doing me. No restrictions. More music. More vibes.
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