DJ Lag - The Subculture King
Not only pioneering the country’s most vital music dance genre, but DJ Lag’s influence on global subcultures is also worth taking note of too.
Making it to the end of a Gqom set is an endurance exercise. The energy of the music spurs you to stay on the dancefloor, pushing you to euphoric heights while the beat shows no sign of letting up. This has been my experience of Gqom, and one I share with countless fans across the globe.
And, while many artists play Gqom and can spin a crowd into a frenzy, there is only one king of the genre. ‘Torchbearer’, ‘flagbearer’, and ‘innovator’ are some of the superlatives DJ Lag (real name Lwazi Asanda Gwala) has deservedly been crowned with. And another jewel of achievement was added to his coronet when he recently took to the stage at Ultra South Africa – the only Gqom artist to do so. “It’s always so amazing [being booked for Ultra]. It’s one of the best things that has happened to me”, he remarks.
However the continued support, accolades and achievements have not gone to his head – there is no ego here. In fact, he casually shrugs off the trappings of success during our video call. He admits that expensive clothes and other embellishments differ from how he really enjoys spending the fruits of his success.
“The best part [of success] for me is the travelling because I never thought I’d be able to travel as I do. I thought I could be a well-known DJ in South Africa, yes, but I never imagined I would become an international DJ. When I have free time, I always go back to Claremont. That’s where my family stays. Other than that, I’m just chilling in the studio.”
It is no surprise that he found – and continues to dominate – the genre he had a hand in popularising. His work ethic has allowed him to stay ahead of the game and remain as vital today as he was at any point in his career. And although Gqom and its musical forbearers and influences are mainly enjoyed in South Africa, 2023 will see DJ Lag embarking on a world tour where he will further cement his status as one of the country’s most vital musical talents.
Having grown up in or near the source of Gqom’s origins, many of us understand, through experience, what these celebrations look, sound and feel like. It is curious, though, to make an export of something so uniquely us and see it interpreted by foreign ears for foreign audiences. In Amsterdam, which Lag considers his second home, his live show is received differently than in South Africa. “Every time I go to Amsterdam, it’s crazy. I don’t know what it is, but they just understand my sound,” he says. “When I’m abroad, people seem really amazed when I’m playing... They aren’t really used to hearing DJs playing with effects, playing with acapella, and playing with samples all at the same time. They really like to get up close to watch what you’re doing.”
In Lag’s experience, some unexpected corners of the globe have proven fertile ground for Gqom reinterpretation. Sarvesh Shrivastava, aka Sickflip – a music composer, producer and performer from Mumbai – caught Lag’s attention with his exciting take on what he creates, and, unsurprisingly, Japan is another nation quickly turning Gqom into something new. The country has a long and storied history of putting a unique spin on cultural imports, adopting them seamlessly and creating thriving subcultures of its own. From reimagining American prep (exhaustively detailed in works like Ametora) to an obsession with hip-hop culture that led to brands like Bape, the Japanese have a knack for reinterpretation.
Through his travels, one of the most unique and memorable artist experiences Lag has witnessed is the reproduction of Gqom using live instruments – an experience he recalls from 2016. During his world tour, Lag plans to test the collaborative potential of Baile Funk (a Brazilian Dance Music genre) and Gqom. “I’ve never been, so I have to go to Brazil this year. For sure,” he says.
But home will always be where his heart is. Of all the subcultures, admirers and imitators he has inspired, he feels that the most significant impact can still be felt in South Africa. Even though he has collaborated with some of the biggest names in the industry (enter: Beyoncé and Diplo), DJ Lag is still as committed as ever to maintaining strong connections with SA, which is why his next project is packed with local collaborators, spanning several homegrown genres.
“This year I’m focusing on working with South African artists. I [previously] focused a lot outside of South Africa because I had to fill that gap, but in 2023 I’m really looking forward to working with Kamo, Vigro Deep and Blxckie.”
Wherever he appears, or whoever he shares his talents with, there is no limit to his influence on cultures worldwide. DJ Lag, we salute you.
Article by: Tshiamo Seape