Kususa, AKA Joshua Sokweba and Mncedi Tshicila, hail from Durban (South Africa) and are a pioneering duo at the heart of the Afro-house scene. They bring a distinctive flavour to house, techno and Afrobeat on labels like Ultra, Defected, and Moblack and have helped spread an authentic Afro-house sound around the world. They have toured India, Europe, Africa, Asia and the Far East while clocking up national radio plays, chart-topping hits, millions of online streams and fans on every continent. Now, they draw on all their vast creative reserves and call upon a rich array of like-minded talent to serve up their accomplished new full-length, “A Life Worth Living”, album arriving on Mayonie Productions label November 2024, Friday 1st. Let’s know this dynamic duo better with our face-to-face interview.
What and who inspired you to become a DJ?
Mncedi: I was always intrigued by creation of music hence I become a producer, from there, production went hand in hand with Deejaying so it then came naturally after music production.
Which kind of music did you listen when teenager?
Mncedi: I have always been a dance music fan, so would bump some good electro or techno which was prominent then, but at home they would be glance of gospel and afro-pop from my mom and aunts.
Joshua: I listened to House Music, Afro-Pop & Funk.
And now?
Mncedi: still listen to dance music but gravitate to classical orchestra music mostly lately
Joshua: I listen to House music more plus Reggae & Liquid Drum & Bass.
Which platform do you use to listen to music?
Mncedi: Apple Music or Spotify, depends accessibility and phone.
Joshua: Radio plus online streaming (YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music).
Why Africa is becoming so important in the electronic music scene?
Mncedi: sonically the music has always had some elements from Africa, so it would be injustice that electronic music scene not cover up that, also most of the new sub-genres of electronic music are coming from Africa and are very documented.
Joshua: Africa has been exporting the best electronic music producers and Artist with unique styles of the sound so definitely would become prominent.
Your favourite DJs and producers.
Mncedi: At the moment, blank with this, there just too many to mention.
Joshua: My favourite producer and DJs are Maya Jane, David August, Culoe De Song, Manoo, Damian Lazarus, Shimza, Zakes Bantwini & Black Coffee in no specific order.
Your favourite clubs and festivals.
Mncedi: My favourite clubs are Hï Ibiza, The Womb Tokyo and Savaya Bali; festival would be Ultra and Coachella.
Joshua: My favourite clubs are also Hï Ibiza, The Womb Club Tokyo plus Circoloco and festivals are Burning Man, Tomorrowland & Afterlife.
The most important record in your box
Mncedi: currently Kususa & BlaqRhythm – _Umkhumbi Ka Noah.
Joshua: David August, Kollektiv Turmstrasse – Last Day.
Your all-time favourite track?
Mncedi: Bent – _To Be Love (Soulchild Remix).
Joshua: De Major feat. Lizwi – Traveller (Kususa & Quetornik Official Remix).
How to send you promos?
Mncedi & Joshua: mail Kususaofficial@gmail.com or Inflyte.
Your favourites
Food / actor / football team / tv series.
Mncedi: Food is Umqusho (Brown Samp) and Beef Meat / Actor None / Football Team I0m an hardcore Real Madrid guy / Tv Series: Prison Break repeats recently.
Joshua: Food: Pap and Braai Meat / Actor: Jason Statham & Nicholas Cage /Football: Orlando Pirates / Tv Series: Squid Game.
Your hobbies
Mncedi: I like reading fiction stuff and also drawing, but mostly in studio or with my family if not those.
Joshua: Gaming, Iceskating & Bike Riding.
Your upcoming projects?
Mncedi & Joshua: We dropping our debut body of work album, which gives homage to our local vocal veterans while shine light on the evergrowing electronic music scene in South Africa and Africa as a whole.
Your lifelong dream?
Mncedi: To be in a comfortable position to make music and have a music career as a DJ, balance it with family time and personal health cause constantly we missing out on that in this career.
Joshua: Traveling around the world.
