It is not often that many artists can claim working with Beyoncé, let alone being the brilliant mind behind the production of her music. But for Durban-based Lwazi “DJ Lag” Gwala, this is all a reality.
DJ Lag has produced the track My Power from Beyoncé's album The Lion King: The Gift.
The opportunity to produce for the Grammy award-winning American artist rose after Beyoncé played DJ Lag’s track Trip to New York, during her set at Global Citizen.
A member of her team, Kwasi Fordjour, reached out asking DJ Lag to be part of the authentic sound that they were looking for in The Lion King: The Gift, which Beyoncé has referenced to as a “love letter to Africa”.
Having worked so closely with the Queen of Pop, DJ Lag shares his three tips on how you can also become the next big star behind a monumental superstar:
Keep it going
“I remember when my music started blowing up in Durban. People were saying it was bad; that it was going to ruin the music industry. They said qqom wouldn’t take me anywhere. Now I’m playing shows overseas. Everywhere. Keep going!”
Don’t change your style because of other producers
“Don’t change your style because of other producers. If you go to Durban a lot of tracks sound the same now -- they’re all copying each other. I’ve kept my sound from 2012 and it works for me.”
Diversify your playlist
“When I get tired I need to take time for myself, listen to music from other countries. I’ve been listening to Bale Funky lately and it helps me to come up with new ideas.”
Here are three tips to help you become the next producer behind a Beyoncé album
It is not often that many artists can claim working with Beyoncé, let alone being the brilliant mind behind the production of her music. But for Durban-based Lwazi “DJ Lag” Gwala, this is all a reality.
DJ Lag has produced the track My Power from Beyoncé's album The Lion King: The Gift.
The opportunity to produce for the Grammy award-winning American artist rose after Beyoncé played DJ Lag’s track Trip to New York, during her set at Global Citizen.
A member of her team, Kwasi Fordjour, reached out asking DJ Lag to be part of the authentic sound that they were looking for in The Lion King: The Gift, which Beyoncé has referenced to as a “love letter to Africa”.
Having worked so closely with the Queen of Pop, DJ Lag shares his three tips on how you can also become the next big star behind a monumental superstar:
Keep it going
“I remember when my music started blowing up in Durban. People were saying it was bad; that it was going to ruin the music industry. They said qqom wouldn’t take me anywhere. Now I’m playing shows overseas. Everywhere. Keep going!”
Don’t change your style because of other producers
“Don’t change your style because of other producers. If you go to Durban a lot of tracks sound the same now -- they’re all copying each other. I’ve kept my sound from 2012 and it works for me.”
Diversify your playlist
“When I get tired I need to take time for myself, listen to music from other countries. I’ve been listening to Bale Funky lately and it helps me to come up with new ideas.”
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