Music has always been a connecting point amongst many individuals across the world with some forming great relationships and others contributing towards the most historic moments in life through their love for music. We have witnessed the evolution to music in South Africa as a whole as each artist has managed to establish a signature sound for themselves whether it be in Amapiano, Hip-Hop or R&B they all manage to stand out through their versatility and ability to infuse a variety of elements from different genres into one. One particular line of creatives in mind has to be musical duo, Venom and Shishiliza as they have established a name for themselves since back in the day through their various relationships with key players within the music space.
These relationships have sparked up a strong bond amongst the two and quite a tight connection from a musical standpoint as they their first collaboration as a duo stems their 2021 debut single “Sho Boy” featuring Riky Rick, Junior Taurus, Yanga Chief, Focalistic and BeastRSA. Since its release the duo has been able to spice up quite an ear for a brand new sound better known as the “Hybrid Sound” in which their Multi-Platinum selling single “Sondela” roots from. They have since complimented the single with an enticing album to the ear titled, “Love Is Pain” which showcased how ardently the approach towards the project was. As they had a star-studded line-up of features from the likes of Blxckie, Aubrey Qwana to DBN Gogo and many more through a well structured storyline and easy to the ear production.
They now return with a brand new single titled “Flight Ya Hoseng” since their 2 year break from the music scene. The single features the likes of Ch’cco, Nomfundo Moh and Baby S.O.N whom happen to curate a lovely vibe and quite understandable story line for the masses. “Flight Ya Hoseng” first made rounds on social media through a well strategised promotional plan over TikTok and Instagram in which the duo managed to win over a lot of people across the country with the song. We couldn’t help but to reach out to further learn more about the duo and what this particular release is all about so we grabbed an opportunity with both hands to conduct an editorial interview with the duo which can be read below.
You guys first met in 2013 and have since formed a formidable bond. What would you say allowed you guys to connect at the level you connect at and what was the story behind your meet up?
I would say music connected us for sure. We worked with artists under the same label, that’s how we first met.
Every relationship/friendship comes with challenges and of course through bondage you find a way to push through those challenging moments by working together. Now, what would you say is one thing that you deem as a challenge when working with each other (per individual) and what’s your go to solution in those moments?
I mean we are not always going to agree on things which is natural. Difficult conversations are needed at times but its always a must for us to get to a better place.
The music industry has since gained hard working creatives behind the music boards. How would you guys describe the making or rather coming of your duo/partnership in music and what led to that decision?
Venom reached out to me to help A&R a song he was working on, I think in 2020. At the time I was looking at releasing my own music. After working on that song together we decided to do another which then lead us to collaborate as artists. There is a lot of power in collaboration.
You guys first released your debut single as a duo in 2021 titled, “Sho Boy”, considering your closeness with the late Riky Rick, what role would you guys say he played in the creative process of this song and how has his support structure contributed to the current sound that you guys make?
“Sho Boy” was an old song Riky had been working on that he suggested we take as our own. The song was about three years old by the time we got it, so we recorded new verses and rearranged the song to what it is today. Riky was very key to our careers as artists, both of our first singles featured him before he passed. Besides the features we spent a lot of time with him in studio where he shared knowledge & motivated us.
In celebration to your first multi-platinum selling single as a duo, “Sondela”. Do you mind guiding us through the A&R process of each artist featured and what was it like when finally submitting the work for release?
Sondela took about a year to complete. Yumbs was given the brief to create a unique sound which fused Hip Hop, RnB & Amapiano which he successfully achieved. We met Raspy in studio at Blxckie’s house after a celebration he had. Once we heard her sing in studio we immediately knew she was perfect for Sondela. A few days later she recorded the hook.
Tshego then recorded a full verse which was later cut down to suit the final arrangement. Riky then called for a session to try finish the song. That session included Blxckie, Costa Titch & Baby S.O.N. amongst others. Blxckie recorded a verse with some assistance from Baby S.O.N. It wasn’t until three weeks before the song released that Riky recorded his verse.
Honestly it was a relief that the song was finally released as we faced many challenges and tight deadlines towards release day.
Did you anticipate the love the single received and how do you plan on honouring the standard that the single has set for you guys in the future?
We did anticipate it and we plan on honouring the standard by respecting our craft and refining our sound which means, we will be doing what we do best which is spend time in the studio working on elevating the sound.
Sonically, the single is an ear-puller which leads us over to your first single of 2024 titled “Flight Ya Hoseng” which seemingly is an extension to your fingerprint sound aka the hybrid sound which entails of a more slowed down Amapiano with a touch of R&B elements and Afro-Pop elements. Whose idea was it to pioneer a sound this original and if you could give it a solid name on the shelves for it to exist on its own as a genre, what would you name it?
The pioneers of this sound are Tyler ICU, Herc Cut The Lights, Yumbs, Focalistic and ourselves. Each has their own version of this fusion of sounds. Our version is more Rnb/Afro Pop leaning where as others can have more of a harder Hip Hop sound. We call our sound “Sondela”.
What was the aim when recording “Flight Ya Hoseng” and how did you select the featured acts?
We worked on the beat with Yumbs & were stuck for a while trying to figure out who to put on the song. We had a song with a similar feel we recorded with Ch’cco years back which was never released so we reached out to him. Ch’cco recorded half a verse and had to leave. We rearranged the song to make that unfinished verse the hook.
Months later Baby S.O.N. jumped on & lastly Nomfundo. Nomfundo’s manager Mpilo heard the song and suggested we put Nomfundo on at the last minute. She came so studio the same day to record.
What would you say was the most fun part about creating the single and which part of the song do you enjoy the most?
Revisiting the song and making it sound better and better was the fun part. We enjoy the whole song honestly, our favourite part changes weekly.
With every single, it has to lead to something at some point in time. What can we expect from you guys as a duo in the next coming months?
You can expect more singles for now. We jumped into an album after the release of Sondela. This time around we are taking our time with the project and focusing on each single as we drop.
What advice would you guys give to fellow artists that are trying to form a duo and what would you say are the key elements to focus on when building a group or a duo? As I can only imagine the stumbling blocks it comes with.
Don’t force it, if you naturally gravitate to collaborating it will work out.
Lastly, who have you been currently jamming to and what songs? (Give us your top 5s each)
Shishiliza:
- DBN Gogo – Ubumnandi
- Shallipopi – Elon Musk
- Malumz On Decks – Teka
- Larry June – Watering My Plants
- Hit Boy & The Alchemist – Morrissey
Venom:
- Blxckie – Famous
- T.I – Poppin’ Bottles
- A-Reece, Wordz & Ecco – Dark Daze
- Kanye West & Ty Dolla Sign – Carnival
- Tyler ICU – Ebasini
Listen to “Flight Ya Hoseng (Feat. Ch’cco, Nomfundo Moh and Baby S.O.N)” by Venom, Shishiliza & YUMBS below:
