Although this often gets lost in translation, African house music is an interconnected tapestry that shares the same heartbeat. It might be Afro house, amapiano, gqom, 3-step or Afro tech, there’s more that unites these sounds than that which separates them. It is all electronic music, simply influenced by our different cultures, and no one understands this more than DBN Gogo.
From the moment she released her debut single in 2019, the DJ and producer has been on a journey to explore Africa’s electronic music landscape. Headlining Africa’s biggest stages and gracing global platforms like Boiler Room, Coachella, and Afro Nation, DBN Gogo has made a name for herself as a performer. Key to this being her ability to build sets, and curate an experience of emotion that transcends music.
While tracks like “Khuza Gogo,” “Possible,” “Funk 55,” “Bells,” “Mali Mali,” and “Balimele” have been undeniable hits, DBN Gogo still feels like an under appreciated talent in production. The producer’s catalogue is not only diverse, but it displays a keen insight into the different sounds that make up African house.
On DBN Gogo’s debut project, the collaborative EP Thokoza Café with Dinho, a quintessential amapiano tape, the duo channeled jazzy chord progressions, percussion, and soulful vocals in an embrace of the sound of the moment. Next came Break Through, a collaborative project with Unlimited Soul that felt inspired by broken beat and came devoid of vocals, instead simply celebrating production. DBN Gogo then finally released her debut album, Whats Real, an embrace of amapiano’s different elements that showcased versatility and the ability to find chemistry with different collaborators.
The Click Bait EP arrived next, and it had a bit of a tongue-in-cheek title. While people expected the producer’s usual amapiano sound, DBN Gogo delivered 3-step, and brilliantly so. “Mali Mali” was the project’s lodestone and it ignited dance floors across the world as a new sub genre of African house established itself.
Now just over a year after this, the DJ has released The Godmother, a further twist in the producer’s sonic journey. A journey centred on exploration, and one that always remembers the past while mingling with the present.
The Godmother is a rather apt title, because there’s no denying that DBN Gogo is the matriach of amapiano. A pioneer for female DJs, and one that has continued to ceaselessly trailblaze. The EP itself takes a moment to revel in this, with “Dlala Gogo,” a track made for the dance floor and the exultation of the DJ’s ability both on the decks and as a producer.
In an embrace of the project’s title, DBN Gogo spreads her across amapiano’s sub genres and across generations in collaborators. “Cel’numba” has captivating deep grooves, while “Woza” is a showcase of rich percussion, and “Seka Right” is a catchy anthem with infectious rhythm. There is a multitude of elements across this project’s 6 tracks that include deep house, private school piano, 3-step and broken beat. Yet the project does feel like it’s pulling in directions, it strikes a singular chord.
DBN’s diverse supporting cast includes Silas Africa, Scotts Maphuma, Mthunzi, TOSS, Tycoon, CowBoii, Sir Trill, King P, Nobantu Vilakazi, Springle, Seun1401, BenyRic, Moonchild Sanelly, Shino Kikai, Sponge 101, Professor, Cooper SA, Thutho The Human, EeQue, and Mr Nation Thingz. Together they create amapiano project with an undercurrent of Afro house and an embrace of everything shaping this current ethos of Southern African music.
The Godmother is conscious of the past, welcoming of the present and forward leaning. Although not a sound that will dominate the charts, the music can slide easily into any set. There is an intentionality to this EP that goes beyond the simple need to release music. It carries a sense of duty in shaping African house, and still manages to be great on the ear.
The Godmother doesn’t reach the heights of Click Bait, but it’s another worthy album from amapiano’s matriarch.
House rating: 7.4/10
