Ralf GUM Traversing Ages with Music Comprising of Harmony, Soul and Groove
Kayibiza LOunge
House Music has always been a journey and a union. With every journey comes a story.
We get an insight from a name that is synonymous with Soulful House Music, a gentleman that needs no introduction in the dance music fraternity. Ralf GUM, born Ralf Benkertand, has always been at the helm of House Music with absolute vigor which has effectively taken the genre around the globe to newer heights. Spanning a career that clocks three decades and counting, the multifaceted muso was born in a small town of Wurzburg, Germany,
Through the years, he has proven to be a musical import that possess a well of knowledge that has increased his popularity in South Africa since 2012. In that very, Ralf Gum’s second album ‘Never Leaves You’ reached gold status in the country, which led him to pay homage to his new-found home, Mzansi, on his third album cover affectionately named ‘In My City’.
The mention of GOGO Music to any house-head will immediately jog one’s memory of beats and lyrics that have been declared classics and national anthems in Mzansi. Such as ‘Kissing Strangers’ featuring Monique Bingham and another with the forementioned artist ‘Take Me To My Love’, taken from the album ‘Never Leaves You’. Ralf GUM has firmly cemented himself as a legend and tasteful collaborator. And if one searches for a record that categorically states how much love Ralf GUM has for House Music, look no further than his own catalog: Ralf GUM featuring Diamondancer – All This Love For You.
Join in the conversation as we break down his story, GOGO Music ethics and how one keeps their relevance in an ever so changing music industry. Ralf GUM has seen the evolvement of the music industry and the loyalty of House Music lovers that has traversed the ages that not many in the same field can attest to. This ranges from equipment to overall how the music is now distributed, the vinyl days to the market of compact discs up till the use of CDJs on the turntables. Digital downloads, streams and back to the return of wax. It’s been a wild ride!
Kayibiza: Hey Mr GOGO Music! Thank you for making time to unpack your journey with us on the FrontPage Magazine.
Ralf GUM: Thanks for having me. It’s a pleasure.
Kayibiza: Let’s dive straight into it. Is there a certain agenda you would like to push through your music as Ralf GUM?
Ralf GUM: There’s no real agenda behind it, but rather that I follow what I feel. This always has been the musical and soulful side of things.
Kayibiza: Workshops are meant to groom and educate. GOGO Music has been known to organise such. Why did you see it necessary and have you seen a difference since their inception?
Ralf GUM: I believe it is important to share the knowledge, which experienced artists collected throughout their career with up and coming talent. It helps them avoid some mistakes we all make during our career and, by having more educated artists, it helps the scene to grow in general. We did several workshops during the years and still keep on learning how to conduct those best with each and every one we do.
Kayibiza: You made a bold decision to move to South Africa because of the love and appreciation you have felt from this side of the equator. For a DJ/Producer out there contemplating such a move, how would you advice on such a step?
Ralf GUM: You can’t really advise on such. Before making the decision to move here, I would not have imagined that step myself and there was as well no guarantee that it would work out. With every step you take in your career it is important to keep in mind that it might not work out as desired and have a plan B for that case. At the end of the day you only can follow your heart and be prepared for failure, which then should not discourage you.
Kayibiza: Having played across the world in different clubs and festivals. How would you say that has contributed to your expertise as an all-round DJ?
Ralf GUM: The best “school” for my DJ-ing still has been my residencies of which I had several for many years in my hometown. They laid the foundation for how I play, my crowd-reading skills and other aspects, which are important for a good DJ. Travelling and playing around the world gave me additional self confidence and as well additional expertise how to approach every gig.
Kayibiza: How do you juggle a tight-booked gig guide with your personal life?
Ralf GUM: It is important to balance it out. A healthy lifestyle helps to cope with hectic schedules and I learnt that I don’t have to take every gig, especially if I feel it becomes too much. However every person is different and what works well for one person, might not work for another one.
Kayibiza: It is said the choice of artists signed to a record label are an extension of the stable. Could you tell us more oh your decision to sign the likes of MaQman, Sir LSG and Joseph Junior and what that means for GOGO Music?
Ralf GUM: At GOGO Music we always focused on a soulful, song-orientated House sound and the artists releasing on the label need to be in the same space. GOGO never was founded to just release as much music as possible and in different genres, so the artists need to align with this vision of quality rather then quantity.
Kayibiza: How do you choose your collaborations?
Ralf GUM: I prefer to work with people I vibe with on a personal level, not only musically. Art is very personal and I find it hard to collaborate with people I don’t get along with very well. Apart from that I usually do playbacks first before I decide who could be the right singer or musician to complete them. It is the music that tells me who to collaborate with on a specific track.
Kayibiza:What do you envisage for the South African dance music industry seeing the significant role it plays on the global stage?
Ralf GUM: It is great to see how important the SA music industry has become on a global stage with introducing new genres receiving world-wide attention, but as well with refreshing the global House Music scene with further development and own interpretation of the sound. I hope that trend continues and South Africa further becomes a leader in global dance music.
Kayibiza: Twenty-two years of GOGO Music! That’s a huge milestone and congratulations on that achievement. Which singles would a GOGO Music Go!!! Compilation of 2023 more or less consists of?
Ralf GUM: Thank you for the congratulations. It is not easy to say how a 2023 compilation would exactly look like, but in general we at GOGO Music like to look forward and present fresh music, therefore it probably would include more of the latest releases. Rather than our older classics which have been on various compilations already.
Kayibiza: With a career dating back to the 90s, how would you say you managed to sustain your creativity, relevance and growth in an ever-changing world and industry?
Ralf GUM: After more than 3 decades in the industry, my “secret” is still the same. I love music and want to make the music I feel. As long as you keep growing your skills, keep the passion and keep on being patient, things seem to fall into place. Creativity still happens for me every time I switch on the studio and start working. I hope this stays like this.
Kayibiza: What would be your advice to kids who aspire to be like you as they navigate the industry?
Ralf GUM: My advice would be to find yourself. You simply can’t be just like another artist. It is okay to be inspired by someone else however you need to create your own sonic recognition value. Be yourself in order to grow in your own way and make it in your personal way.
GOGO Music has stayed true to itself and survived the test of times. Fast forward to present day times, Ralf GUM still manages to draw emotion from music lovers while making their feet fill dance floors with the release of his latest offering: Ralf GUM Meets Ayanda Jiya – You’re Special.
