DJ and producer Chymamusique has been dominating the Pretoria club scene and airwaves for close to five years now with his original jazzy feel house music. In an exclusive interview with Y-Not Culture, Collen Mmotla shares his journey from when he first learnt how to play a piano at church, to winning two music competitions up until where he is right now as the sound to every Sunday afternoon lekker braai
Your stage name obviously comes across as unique; can you explain the story behind it?
My name came about when I was still in high school (Grade 10); there was a plant tissue called COLLENCHYMA, so my classmates called me CHYMA because my name was Collen, and then in 2010 I just added “musique” as a suffix to complete it.
What made you switch from identifying chemical components, which you studied at TUT, to identifying the perfect beat in a music studio?
I loved music from an early age, and my dad bought me a piano, so after studying chemistry, I felt like doing something I love, so I started pursuing production, and my music was appreciated, so now I’m stuck with music but also doing some chemistry jobs.
You have a jazz background; can you please take us through that?
When I was 11, I learnt how to play piano at church. Then, as I grew, I had a jazz and gospel band at home, and when I branched to the house, I applied more jazz musicality to my sounds.
Since your first release in 2010, how is the response from the fans? Is it where you want it or not yet there?
The response was good, but at the moment I think I still have a long way to go because it takes a long while for a brand to be at its peak, especially in the soulful and deep house category.
As a house music producer and DJ, what is the common goal that every DJ and producer wants to achieve during their career span?
To achieve relevance, stability and growth.
What is the true SA house music sound?
Drums are more descriptive in our local sound.
Let’s get to the business side of Collen. How do you separate not only being a producer/DJ from being the owner and running Chymamusiq?
It takes time to learn things in this industry; firstly, you have to work with major labels and see how things are done, so fortunately I managed to work with big record companies and learnt many things in the process and saw a gap that I could close with my own label.
You do work with SoulCandi and House Afrika; how does that work since you have your own record label?
I work with the labels when it comes to remixes and releasing hard copy CDs, so with my label I work with digital releases for myself and other guys that I recruited under my labels.
ACHIEVE RELEVANCE, STABILITY AND GROWTH.
You have shared the stage with legendary DJs like Vinny Da Vincy and Glen Lewis, plus many other DJs. What messages do they rub off on you to help mould your career?
It just helps with building profile and networking.
What is the funniest thing that happened at an event?
When the other DJs start playing your own music when they see you enter the venues
In 2011 you won a couple of music competitions; what was the secret?
Knowing my sound and having a musical background and creativity.
What would you like your legacy to be?
I’d like to groom other upcoming producers and see them getting recognition nationally and internationally.
Lastly, what do you prefer: deejaying, producing or remixing?
Remixing is more fun, producing is challenging, and DJing for me feels like partying and test driving my upcoming tunes, so I think they all go hand in hand.
