Front Row with Osl1nn

All images courtesy of Osl1nn

Front Row with Osl1nn

There's nothing I love more than music–and the music that’s been coming from the subterranean dwellings of our country is nothing short of world-building. One of the most promising sounds have been that of the underground scene, which transforms the western use of drums & layering further into a dark and raw smorgasbord of sound that’s resonance cannot be forgotten, nor diminished.

One cannot appreciate the budding success of South Africa's underground Rap scene without the acknowledgment of the producers ability to reclaim global Hip-Hop and Trap in which our sound reverberates. To take that initial sound and infuse & remedy it into a distorted, youthful and somewhat sinister expression takes an incredible amount of sonic ability. There is so much skill required in training the ear and some are rarely attentive to all the elements required in the creation of a good sound–however producer and DJ, Osl1nn, is able to hear what is missing, add it, and then add some more.

Over the eight years, I've had the pleasure of witnessing the comeuppance and change within this community, and that of its left-field progression sonically. Responsible for the beat behind the well-recognised 'Gqom Freestyle' by Brotherkupa–and unreleased music from Lancey very-recently previewed on Plaqueboy Max’s stream–Osl1nn has been able to mould a genuine and immersive sound as a producer. Beyond being well-versed within the crux of Trap and Hip-Hop in South Africa, powering music behind Don Earl and Jaykatana–he’s weaved the essence of South African street culture and music within the structures of Trap music.

Beyond the rampant globalisation we’re experiencing, we find ourselves awakened to the talent we’re surrounded by already. I've always assumed that it's within the support of those you choose to surround yourself with, that success (at any degree) is the outcome as well as the willingness to continuously learn, experiment and WORK. Within our interview–Osl1nn and I talk about his craft, community and, what seems to me, a new genesis of recognition of an under-appreciated and overlooked genre which has been synthesising for years in the making.

 All images courtesy of Osl1nn

Would you mind telling us who you are and what you do.

OS: Hey, I'm Osl1nn and I'm a DJ/Producer.

How important have you found the use of culture within your skill of production?

OS: As a producer/DJ, the use of culture in your production is incredibly important. Culture informs the sounds, rhythms, and melodies you incorporate into your music–often adding layers of meaning, emotion, and connection to your work. It helps create a unique identity for your sound–setting you apart from other producers. 

What is the South African underground scene and how would you describe and classify it?

OS: The SA underground scene is a bunch of artists who have not been discovered by the majority of South Africa. Usually it's the younger generation that tend to listen to abstract forms of Hip-Hop/Trap music–I would describe it as a very supportive community cause the fans of the SA underground scene really invest time into an artist if they show potential.

I’ve felt your recent work has a mature & refined nature. You have a strong ability to infuse the ritual & standard elements of the Gqom genre within the new age underground South African rap landscape. What inspired your mosaic style of creation?

OS: It's crazy because Jay and Kupa were performing at House of Vans last year and before their performance a DJ was playing a Gqom set. Thats when it hit me. It was time to infuse Gqom and Trap to see what we could get out of it, and what we got out of it was a hit song.

Who or what has served as influences in your sound?

OS: WAKEUPF1LTHY! is one of my biggest inspiration. Also a lot of old school Gqom music, Kwaito and Bacardi. Trap music too of course.

Do you believe that the underground music scene has been able to retain its own originality that can distinguish our sound from the western underground sound ? If so, where does our originality stem from?

OS: So, the SA underground scene was largely inspired by American Rap culture, or the US underground culture to be exact. There is no such thing as an original idea in my opinion, it all stems from somewhere–the only difference is, here in SA we add elements that remind us of our South African heritage and culture.

It seems as though the underground scene has a strong sense of community in creating, is this the general consensus and do you believe this has nurtured the community, if not, what has kept the underground prevalent and growing in recognition recently ?

OS: Jaykatana, Brotherkupa and K1llBrady are the pioneers of what the underground scene in SA can groom–and underground artists such as Parkervs* show how much and how well the underground community has matured.

 All images courtesy of Osl1nn

Recently, a video from Plaqueboy Max’s stream was circulating of UK artist Lancey rapping on one of your beats. How did that come about?

OS: Sliksyd (Founder of Yearsoftears/OSBATT) got word that I made Gqom freestyle, then he tapped me in with Lancey. Lancey loved my work and the rest was history.

Thank you for speaking with us, lastly we’d love to know why’d you chosen to engage in this conversation with FRM?

OS: Khumo is a close friend and always found her to be very tapped into the culture in South Africa. Also I hope this interview will inspire other artists to keep grinding, even when you don't see immediate results :)