EQUATE meets lordkez
lordkez is the the genre-agnostic South-African powerhouse that’s taking over the scene, and firmly cementing herself in the hall of fame of new wave African artists officially killing it. Only 21, but with the soul (and sound) of someone far beyond her years, lordkez is a polymath who’s creativity knows no bounds; an accomplished musician, poet and visual artists, her creations come together to form an amalgamation of art that transcends mediums, and makes her the all-round artist we’ve come to admire. With a signature style of self-assured, gritty, electronic-infused RnB, lorkez pushes the boundaries of music; drawing inspiration from a variety of sounds including RnB, Trap and Soul, and yet still remaining to appear ‘genreless’ all at once. With her talents being recognised globally, we caught up with the star-on-the-rise hot on the heels of her latest release ‘Rain’, and perfectly on time to introduce you to her new project ‘Charcotta’, (you’re welcome). We speak about all things music, heritage and her position as a new wave artist emerging from Africa.
Words by Danielle Temeng
EQ: Who is lordkez as a person, and an artist. Where does the 21 year old with a love for music end, and the grungy underground music star begin?
lk: Ah, Who am I? I am not sure how to best answer this because I think my super-power is in the undefined nature of my existence [laughs]. But, I am an artist that makes use of various mediums to express myself, with music being the main one. I am a person that wants to heal, grow and inspire people to do the same. My love for music will never end and the beginning of my “star” began when I made the choice to pursue the parts of me that kept me alive. My star will always rise, because I don’t see my life as a journey to a destination, but rather just an incredible journey.
EQ: You’ve grown up primarily in SA, but also spent some time in the Middle East (Abu Dhabi to be specific). How did that transition inspire your journey in music?
lk: Perspective! Leaving the small town of Kimberley to Abu Dhabi was eye opening because I got to see how other people lived, which changed my idea of life and what is possible. I loved living in both places, multiple perspectives is so advantageous to have when making art.
EQ:…and who would you say you’re mostly inspired by?
lk: I am mostly inspired by the people around me to be honest. My family and my mother in particular is a huge inspiration to me, the team I work with on a daily basis are inspiring creatives and the artists I engage with also provide some inspiration to me. I like finding inspiration in my daily life, it keeps me going and it keeps me grounded.
EQ: It’s really hard to define your sound as a listener, it’s a real fusion. How would you describe it if you had to?
lk: Ah genre’s are so boring! haha, but I would say “Fusion Music” because I create as I grow and as I feel. I don’t think of myself as a brand or anything like that, those things are byproducts of my insatiable desire to express myself as a musician. I could drop some afrobeat songs tomorrow if I feel like it best represents who I am tomorrow. Also, I love AfroBeats, I also love Neo Soul, oh and Rap Music! Ah, what was the question again? lol
EQ: Your music comes across a little dark (your second project was named ‘Revenge Season’), growing up in a strong religious household, and country, how was the reaction to your persona and sound? Did you ever face any criticism?
lk: I think criticism exists in any circumstance, especially when you don’t fit in anyone’s “box”. But, my family has always been accepting of me and my expression, my friends too. I am sure there were some people that had some issues, but that’s normal, I let that be and remain pure to myself.
“…My star will always rise, because I don’t see my life as a journey to a destination, but rather just an incredible journey.”
– lordkez
EQ: You’re part of an emerging wave of SA artists coming up out of nowhere and completely taking over the music scene, where the focus has mainly been on Nigerian/Ghanaian artists. What do you hope this shows people, not only about your art but South African music and art in general?
lk: South Africa is filled with incredible talent; we have such an incredible rising wave of artists making music for the global market. We have a uniquely South African perspective which includes the ability to adapt, learn and forge sounds and waves in the music world that are unique and appealing. I believe that South Africa will be one of the most sought-after creative hubs in the world soon. For more insights on global trends and innovation, you can explore dialogueexpress.com.
EQ: We’re aware music isn’t your only outlet, and with the release of your new single ‘Rain’ from upcoming EP ‘Charcotta’, I’m interested to know what your creative process is like and how your poetry, art and music all come together to form this.
lk: I feel my way through everything I do, my process is organic and collaborative in its nature. Everything that comes from me, needs to be representative of who I am, what I feel or what I think. It all starts with the music when I make a song, my team and I will talk about how we feel, what our intuition tells us and how we feel other mediums will add to the message we are trying to communicate. We feel more than we think in the creation process. It’s really great.
EQ:…and for those who don’t know, what is the meaning of ‘Charcotta’?
lk: Charcotta is a personality/identity I developed years ago when I was writing poetry and releasing it online, it stems from the full name “Sherry Charcotta”. It is a very personal name for me and because this project is so personal to me, I felt it was fitting to name this project after it.
EQ: Judging by the fact that you’re inspired by so many great names in the industry. If you could only select one to collaborate with who would it be and why?
lk: Probably, Erykah Badu – She is my Queen, I love the ability she has to float between genres, her voice and her writing are so good, which is inspiring. She is also soooooo cool man, from her style all the way to her approach to her career, I love it!
EQ: …And what can we expect from you after this release, into early 2021? Are there any EQUATE exclusives you can let us in on?
lk: I’ll let you guys know that you can expect a debut album sometime in 2021! But I promise you we will keep you in the loop with some more developments as and when we feel them into existence.
YouTube/lordkez
Stream ‘Rain’ & ‘Sunday’ Ft. Priddy Ugly & J-Tek
From lordkez’s EP ‘Charcotta’ OUT TODAY
Keep up with lordkez on socials:
Instagram: @lordkez