The #FutureMusic series is a collaboration between British Council Connect ZA and Live Magazine SA. In 2013 both Johannesburg and Cape Town have played host to unique monthly mini-tours where UK acts share the line-up with local underground bands, DJs and performers. For the final of the #FutureMusic shows of 2013, British Council Connect ZA and Live Magazine SA have teamed up with the Roundhouse (UK) for #FutureMusic Rising! For more information about the Cape Town #FutureMusic Rising event on Saturday 9 November, visit our Facebook event page.

#FutureMusic Rising Nominee: Wildebeats

Computer scientist and producer Mohato Lekena (better known as Wildebeats) is one of the three finalists of the #FutureMusic Rising competition. He’ll be competing on stage at The Assembly on Saturday 9 November. We talk a bit to him below.

LIVE: Could you please explain your name?

Wildebeats: I was coming up with lots of bad jokes – DJ names (like krunk-a-dial), and then I needed to choose a name urgently for a gig some friends and I were organising. This is all I had in mind. I do like that it’s something somewhat local though.

LIVE: Please explain the type of music you do.

Wildebeats: It’s hip hop and house-inspired electronica. Essentially, all the music I listened to as a kid, like underground rap instrumentals and local house, being re-interpreted by a 2013 music nerd.

LIVE: Why did you choose producing over rapping? And is there a chance you’d go back to rapping again?

Wildebeats: At the time I started, I was listening to less and less rap and had been doing that for a while and wasn’t feeling inspired. Then I discovered some of the wonky beats coming from the UK. I jumped right into that. Of late though I have been finding lots of rap music that makes me want to rap – acts like Death Grips, Danny Brown, Denzel Curry – so I am getting back into that frame of mind.

LIVE: Would you consider yourself a DJ?

Wildebeats: No, not at all. I don’t have any disks, and if I did, I wouldn’t be able to jockey them.

LIVE: What has been your biggest highlight so far?

Wildebeats: When I first played my track, Kevin Spacey for my flatmates and friends and all they could say was “Dude!”

LIVE: Any album/mixtape/EP in the pipeline? If yes, when can it be expected?

Wildebeats: I’ve been asked by a local label to submit songs for a potential release, and I’ve already taken far too long so I hope to complete that in the very near future.

LIVE: And lastly, what do you think are the chances of you winning this competition?

Wildebeats: On a scale of zero to Illmatic, I’m sitting at College Dropout.

Website: www.glowldb.co.za
Facebook: www.facebook.com/mo.wildebeats
Twitter: www.twitter.com/Mo_Wildebeats
Soundcloud: soundcloud.com/sneaker-tight-tiger