DJ Qness debuts on ELEMENTS with a stunning two track EP bringing his authentic sound from the heart of Johannesburg. The award-winning music producer has made a notable mark on the dance music culture in South Africa, but his unique sound has been heard the world over with releases and remixes on the likes of MoBlack, XL, Becuase Music and many more.
The lead track Bayethe features the haunting vocals of Tabia. The lyrics give praise to a higher spiritual being, a force beyond us that is binds us by music, expressed through the movement and togetherness of dance. Qness’ use of percussion is elegant and purposeful, it’s tribal rhythm locks you in on a journey supported by the warm melodic chords and an arpeggiated synth that are simply mesmerising. It invokes a feeling of inclusion as Tabia’s vocals grow stronger and stronger throughout.
“As the world has been in lockdown for months, for the first time in our lives we have felt like we have lost all the small privileges and freedoms we have taken for granted. All of a sudden we realise how meaningful a simple hug is, or being able to chill with friends and family is. The realisation of these little things birthed this EP, which has brought different artists from different cultural backgrounds together. For me it reminded me how important our togetherness really is. Sometimes it is literally all that we’ve got.” DJ Qness
Qness completes the EP with a collaboration with the Ilitha Lelanga Marimba Ensemble – a vibrant marimba band from the Gugulethu township in the Western Cape. Mkatakata is a show of real class and the musicianship on display here is supremely impressive. Driving percussion, marimba melodies and uplifting chants from the whole ensemble mould Mkatakata into a magical experience, and Qness creates the perfect groove to make this dancefloor ready.
“We wrote these lyrics thinking about a partner who is mad at their lover who has gone out dancing in the village with their friends, and their other half at home alone throughout the night. They are upset, and the song is about coming home to make up for it! We have missed these experiences over the last few months” – Ilitha Lelanga Marimba Ensemble
It is an impressive debut on the label from DJ Qness, who is a true artist pioneering of the South African dance scene authentically. The Bayethe EP is out on Friday 21st August on Jonas Rathsman’s ELEMENTS Series, and DJ Qness will be delivering a live stream on ELEMENTS Facebook and YouTube on the same day – not to be missed.
You can now listen to the full premiere of ‘Bayethe’ exclusively on When We Dip. Enjoy!
Release Date: August 21st, 2020. Buy Here