Spoek Mathambo "Put Some Red On It" (MP3 download)

Sound it Out #12: Spoek Mathambo "Put Some Red On It"

Johannesburg’s Spoek Mathambo (real name: Nthato Mokgata) makes music that blends traditional African sounds with very current electronica, goth, rock and dubstep elements. He’s described it as “township tech” and the result is extremely weird and addictive.

Mathambo is also a producer and graphic designer - he takes his personal post-Apartheid experiences and weaves them into his songs and artwork in a unique and compelling way.

“Put Some Red On It” is an insider’s take on the South African diamond conflict. It’s moving and fun and sounds like the future to me. Spoek Mathambo’s new record Father Creeper comes out March 13th.

Bonus: Mr. Mathambo has made several visually stunning videos. Check them out here.

Amy worked in the record business at Enigma, Elektra, Virgin and Sub Pop before she got sucked into the technology vortex. She co-founded the Backwards Beekeepers, a chemical-free urban beekeeping collective in Los Angeles. She runs digital marketing for the Los Angeles Philharmonic and The Hollywood Bowl.

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Doug Nelson

Sorry. It sounded nice enough until he started singing, but then it had to stop.
telechi

And then I let him go a little bit more and didn’t mind the singing as much. Dug this.
teufelsdrochk

Oh, THAT’S what M.I.A. wanted her album to sound like.
RJ

Catchy. I’m not much of a rap fan, but I like the musical composition.
Morgan LaVigne

His cover of ‘Control’ is my favorite thing done with a Joy Division song ever. Thanks BB!
bklynchris

I just got turned on to this artist, yes Control cover is amazing. Posted it to submiterattor , its there amongst all the heinous spam. Thanks for this! Love it!
VoxExMachina

I am so glad that Mathambo is getting some wider recognition. I would take him over Die Antwoord any day, I think he’s brilliant. If I’m not mistaken, he also MCs under the name HIVIP, which is spectacular.
gadfly

seems worth mentioning that this was produced in collaboration with CHLLNGR. anyway, thanks for sharing this awesome track. I’ve got some new SoundCloud digging to do this afternoon!
http://twitter.com/andrewctenor Andrew Pickett

SPIRITS ARE ALWAYS WITH YOU!
Brendon

Just a correction: There is no such thing as the South African diamond conflict. Nor is there is a conflict of any kind in South Africa. Conflict diamonds used to refer to diamonds from Sierra Leone, but these days may also include diamonds from the DRC or Zimbabwe. Not that it matters much to your article, but it stings a bit coming from a law abiding democratic state with constitutionally entrenched workers rights.

A South African