A chat with Shazz (SA)

Shazz (SA) is a deep house DJ, music curator, and producer with a natural talent for creating soulful and captivating sets.

Recognized by legends like Vinny Da Vinci and DJ Christos, she’s built a reputation as a rising star in the South African house music scene.

Shazz has played at iconic venues across Johannesburg, Cape Town, and the Northern Cape, sharing stages with some of the biggest names in the industry.

Her skills have also landed her features on respected house music podcasts and platforms like Tequilla Gang.

Adding to her growing success, Shazz has just released her debut EP with the Scottish label, Dealt With Records, marking an exciting new chapter in her career. With her passion for deep house at the core, Shazz is a name to watch.

Following on from her Frequency Frontier release we managed to catch Shazz for a chat about the EP, her collaboration with Dealt With Records and the ever growing house scene in South Africa. Here's how it went down…

Hey Shazz, great to meet you! What's happening in your world at the moment?

Thanks so much for having me,I think the appropriate thing to ask me is what isnt happening in my life right now,hahahha!..I live quite a busy life as I have a full time 9 - 5, I am studying towards my degree in Business and my passion project,of course is music,I DJ most weekends in the month and work on music in between my weekdays.

Congrats on releasing your debut ‘Frequency Frontier’ EP. Can you talk us through the release?

Thank you so much!..Basically I just added elements that I really enjoy in most electronic music. With these two tracks, I really wanted to explore the emotional depth that deep house can carry  not just as dance music, but as a space to breathe, reflect, and connect. For me, ‘Synthesia’ is that late-night, almost weightless feeling. I approached it like a sensory experience - where you don’t just hear the music, you feel the color and warmth of it. The pads are textured and analog in feel, almost like something you’d find in a Larry Heard track. It’s stripped back but soulful, inspired by that early deep house energy, with a little of that St Germain jazziness in the chords.

Then with ‘Infinite Frequencies’, I leaned more into movement. It’s got more drive, more tension - but still keeps that atmospheric quality. The influences are definitely wider here: there’s the ambient techno spaciousness you'd hear on a Kompakt record, but also that earthy rhythm and soul that reminds me of Osunlade’s Yoruba productions. I wanted the track to feel like it was expanding - like frequencies that stretch beyond what we perceive. There’s a subtle African tech undercurrent in the percussion, too -that rolling groove that doesn’t overpower, just guides.”

Overall, both tracks are about building environments. I wanted to give DJs something immersive - not just peak-time bangers, but tunes that can hold space in a set. Something that breathes, that lets the crowd settle in, or drift off if they need to. I think deep house has always had that power for me personally -to hold both movement and emotion in the same breath.

How did the collaboration with Dealt With Records come about?

My collab with this powerhouse of a label came through a good friend and fellow artist- KaySoul,he has been releasing music for a while now and knew the in’s and outs of releasing and sending demo’s to labels..he gave me a bit of a nudge in the right direction and assisted me in reaching out to them with the music,everything flowed effortlessly from there onwards

For those who are just discovering your music, what do you hope they feel when they listen?

Honestly, I want people to feel the music, not just move to it. Don’t get me wrong, the groove is there if you want to dance, but more than anything, I hope it stirs something in them. This being my first ever release, I felt like I had to lead with something meaningful… something that wasn’t just a floor-filler, but a proper introduction to my voice as a producer. There’s a lot of intention in the layers - the pads, the atmosphere, even the silences - and I hope listeners pick up on that.I didn’t want to come out the gate chasing trends or trying to bang out club hits. I wanted depth — something that feels lived in, that sits with you. Because starting here leaves me space to grow, to explore, and to evolve sonically. It sets the tone: that I’m here to tell stories through sound, not just follow formulas.

Can you describe the connection between your music and your South African roots, and how they influence you today?

