Sje Konka

South African DJ, producer, and keyboardist Sje Konka takes the raw late-2000s Pretoria barcardi house sound and filters it through 2020s jazz and lounge-based amapiano, smoothing out its rough edges in the process.

He was born Khutso Oscar Sewela in 1998 and raised in Atteridgeville, a large suburb on the edge of Pretoria. By his early twenties, he was an accomplished and dexterous pianist. After teaming up with fellow local producer Freddy K, the pair issued January 2020's Shapa Munne EP, Vol. 1. On pieces such as "Playstore" and "Lalela," they built on a template of sparse, barcardi-esque, militaristic rhythms and warped keyboards, and added jazzy flourishes and infectious vocal chants to extend the material's commercial appeal. Recorded with Robot Boii, February 2021's playful, brooding and propulsive single, "Location," proved to be Sje Konka's breakthrough single in South Africa. Later that year, he followed it with his own Let Go EP. In places, the record introduced a smooth, R&B-inspired aspect to his sound, courtesy of Mandy ZA's soulful vocals. The following month's "Oksalayo" -- recorded once again with Freddy K and Robot Boii -- was a return to an upfront, dancefloor-focused approach. Next, March 2022's Ghetto Hero EP provided them the opportunity to explore the use of a broader palette and featured guest spots from Mt D Kota and Busta 929. ~ James Wilkinson, Rovi