Just Love – an interview with Kususa
“Two human beings trying to tell their story through music,” Kususa is the Durban-born Afro-Tech duo making waves in the South African music scene, with the world as their oyster.
Their remixes of ‘Feel it Now’ by Cornelius featuring Jackie Queen, Jackie Queen’s ‘Love Will Wait’ as well as ‘Mabudede’ by De Cave Man & Tonic Volts have surged their career to new heights, getting major support from artists and music taste-makers around the world.
Most recently they released “Just Love” ft. Azola, a masterfully crafted summer anthem produced in collaboration with previous collaborators, Chynaman and Argento Dust.
From strength to strength, where will Kususa go next? Find out what they have to say.
Welcome, Joshua and Mncedi, AKA Kususa. You’re from Durban, which is bringing out some amazing music. What is it about Durban that’s nurturing this bloom of music in South Africa?
Kususa: Hi IDM Mag, Thank you for having us. Durban is deeply rooted in culture and has been the biggest export of other new and old genres such as Maskanda and Gqom which are influenced by KwaZulu Natal heritage and lifestyle.
How did Kususa come to be?
Kususa: We met back at a gig in Pinetown as individual DJ/Producer. We instantly clicked and started sharing project files and collaborated as “Kunzima & Samurai Yasusa.” After a series of collaboration, we formed “Kususa,” which is a combination of our individual stage and also loosely translated in Shona – “taken off”
So Kususa has a new track out in collaboration with Chynaman and Argento Dust via Jet Black Music – “Just Love ft. Azola.” The track is masterfully written and is the perfect track to get anyone grooving this festive summer season. How did production work? Were you all in the studio together or was it a back and forth?
Kususa: The song was recorded by Chynaman; Azola’s vocals first, well written by Azola. While in one of our studio sessions, Chynaman played back the vocals for us, which sounded sweet and had an evoking emotion. We quickly jumped on it with our producer friend Argento Dust. We hit the studio with Chynaman & Argento Dust for consecutive days and by the week we were all satisfied with the song.
With previous collaborations between Kususa, Chynaman and Argento Dust in different forms, this is the first time you all have joined together on one track. How did the idea for “Just Love” come to be?
Kususa: The idea of “Just Love” was based on the beautiful lyrics written by Azola. Production-wise It had a little of us, a little of Argento Dust, a little of Chynaman over Azola’s amazing vocals, this made it a perfect collaborative effort.
Music is a universal language that transcends all constraints and has the power to heal and unite. What do you want people to feel/experience when they hear your music?
Kususa: When we write music, we try evoking an emotion, whether to dance or be captured in the euphoria of the writing and musicality.
Not just Durban, but South Africa, in general, is bringing the heat music-wise (especially dance music-wise). From an artist’s perspective, what does the future hold for musicians in SA? Are we going to continue to soar or crash and burn?
Kususa: South Africa is fresh in talent and will continue to soar as the industry opens up to new talent and sounds.
What’s on Kususa’s cards for 2020?
Kususa: We are looking into a European tour, lots of music releases planned and later plant a seed for a world tour 2021 and hopefully album drop.
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