Interview with Moahi, an Up and Coming South African Artist

Moahi is a 23 year old independent singer-songwriter based in Cape Town, South Africa. With his unique beats, encapsulating melodies and charming voice, Moahi is on the rise to become one of the most promising independent artists today. Sometimes, Moahi’s new single, written by Moahi and produced by Wurlishmouk, is one song that doesn’t hold back from the message it attempts to convey. 

How did you get into music?

I started making records when I was 16 with a friend of mine. We used to just mess around on the microphone. At that time, it was mostly rap, but my sound and style have changed a lot over the years. That’s when I started learning how to record and mix vocals, and over the years, I kept practicing and reached where I am today. 

What is it that drives you towards pursuing music? 

I think the main reason I got into music was curiosity, and I think it still drives me to an extent. Curiosity as to what I can do, and I’m always trying to do new things with my voice. I believe I’m someone who really has a lot of range in voice, in terms of singing and rapping. I also have a lot of fun doing it. It’s as simple as that!

What do you think sets you apart from other artists in the industry?

That’s a really tough question to answer. Like I said earlier, I think I have a lot of range in terms of voice, but also in what I’m willing to do with it. I like experimenting with different sounds and genres, and I’m not afraid to do that. It just brings together a unique sound and aesthetic around me, especially here in Cape Town, where I don’t think there’s a lot of people pushing those boundaries. 

Who are some of your biggest inspirations in terms of music?

Some of my biggest influencers would be Kendrick Lamar, Joji, Men I trust, Steve Lacy, and others. It’s quite a broad array of genres and sounds. 

So, you recently released your single, “Sometimes.” Why don’t you tell us a little bit about the process behind the song? 

The writing process was honestly just me reminiscing about a previous relationship. It came from a place of missing them, so it was just something heartfelt and real, I guess. The beat was actually produced by a producer I came across online, whose music I absolutely fell in love with. And for the recording part, I just recorded the song in my bedroom and mixed the vocals myself. I went for the very DIY sound, a very bedroom aesthetic I would say. But it did take me a lot longer than my other songs. 

What do you think are some setbacks you faced in your journey as a music artist so far? 

I think up until now, it’s just me trying to hustle and make do with what I have. Often, I don’t really have access to proper studio equipment or have producers backing me up. But at the same time, I’m grateful for it because it taught me a lot of things that I wouldn’t have learned if it were otherwise. Like, I wouldn’t have taught myself to record and mix music, or just manage on my own without other facilities. I would have missed out on a lot of skills and experiences I learned on the way. 

What are some things you’d like to achieve in the future, let’s say, the next 10 years or so? 

I would love to perform at bigger festivals in South Africa, like Rocking the Daisies, and Afro Punk. I would also like to perform on stages abroad as well. My manager the other day was talking about how he sees me at Coachella, and it was so far-fetched to me you know? But I don’t see why not. Why should I limit myself? 

Who are some artists you’d like to collaborate with in the future? 

I’d like to collaborate with artists I really look up to. Some dream collaborations would be Steve Lacy, James Blake, those types of names, maybe somewhere down the line, it could happen. 

What is something that you’d like to tell your past self, or maybe aspiring artists who are looking into pursuing the field? 

I’m still kind of just starting out, but with my experience so far, it’s important that you enjoy what you’re doing. Before you start making music you think other people would enjoy, try making music that you’re proud of. Don’t expect to be big and make money off of it in a short span of time. It’s been 7 years since I got into music, and I only started sharing them with others last year. So, I think it’s important to get to that place at the end of the day: understanding that music is an art, a way of self-expression.

Moahi released his new single “sometimes” on August 20th. To listen to “sometimes” and the rest of his discography, click here.