Growing up in Johannesburg , especially as a coloured kid from the East Rand , music was everywhere. In my family, it was always house, R&B, and kwaito playing. My uncles and older cousins had incredible taste, and without even knowing it, they were shaping my ear. That was my first education in rhythm and emotion. But it was in high school when everything clicked - that’s when I started listening more consciously. I started collecting music, digging through artists and sounds, building a library that felt personal. Music wasn’t just something I liked anymore - it became something I needed to understand.My first real exposure to the live energy of it all was in Reiger Park, in the kasi. There was a DJ playing vinyl  ,no frills, no fancy setups ,and the way the crowd responded just lit something in me. At that time, we weren’t talking about genres or production styles. It was just house. You heard the bassline, you felt the four-to-the-floor kick, and it moved you, the vocal-heavy, soulful stuff is what we know as ‘classic house’ today , and it still holds a special place in my sound to date.

A huge turning point for me was discovering the Electro Candi compilations from Soul Candi. That’s when I really fell for the more electronic, melodic side of house. The textures, the atmosphere, the depth - it gave me a whole new language to express what I was feeling. It’s had a massive influence on how I produce today and the kinds of sets I gravitate towards when I DJ.

But above all, I’ve always been a child of the dancefloor, long before I ever thought about taking my passion further. I’ve travelled to parties across Joburg and Cape Town, and some of the most beautiful, real connections I’ve made in life came from those dancefloors. For some people, it’s just a party — but for me, it’s where I found my people. There’s something magical about locking eyes with someone mid-set, both of you vibing to the same beat, no words needed. It’s so easy to build relationships when the music already speaks for you. That connection - that shared feeling - is what I carry into every track I make.

What’s been the highlight of your career so far? Any particular moment that stands out?

Naturally, there’ve been some incredible firsts that mean the world to me - my first-ever gig two years ago in Pretoria will always be special. I still remember how nervous and excited I was, realizing that I was actually doing this - sharing music live. And of course, releasing my very first track was a major personal milestone. It took a lot of vulnerability and trust to finally put my sound out into the world, and I’m proud of the depth and intention behind it.

But if I’m being honest, I don’t think my ‘biggest’ moment has happened yet. I don’t even know if there’s supposed to be just one. I see this journey as something ongoing, something without a final destination. I truly want to dwell in this space - this passion - for as long as life allows. Every set, every studio session, every person I meet through music adds to the story.

I’m guided by God in this process. I know He’s given me this gift for a reason, and I also know that the full assignment hasn’t even been revealed to me yet. So I move with faith. I create with intention. I’m learning every single day -about music, about people, about myself - and I hope I never stop learning. That, to me, is the real gift: music keeps giving. It keeps healing. And when the time is right, I know my elevation will come. But until then, I’m just here to do meaningful, impactful work - and to stay rooted in the love that started it all.

Can you share some insight into your creative process? Any rituals or methods that keep you inspired?

For me, creativity starts with listening - really listening. And not just to house music. I like to explore a wide range of genres because it stretches my ear and helps me understand how different sounds are built. Whether it's jazz, soul, ambient, or even old-school R&B, I’m always paying attention to how the layers sit, how the energy flows, and how emotion is translated through sound. That kind of deep listening feeds into everything I create.

One thing I absolutely love doing is slowing music down. I’ll load tracks onto a platform and drop the tempo, just to give each element space to breathe. There’s something beautiful that happens when a tune is slowed -you hear things you wouldn’t have noticed at normal speed. It’s like stripping a song down to its soul. That process gives me so many ideas -textures, grooves, progressions -and it often sparks inspiration for what I want to build next.

When it comes time to actually produce, I try not to force anything. I let the work take me where it needs to go. Sometimes it starts with a pad, sometimes it’s a drum loop or a bassline that speaks first -but I always let the emotion lead. I don’t like to box the process. Music has its own language, and I just try to stay open enough to translate it honestly. That’s the ritual : listen, feel, trust.

‍Name 3 other South African artists we should be checking out?

South Africa has a plethora of talent, and honestly, I could rant for hours about all the incredible producers I love. But if I have to narrow it down to the ones that are really standing out for me right now, especially in terms of current energy and direction, there are a few names I feel deserve your full attention.

