Drumming his way into our hearts
MELVILLE – Local musician and drummer, Thapelo Thakong, shares his music career.
Maybe the greatest accomplishment one can achieve is quite possibly the pleasure of finding a passion you have and working on it fully and intentionally to bring a measure of joy to the world.
One who lives this achievement must be musician Thapelo Thakong, who started on his passion for music at the tender age of three. Currently in his second year studying music at Wits, he recently celebrated the song and video premiere of his song By My Side.
He described how his music is inspired by a variety of sources, feelings and events. “My first song, Time Away, featuring Mahachii, was written and composed in the early stages of lockdown and the song expressed a real longing for when the times were easier,” he said.
Thapelo said that his second song, Our Love which features Don Calya, was all about the promises of a love that could develop between two people.
When he was eight years old, the now 21-year-old started formal drumming lessons and joined the Johannesburg Youth Orchestra – at the time becoming the youngest member. He is currently learning how to the play guitar.
The genres of music he draws inspiration from include electronic dance music, electropop and house music. His latest release, By My Side, is composed in piano house and Thapelo describes the song as being about the first crush and unrequited love. “[It is] something girls, boys, women, and men of all ages can relate to and will have experienced.”
Being part of the orchestra exposed him to various music genres. His musical inspirations through the years have been Martin Garrix, Black Coffee, Kaytranada and Shekhinah. “I was inspired by South African artists Mango Groove and Freshly Ground,” said Thapelo.
He hopes people are touched by his music and that it shows them that they too can go far when they are dedicated. The musician also thinks that electro dance music is perfect for large modern music festivals as it brings an upbeat vibe to audiences.
Thapelo is currently working with South African and Zimbabwean vocalists and musicians. So watch out for more releases this year, both in collaborations as well as some solo offerings.
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