2 minute read
Yugen Blakrok
P H O T O S B Y C H R I S T O P H E R T E R H A R T
WORDS BY KATE ZALIZNOCK
YUGEN BLAKROK IS MAKING HER MARK
IN THE GLOBAL MUSIC SCENE, AND FOR GOOD REASON. ON
TOP OF FLAWLESS STYLISTIC EXECUTION, THE SOUTH AFRICAN
TALENT PRESENTS HER AUDIENCE WITH PLENTY OF SUBJECTS
FOR CONTINUED CONVERSATION. IN OTHER WORDS, BLAKROK
GOES BEYOND MUSIC FOR MUSIC’S SAKE; SHE USES HER WORK
TO TELL BOTH HER OWN STORY AND TO ILLUSTRATE IMPORTANT
SOCIOPOLITICAL TOPICS. WE SPOKE WITH THE ARTIST ABOUT HER
SURVIVAL AND CONNECTION.
How would you describe life as an artist in South Africa? It’s an uphill battle. Making art for art’s sake is a luxury; most folks are just trying to stay fed.
Tell us a bit about the creative process with your latest album? We just ran on feeling. I’d throw words at the emotions or vibrations I was tuned to at the time, write lines, unfinished verses. I’d come into the studio with some of them, listen to some beats and sometimes even record. Kanif would then make fresh beats based around the vocals and subject matter. Then I’d come back and relace the track, throw some incantations on it. Sometimes we flip the beat completely, change the whole vibe of the song. Or I scoop a bunch of beats and let them dictate, let the songs write themselves. It always depends. Trialand-error is still one of my favorite methods of working.
Describe your collaboration w/ Tumi Moroka on the video for “Picture Box”? What are some of the messages behind the symbology? Circular movements are used to hint at a repetitive cycle. The West observes culture and creates a stereotype. We, in turn, follow the stereotype, making popular media something of a selffulfilling prophecy.
How did the song“Opps” come about? What was it like to see it featured in the world-phenomenon Black Panther?
The Black Panther feature was surreal. Since I started rapping, being on the score of a kickass movie was one of my wildest dreams. I always thought we’d have to make that movie ourselves for that to happen. There’s always a hint at survival; that is our oldest and most brutal game. Lightwork and transformation are also themes that run throughout.
What are some ways digital media is impacting lives globally? We use digital media for information, comfort and escape. Connecting is easier because physical distance is not a hurdle anymore. In the same breath, though, emotional connections seem harder to make because of the very same media. It’s getting harder to separate the human from the machine.
What has been your favorite response to your music? That it’s a breath of fresh air.
Who are some of your favorite emerging artists? Azu Tiwaline from Tunisia. Shorty Skilz from South Africa. Naomi Pilgrim from Sweden.
