“I’d Rather Stick To What I Know”
South African Amapiano producer and DJ Lash T has made it clear that while many artists are exploring new sounds to break into international markets, he has no plans to abandon the genre that built his career.
Speaking to TheJournalistDJ.com at the Corona Sunset Festival, the Pretoria-based artist explained that despite the growing popularity of Afro House and Afro Tech among South African artists touring internationally, his focus remains firmly on Amapiano.
“I’d rather stick to what I know,” said Lash T. “I don’t want to jump ship. I’m going to remain with Amapiano.”
While acknowledging that genres such as Afro House and electronic music may offer greater opportunities overseas, the producer believes authenticity remains more important than following trends.
Exclusive Music Remains Sacred in DJ Culture
Fresh from delivering an energetic set at the Corona Sunset Festival, Lash T revealed that much of his performance consisted of unreleased music.
According to the DJ, exclusives remain one of the most important aspects of South Africa’s underground dance music culture.
“The majority of the songs I played were unreleased,” he explained. “You don’t want to give people what they’re going to hear later. Rather give them something they don’t know.”
Lash T also offered rare insight into how DJs obtain exclusive tracks, describing a culture built on relationships, trust and industry connections.
“It’s all about who you know,” he said. “Sometimes you hear a song from another DJ or producer and you ask for it. There are also groups where people share unreleased music.”
From Phalaborwa to Pretoria
Born and raised in Phalaborwa, Limpopo, Lash T relocated to Pretoria in 2012 to pursue his studies.
However, it wasn’t long before his passion for music took centre stage.
“I came to Pretoria for school, but I decided to leave and focus on DJing, hosting events and building my career,” he said.
Over the years, the move has paid off, helping him establish himself as one of the respected names within South Africa’s ever-evolving Amapiano scene.
Turning a Lifestyle Into Music
Earlier this year, Lash T released his creative EP Hubbly Flavour through Lash T Productions.
The project transformed his well-known love for the Hubbly Pipe into a unique musical concept, with each track named after different flavours.
The producer admitted that the inspiration came directly from his everyday lifestyle.
“I smoke hubbly a lot,” he laughed. “Everybody calls me Hubbly. Wherever I am, there’s always hubbly.”
The concept resonated with fans and industry observers alike, with many praising the originality behind the project.
Featuring the focus track Rainy Days (Lady Killer), the EP blends laid-back groove sessions with energetic dancefloor moments while showcasing Lash T’s signature Amapiano sound.
Another EP On The Way
Fans will not have to wait long for new music.
During the conversation, Lash T revealed that he is already preparing another project scheduled for release later this year.
“I’m dropping another EP in August,” he said. “It’s going to be a soulful piano EP, about four tracks.”
The announcement signals another busy chapter for the producer as he continues to expand his catalogue and creative footprint.
Taking a Stand Against AI Music
While artificial intelligence continues to dominate conversations across the music industry, Lash T remains firmly opposed to AI-generated music.
The producer believes AI lacks the human creativity and emotional nuance required to create meaningful records.
“That’s boring,” he said. “There’s no creativity in there.”
According to Lash T, experienced producers can immediately identify when music has been generated by artificial intelligence.
“I make music. I can hear it,” he explained. “I can tell when a song wasn’t constructed by a person.”
The DJ even revealed that he has turned down requests to play AI-generated tracks in his sets, choosing instead to support music created through genuine artistic expression.
Building His Own Lane
Known for tracks such as Tick, Phage, C20 and Theke, Lash T continues to carve out a unique space within South Africa’s dance music landscape.
Whether through exclusive DJ sets, innovative concepts like Hubbly Flavour or his commitment to preserving the authenticity of Amapiano culture, the Pretoria-based artist remains focused on building a career on his own terms.
