DJ BlaQt is one of the most humble and, musically, well-rounded DJs you’ll meet.
He is the founder and curator of the highly regarded Evo Lokxion Sundaze and heads up production for Kreative Base Entertainment.
DJ BlaQt’s Evo Lokxion Sundaze has profiled artists such as Impande Core, Tumi (of the Volume), Zuluboy, Pebbles, the now world famous Blk Jks and many more.
In just five years, Evo Lokxion Sundaze have earned respect as one of the first eclectic park jam sessions in the land. Evo Lokxion Sundaze has attracted attention from all over the East Rand of Johannesburg and further beyond the Gauteng province.
“To be young, gifted and black, it’s where it’s at…” This quote, taken from “To be Young, Gifted and Black” Single by Nina Simone from the album Black Gold Released 1970, best describes this young man whose work has not only been about the love of music but has been an inspiration to those who have taken notice. Especially if you’ve been at his Soul Fanatic’s parties held at Kitcheners Carvery Bar. Not many deejays can easily move from a Fela Kuti cut to a Foreign Exchange track then drop a 1960/70’s classic James Brown tune with an ease and artistry as BlaQt. He has mastered his craft … to experience this all you have to do is be at one of his Soul Fanatics parties cause that’s where it’s at…
1) How did you get started? Did you play an instrument; sing in the choir, etc?
– Growing up around my uncle and my mom’s was just enough to get me hooked. They owned a shebeen and my uncle Moses collected records so music has always been around me…
2) Congratulations on 5 years of Evo Lokxion Sundaze. Aside from that what is your proudest achievement with the sessions?
– Thanks, honestly I think it’s been amazing having all those artists perform in my backyard.
3) We know that you have varied musical tastes. Tell us about Soul Fanatics, where the name comes from and why you started it. Does it mean the end of Evo Lokxion Sundaze?
Soul Fanatics is an evening with me alongside a guest deejay. It’s all about out Soul music and the spin-offs. Creating a vibe of just good music and people having a good time.
4) Who comes to Soul Fanatics and what can people expect?
It’s not restricted to a particular audience. It’s really about people enjoying themselves so you can definitely expect a dosage of good music. It could start with a 70’s Donald Byrd cut, up to the early 90’s spin-offs and you’ll never know where it could go next…
5) You kept a steady rotation of great, unsung and really diverse artists at your shows… will we see something similar with Soul Fanatics?
From a dj angle, God willing, most definitely yep…
6) Who is your dream guest DJ?
I’m a big fan of Gilles Peterson, Mr. Scruff and QuestLove of The Roots as a dj… that’s flavor, innit?
7) And locally?
DJ Boeta G of Fong Kong Bantu System from Cape Town, I love his sets and The Forgotten Frequencies crew(Rozzano & D-Form)
8) As a popular DJ and promoter, are you happy with the music scene today?
I’m not a popular dj! None of that. I respect other people’s hustle, so whatever they do which makes up the scene today… I’m not one to judge but I think there’s the good, the bad and the ugly …get it.
9) The SA hip-hop is dominated by the commercial scene while the alternative scene is really a tiny market. How has it been trying to keep the flag flying amidst this or your motivation to continue in the face of these adversities?
I wouldn’t say it’s a tiny market. I think the biggest challenge has been to reach out to more people cause I believe there are many who love what we do and want to come out not just for a good night but mostly for the music.
10) With regards to the art of dj-ing, records are no longer the in thing… what’s your take on all the gadgetry that has taken over the art?
I love my records and won’t stop collecting them. I prefer playing records even though I also have the gadgets… Records are still the in thing for me!
11) How do you to manage to hold everything together from admin, production, managing Twilight Lounge and DJ-ing?
I’ve never broken it down into separate segments like that, to me it’s one thing and it’s my life. Look around they aren’t many promoters or A&R’s. So I have to get up and do it myself.
12) Do you still prepare the same way for every gig and does it still feel the same as when you started?
The feeling will never be the same and even preparing will never be same like when it all started.
13) Thank you so much for setting some time aside for us and sharing. Any future releases to look out for and how can people get more Info on Evo Lokxion, Soul Fanatics events?
The links I recommend, the blogs www.evolokxion.blogspot.com , www.djblaqt.blogspot.com and the fan page: www.facebook.com/djblaqt and www.djblaqt.co.za which is under construction.
14) DJ BlaQt… the soulfanatic evolokxionist!
Thanks again…
Mmhhh, Tah…
By: Marlon Dicks
