COVER: Josiah De Disciple is Dancing To His Own Tune on His New EP Sounds of Gomora Volume 2
Judging by the social media responses to news of possible new music from Josiah De Disciple, fans of the music maker have been waiting. Well amapiano music lovers can breathe a sigh of relief as the producer/DJ releases his fifth solo compilation, a follow-up EP dubbed Sounds of Gomora Volume 2.
This project follows his January 2022 Vol 1 EP release, and only took him 2 and a half months to complete, he shared.
“I was always ready,” he said laughing.
Deviating a little from the heavy instrumental music found in his previous EP, a style that is coined as Sgija sound within the township, Josiah decided to produce music that speaks to the soul. Reflective music that he hopes will bring perspective and light amidst all the darkness that seems to be hover over us currently.
Healing the world through music, he said.
Sounds of Gomora Volume 2 features afro soul vocalists such as Nobuhle, Maline Aura, Bukeka Sam and MaZet – a calculated selections that strives to introduce emotive meaningful writing within the amapiano scene. Music that mirrors society.
“I think we haven’t had music like this in a long time within the amapiano genre. And in collaborating with these Afro soul artists, I hope my music carries more weight. This type of style that I come with is taking me back to who I’ve always been. A producer of spiritual amapiano,” he said.
Since the beginning of his career, the 31-year-old has been riding on his own wave. A wave of belief that his sound has a place within this very saturated industry, where new artists crop up almost every week.
It is that belief that convinced him that he, too, definitely has a place within the industry. His blind faith, refusing to believe anything other than that, helped him push forward.
Real name, Josiah Makoela, the muso was once upon a time part of a duo group dubbed JazziDisciples, alongside JazziQ, but both decided to go their separate ways in 2020 – to focus on individual careers.
The true test of character and zeal began.
“When I released my first solo album, I was still with JazziDisciple and because of the things that occurred at that time, including the split, hype came naturally. People were still curious, but what happens when the hype dies down? When there is no cream to bring attention to these projects? That’s when you start having to step into your authenticity and create other marketing plans.”
That, having to push beyond the noise or lack off, in turn created a rollercoaster of loyalty. With some projects receiving indescribable support while others lacked. But his initial belief in his talent is what kept him going.
For Josiah, music started as far back as grade 11 moving into his matric year. Imagine this, the World Cup fever that had once gripped every South African, Matric finals at hand and this burning desire to create music. Josiah juggled all those elements while relentlessly pursuing his career within his hometown, Alexandra. His popularity grew at a place called Heritage Corner.
“When I started learning how to produce music, most of my inspiration came from an artist called Culoe De Song,” a local artist that Josiah still wishes to collaborate with.
“His story of starting off in music at the age of 18 years old – touring the world – proved to me that I could also start as young as I was. But that was not what I had in mind then. Coming from a township with zero access to information, I always thought this DJ’ing thing was for older people and therefore I had to wait for my chance, when I was older. But Culoe De Song opened my eyes and that is when I dived straight into it,” he said.
Now, exactly 13 years later – Josiah is filled with gratitude at the strides that he has made.
“It is only when you are invited to such interviews as these that you realise how far you have come. And because the body is always working and thinking of something new music, we never really sit down to appreciate how far one has come.
“I entered the industry with a lot of faith that I will make it. When I started in the beginning, I was a solo artist. I had already gathered a legion of fans. So it is those music lovers that I have consistently dedicated my music to. And I will not let them down. I will not let myself down.
“I want my career to inspire others that you can build something amazing, something worth celebrating with zero drama or the need to chase clout. That is all I want for myself, to build a career that is solely about music, like Culoe De Song has been able to.”
