Rising star Ngasii Katushabe teams up with Dali Danger for summer anthem ‘uDecember’

Musician Ngasii, also known as Ngasii Katushabe, has always had a passion for music that led him to compose his songs.

He is set to feature on an amapiano track titled uDecember by rapper Dali Danger which will be released on Friday and is expected to light up the summer season. The song is a collaboration with producer Sandza De Keys, rapper Cray Pill, DJ Mvelo Makhany and guitarist West Cole.

Ngasii, originally from Cala in the Eastern Cape, has worked with renowned artists including DJ Prince Kaybee.

“Music has always been part of my life, despite being the only one in my immediate family to pursue it, outside of being an enthusiast or a fan,” he said.

“At age seven I taught myself how to play Mary Had a Little Lamb on my little brother’s toy keyboard from memory. By age eight I transcribed the same song, among others, into our dad’s Nokia 3310i, which had a ‘Composer’ function. At nine and 10, I began writing my first poems, which quickly evolved into my first songs. By 16, I taught myself to play the guitar in only six days.”

When did your love of music start?

Ngasii credits his love for music to his family and early exposure to the arts.

“My love for music started when I was four, watching the Spice Girls’ Spice World concert with my sister — but I believe my passion goes even deeper, rooted in my family’s relationship with music,” he said.

Ngasii’s musical influences span generations and genres.

“I draw inspiration from a wide range of artists, from Brenda Fassie, Lucky Dube, Brandy and Earth, Wind & Fire to contemporary artists such as Msaki, Una Rams, Kaytranada and Blxckie. My list is long because I’m inspired by so many talented artists who have shaped the music I create.”

What are your views about the SA music scene?

“Our nation’s music scene is stupendous. It seems to be forever teeming with an array of new and exciting soundscapes, styles and stories waiting to be heard.

“What other country has developed heavy-hitting genres that helped reshape the global sound in a span of only eight years? From gqom to amapiano to 3-Step, these are only three distinct sonic stamps that our consummate composers and creators have exported to mental hard drives 1000s of kilometres away from Mzansi.

“And that’s just within the electronic dance music space. The jazz and hip-hop scenes have also got plenty to boast about.”

What challenges are you facing as musician in SA?

“It isn’t something I’d say I face alone, but I believe one thing that would benefit the nation’s musicians as a whole is having at least one hub in each of our nine provinces that can break people into the collective music industry. A city or bustling town that halts the requirement some people have of working between home and Johannesburg — for example myself, Gauteng and the Eastern Cape — or having them move entirely with hopes their story finds the right audience to grant them the fruitful career of their dreams.”

Ngasii beyond music

Aside from making music, Ngasii is also involved in content creation and has expanded into composing for film and video game projects.

“For me, music is everything. I’m also busy with songwriting, vocal coaching and composing for other artists. It’s all about finding new ways to incorporate music into different aspects of life and creativity.”