Firstly, Black Villain -  hands down, my favourite female producer right now. Her music and overall aura are so authentic, and there’s something special about how her production embodies who she is. You can hear her personality in every track. It’s soulful, confident, and rooted. She’s definitely a force.

Then there’s Kaysoul - an absolute gem. What I love most about him is that he doesn’t stick to the ‘expected’ South African sound. He’s always pushing boundaries, exploring deeper, more minimal textures, and taking bold risks. His production really shows range and intention, which I respect deeply.

And of course, I have to mention Nutty Nys - a true legend and someone who’s had a massive impact on how I experience music. His production always captivates me, no matter what subgenre he’s working with. He understands the beauty of production on a technical and emotional level, and you can feel that in the depth of his sound. He’s excellent. Period.

These artists are just a glimpse into the rich, layered scene we have here. SA is truly a goldmine when it comes to talent

As someone deeply involved in the South African house music scene, how do you see it right now?

This is honestly another topic I could go on about for hours, because there’s so much to unpack - both the good and the complex. But if we’re focusing on the positive energy in the scene right now, one thing that really stands out to me is the versatility. The sound is expanding beautifully. We’ve got deep, soulful, tech, broken beat influences - and it all lives here in harmony.That kind of diversity keeps things exciting and allows artists to explore and evolve without limits.

What’s even more beautiful is how house music events are thriving across the country. Whether you're in the city or in the townships, there’s something happening — and more importantly, there’s room for everyone. New DJs and upcoming producers are being given space to showcase themselves, connect with their crowd, and find their niche. If you’re truly passionate and consistent, chances are you’ll find your tribe here.

The online music space has also made it easier for artists to reach new ears. People are digging, curating, and listening with intention, and that reach gives producers and DJs a chance to build their names outside the traditional circuit. It’s also helped with fostering more collaboration  -I’m seeing fellow producers working together more, hosting events as collectives, and supporting each other’s drops. That ‘favour culture’ is something I really value - you scratch my back, I scratch yours - we both grow, we both eat.

And let’s not forget how open we are to international sounds. South Africans are some of the most loyal but also curious listeners. If the production is good - best believe we’re playing it. Whether it’s an underground UK cut or a soulful US house joint, if it hits, it’s getting played. That kind of openness is a huge part of what makes our scene so dynamic.

Yes, there are politics - and maybe they’re necessary to a degree to keep the machine moving - but that’s a story for another day. What matters right now is that the scene is alive, it’s growing, and it’s being driven by people who truly love this music. And I’m just grateful to be part of that energy.

What's next for you?

At the heart of it all, I just want to make an impact that lives beyond the dance floor. Music has given me so much -healing, purpose, and connection - and I want to pay that forward in every space I step into. For me, it’s never been just about playing or producing tracks; it’s about creating sonic spaces where people feel seen, heard, and held.

Community means everything to me. I believe in platforms that promote collaboration, inclusivity, and honest expression. The club space, when curated with intention, has the power to do more than just entertain - it can be a vessel for healing, for liberation, for storytelling. That’s the kind of energy I want to be part of and contribute to.

One thing I’m deeply passionate about is uplifting more women in music, especially in the production space. There’s still a long way to go, and I want to be part of the shift that shows young girls and women that they belong behind the decks, behind the DAWs, in the rooms where sound is shaped. It’s not about being invited in - it’s about knowing we’ve always had the right to be here.

And while I love the present, I’m also deeply rooted in our past. My ultimate dream is to one day direct a film that tells the story of house music in South Africa - from its roots in our townships, to how it shaped youth culture, community, and our unique sound. There’s so much history, beauty, and resilience in this music, and I want to archive it with the love and care it deserves.

So if I can leave behind a legacy that’s rooted in meaning, connection, and elevation - especially for the next generation of artists and dreamers - then I’ll know I’ve done what I was meant to do.

Stream / Buy Frequency Frontier HERE

‍