South African producer and DJ Kenza may be one of the most consistent names in the Afro House and electronic space, but in person, he remains humble, soft-spoken and grounded.
“I’m just a chill guy. I love sports, I love gaming, and I love music,”
he tells TheJournalistDJ.com as we kick off our conversation backstage.
For years, Kenza has been a familiar figure behind some of the country’s most soulful live shows—whether he’s DJing for Msaki, contributing to Sun-El Musician’s orbit, or crafting his own sonic identity.
A Childhood Shaped by Keys and Curiosity
Kenza’s musical foundation was laid early.
“My music journey started when I was a young boy—six or seven, even five,”
he recalls.
“I learned how to play the piano, and I made my first song when I was nine years old.”
By high school, he was already producing beats on FL Studio, gaining attention from classmates and early supporters. That spark pushed him into DJing and eventually positioned him for a transformative connection.
Meeting Sun-El Musician: “That’s the Mentor Right There”
A defining turning point in Kenza’s journey came when he crossed paths with Sun-El Musician, one of the continent’s most respected Afro-electronic producers.
“Sanele took me to the next level,”
Kenza says.
“He shares the mentor role with my uncle—my uncle introduced me to music, and Sun-El introduced me to production on a higher level.”
He describes Sun-El as a guiding force who pushed him to refine his craft:
“He’d say, ‘Do it like this. Focus like this.’ I’m learning, but I’m also teaching what I know. We’re rubbing off nicely.”
Introducing Music in Colors: A Five-Year Emotional Journey
Kenza’s long-awaited debut album, Music in Colors, marks a major milestone in his artistry. The title reflects the emotional spectrum captured in the project.
“Colors are different emotions, and my music is different emotions,”
he explains.
“The songs represent how I was feeling over the last four to five years—mixed emotions, breakups, highs, lows, energetic moments, even messed-up moments. It’s all the colors of Kenza.”
The album is now available across digital platforms, with Kenza proudly urging fans to find it on Apple Music and beyond.
A Star-Studded Line-Up of Collaborators
The project is stacked with some of South Africa’s finest vocalists and producers.
Kenza lists them with a grateful smile:
Sun-El Musician, Msaki, Ami Faku, Mpho.wav, Citizen Deep, Matle Cassa, Ginger Stone, Simmy, and more.
“The list is long, bro. A lot of talented people are on the album, and they all did justice,”
he says.
For a first album, the lineup reads like an A-list wish list. But for Kenza, this moment is the result of years of quiet service and consistent work behind the scenes.
Paying Dues, Keeping His Head Down
Kenza speaks passionately about paying dues in the music industry.
His relationship with Msaki is a testament to that ethic.
“I’ve produced for her, DJ’d for her, worked and worked, but I never asked for anything. She paid me back without me asking. Pay it forward—that’s how this industry should be.”
What Exactly Is the Kenza Sound?
With genres constantly shifting—Afro House, 3-Step, Soulful Electronic—Kenza refuses to be boxed in.
“My sound is just Kenza, bro. Just vibes. Everything and anything, at any time and anywhere.”
It’s a sentiment that mirrors his personality: fluid, expressive, and emotionally intuitive.
Signing Off
As our conversation wraps, Kenza sends a final message to up-and-coming producers:
“It’s not easy, it’s not hard—it’s somewhere in the middle. You need passion, but you also need grit. Fight through everything. Let’s go, guys.”
Kenza’s debut album Music in Colors is out now—an honest, emotional palette from one of South Africa’s most quietly powerful creators.
Stream Music in Colors here: https://platoon.lnk.to/Musicincolors
