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Shenge wearing Babysitter; Photography by @slxck.93
Front Row with Shenge
Our next FRM interviewee is without a doubt one of my favourite artists within the South Africa music right now. Unsurprisingly so, as he also forms part of the eponymous Rand Lord Records roster–the "music label" slash creative conglomerate which is trending amongst the bourgeoning streets of Johannesburg. Shenge, also known as 'uboywenu', is a songwriter, composer & musician from Johannesburg–and the latest performing artist whom I have dubbed to become one of the next global African artists pioneering a global sound.
I think the first Shenge song I ever listened to was iZandla Emoyeni–which is ironically still one of my favourite Shenge songs ever. The fusion of authentic South African kasi Hip Hop essentials merged Gqom and Kwaito fundamentals; uBoy Wenu (for me) is the project which unleashed the true Shenge & showcased his musical prowess and versatility. Just like our previous FRM guest, L3bby, Shenge continues to develop a diverse and innovative sound, honing in his own specific genre. For example, Shenge's sound on previous projects such as uBoy Wenu can often feel like 2016 Okmalumkoolkat Mlazi Milano meets 2021 Reece & Zuma's Amaroto; just like how Shenge's sound on NWO can be likened to an evolutionised hybrid of Gqom, Kwaito and Hip Hop infused into one.
And I think Shenge's musical roots primarily emanate from vast specific subcultures he has been exposed to throughout his adolescence up until now. In our conversation, he mentions: "It is as easy as growing up in the hood & burbs at the same time; you get exposed to different lifestyles, cultures, sounds etc. That’s where the alter ego “Milano” comes from–basically being able to represent two cultures into one. It’s giving lavish in the hood “kasi cheeseboy” which is what they normally refer to it as."
So join us on this FRM journey as we take a detour into the Life of Shenge. We immerse ourselves within the new world order which is uBoy Wenu, from Rand Lord Records to his upcoming project uModogishi, and much more.
Would you mind introducing yourself and including a short description of what you do?
UB: I’m Shenge–a songwriter/composer/musician and performing artist. I preferably like saying I make art in general. I am on the journey of creating a new culture which will speak on every single piece of work I dedicate my whole entire life to.
Firstly, I'm a fan of your music! The music from the new EP—New World Order—sounds incredbible. Such a uniquely Raw and fresh approach. So I guess let's take it back to the beginning... How did you even start approaching a project like this?
UB: With the name ’New World Order’ itself–it's a continuation of my brand as a whole. It came about from me trying to compose a whole new sound by myself to introducing concepts that are similar like to creating something new & refreshing, but most importantly, “authentic”. So the project approach was quite simple, the songs in the EP were songs I have been working on–figuring this new sound out, so I basically just shortlisted a few songs that I had already recorded before and composed the EP.
What inspires your unique Shenge sound?
UB: The inspiration behind the whole sound comes way beyond my whole entire life growth. Growing up as a hybrid kid opens multi-channels to the way your mind already grasps stuff & information–so merging everything normally comes easy when I have to be creative about it. It is as easy as growing up in the hood & burbs at the same time; you get exposed to different lifestyles, cultures, sounds etc. I can literally bool in a quantum, or let’s say the stance culture to be exact–and from that go bool with my friends from the burbs moving in AMGs, Rolls Royce, Bentley's, in general luxury. That’s where the alter ego “Milano” comes from–basically being able to represent two cultures into one. It’s giving lavish in the hood “kasi cheeseboy” which is what they normally refer to it as.
So I know you have a new project on the way, MDOGISHI. What can the FRM audience expect from this new body of work? And how would you say it (Mdogishi) evolutionises from your earlier stuff with 'uBoy Wenu' & 'NWO'.
UB: uMdogishi the tape is not coming as soon as expected–cannot really specify when but once it is ready people will eat for sure. I do feel as though it is very vital for me to brief people into what that is about so this question I appreciate it a lot. uMdogishi already has a hybrid approach looking at the type of sounds that are in the tape; it also showcases my versatile abilities within my own growth of the sound. The project entices concepts such as relatability–I wanted to do a piece of work that everyone is going to relate to. From uBoy Wenu & NWO, they're my most new and recent projects that don’t really cover what everyone would relate to worldwide, so the project is an evolution to my sound from the versatile songs that are in the project, to furthermore being experimental with my sound and hoping my listeners will receive well. To conclude–I am opening a channel for my fanbase growth & not keeping it stagnant with the same thing over and over again.
Can you talk us through your chosen Art direction, from music videos, visualisers, styling and everything. How did you determine this visual aesthetic?
UB: Like I had mentioned in the above questions before, it is all hybrid. Being exposed to an entirely wide life experiences kind of combines everything into one. Composing my whole art and visual aesthetics is as easy as me living my normal everyday life. With the music videos to be exact, I look into what would the normal Shenge do on a random day–tell a story that represents hood and lavish at the same time, but since I am exposed to wide art as well, I try putting whatever I authentically am already to futuristic stuff. This is to emphasise that art can never run out, ideas can never run out–it is about establishing something new that kids can also be exposed and look up to.
What is the relevance of the Randlords within the greater scheme of music you are trying to make? The "label" is quickly gaining popularity for its avant-garde local roster of artists such as Brotherkupa, moyo11moyo & lobugebengu, and you. So how would you describe what the Randlords are and what the vision is.
UB: I wouldn't really be able to explain what Rand Lord Records is for now–but everything will explain itself as time goes into the future. The relevancy all comes about from how I became introduced to it. Moyo11Moyo and Lobugebengu are the first two people to discover me while I was still trying to find a way into this sound. That obviously comes with insecurities and this is where they played an important role by showing me all the madness I am creating in my room is actually gold worthy. From there on, we started brainstorming on how we could put the brand together in terms of visual aesthetics, etc. After all that, that is only when the idea of the Rand Lords came about. In conclusion–the bros understood the whole mindset I am in and believed it in. A lot of people would ask why I have this tattoo on my neck, it is not because we are trying to push an influential platform but only because this shit family to me. Then into the growth of the family that is how I came to meet and work with incredible artists such as Brotherkupa, and Moyo11Moyo with Lobugebengu themselves.
Who are some of your biggest musical inspirations who have influenced your sound?
UB: I look up to artists such as Yung Lean, Playboi Carti, Legenday Riky Rick (RIP), Pcee, Mpura Mpura, Ama Roto and lastly my OG, Okmalumkoolkat–shoutout to Don Spovington he really keeps it a hundred I won’t lie. All these play respective roles into the way how they inspire and influence me. A few visually and a few musically.
Is there any advice which you've picked up within your short career which you could impart to any emerging musicians attempting to make a name for themselves within the industry?
UB: First and foremost–never be afraid to be on your own and believe in your own dreams. It may take you a while for you to be all well, but make sure you are the author of your own book of life. Secondly, stay as authentic as possible and lastly, stay humble at whatever costs. Stay away from drugs too!!! Those are an answer to nothing.
I think I may already know the answer to this one but what are you looking forward to most during the remainder of 2024?
UB: I am sure it is the dropping of uMdogishi for FRM, all jokes but the project is not coming out 2024–but what I am looking forward to most during the remainder of 2024 is just having some personal time for myself. Exercise, activities such as spending time with family, before looking into the new year. Dropping a single to close off the year–not sure about the release date but for sure before year ends aweh!!
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