#MusicInTheAir Podcast hosts this week :
THEE SUKA

And here we are at the second #MusicInTheAir Podcast of 2022 by Villahangar.  

For this week Villahangar warmly welcomes a new duo of artists: Thee Suka, an Afro House duo formed by SucreSoul and Kadjila. 

Influenced by hot keys and strings that have elements of EDM, Thee Suka are South African music producers and vocalists. They say: “We like to think of our musical style as that of Spiritual Afro with relaxing piano chords and strings but themed with EDM elements. We are mostly influenced by nature but the Afro House lives in us.” 

SucreSoul was born in Soweto but grew up in Tembisa and Kadjila was also born in different parts of Soweto while he also grew up in Tembisa. The duo is currently based in Klipfontein View Midrand.

A musical journey started in church for both. Kadjila says: “Music saved my life and that’s all I’ve ever wanted. The love for music was born in church and that’s why my voice is more spiritual.” Words echoed by those of SucreSoul, who adds: “My mother played the violin, I think it’s in the genes, but in the church I was more influenced. We are more spiritually inclined when we sing about our production.”

A very recent debut, and with a bang, worthy of note, theirs: Thee Suka released the track “Mano Mano” with Moblack Records on April 23^rd, 2021, undoubtedly one of the greatest songs of 2021 of Afro House, played in 127 countries with the support of an artist of the caliber of Black Coffee who took her around the world on her summer tour and used as a theme song for the Mirage event in New York held with Louis Vega.

Thee Suka has worked on a couple of collaborations in the past with well-known household names in the Afro House industry, and most of their productions will be released in the year just starting 2022, such as their next single titled “Aluwawa” which will be released at the end of January/February 2022, in addition to the new EP.

With their second song entitled “Zulu”, Thee Suka is part of Aluku Records – Various Compilation SA Edition PT.3 since its recent release on January 7^th, 2022.

Their hopes? An international tour and to share the love for their craft, with stages shared with some of the most influential DJs in South Africa, ready to explore different parts of the world.

What evolution do you think electronic music is experiencing on the international scene? What do you think are the differences with the country where you live?

Electronic music found its source and that is the heart, it has fused with African feel on drums and birthed Afro House evolution on different levels. In South Africa, the movement is fast paced growing and many people are loving it. We are of course exposed to one big genre called Amapiano, but the love of Afro House and Electronic music is amazing.

How much and how where you live, where you come from and your background influence your music production?

We are based in a Township, this place has its own lifestyle compared to the suburban areas. Our background influence on production is more of how we want to touch souls in different parts of the world.

What is your belief in musical terms? What message and emotions do you want to convey with your music?

Message of hope and inspiration. We believe so much in God and Ancestry, we are part of the messengers sent to spread love and peace. Our music is for a healing purpose.

What could you tell us about your hit Mano Mano? What happened with this track? How it was it born and what are its characteristics from a musical point of view?

Mano Mano hey, a very deep-rooted spiritual song of hope to the entire world. We have been through a lot in life during the outbreak of the pandemic, and the mostly affected of the impact were the children due to losing their parents and householders. This song came about the dawn while we were in the studio, it was right after a prayer session and we found ourselves making a song in unknown tongues and beautiful sad chords that related to our situation.

What do you foresee for your autumn and winter? Do you have DJ sets or festivals planned?

We would so love to get bookings abroad and share what we have as part of the healing. We hope to go to Tulum Mexico, sometime this year during their summer. Mozambique is definitely in the pipeline, should there be anyone that would like to book us, we are available.

What are your plans for the future?

We could be signing the biggest music deal, we can’t reveal much for now. All we know is that we are bringing more music and, hopefully, host our own events in order to help grow the movement.