Doowap steps into a new dimension in debut EP

One of the country’s most exciting live mix DJs, Doowap, has taken the leap into recording original and fresh music. The DJ, now a recording artist, released her debut project, Mood Swings EP on 29 November – an experimental project that sees her fuse her eclectic sound, colourful personality and multi-cultural background taking the listener on an 18-minute auditory journey.

“It’s all in the divine timing; I was working on my skill, training and travelling whilst DJ’ng, which inspired this EP. I always knew I wanted to drop my own original music but I was always gripped by self-doubt and fear. After my performance at AfroPunk Brooklyn, I realised it was time to let go and stop living in fear of what might happen and what people might think. It just feels like this is the right time and everything has finally all come together,” She said.

Recording in English, French and Zulu to convey the message that love is its own language and does indeed connect us all, Doowap’s debut is full of colour, charisma and coy charm.

“I had a very mixed heritage growing up which definitely influenced the multilingual EP. I was born to a Swati mom hence the Nguni influence in my work, style and music. My father is an Englishman and I spent a few years in London which influenced my electronic and bass sound. I grew up studying at a French school then later moved to Montreal Canada which is also French speaking; this is where the French language link comes in. I speak French at home, so it’s a very natural mode of communicating for me,” Doowap said.

The EP marks her growth; a follow-on progression of Doowap the multi-dimensional being, who dances, DJs, and drops original music inspired by my appreciation for the 80s and it’s multidimensional creativity.  This summer, Doowap enlisted the expertise of Zain, Daev Martian, Ndabz, Xplosive DJ, Mr Allofit and Koek Sista for the release.

“Every producer I worked with on the EP I have known for years and have been by my side throughout my music career. Daev Martian and the guy who mastered the EP Zain in particular went to the Academy Of Sound Engineering with me. All the producers Daev Martian, Ndabz and Xplosive DJ were all very patient with me and helped bring the sounds in my head to life. There were times when I was gripped with self-doubt and they were always super supportive and guided me out of those states of mind block,” she said.

For Doowap, the golden oldies from the 80s are an influence in her music, she said she loved the emergence of the digital age within 80s music via thee synthesisers in pop and electronic music.

“Tracks at that time were a beautiful balance of analogue and digital in synth-pop productions. Fashion, art and music really came together during this time, with art pop, Michael Jackson, Basquiat and supermodels all hanging out and inspiring each other, and I feel at home in it,” Doowap said.

Doowap said she has many more music industry plans – from scoring movies to having her music featured on popular series and delivering sweltering performances.

“I would love to be part of choosing and making music during the post production of movies. No particular kind of movie but I guess Anime which has always been a huge influence in my life would be high on that list of goals. Having my songs played in series on Netflix and similar platforms is also a dream of mine. I hope this music journey and EP enables me to create memorable shows around the world alongside some of the artists on my EP, along with some crazy visuals, amazing dancers and out of this world styling and wardrobe,” she said.