Get to know OK Naledi ahead of their performance at Pique summer edition happening this Saturday at Arts Court
Naledi and Kira Monfort are an Afro House Queer group who perform music that features traditional sub-Saharan clean guitar lines, classic deep bass, deep groove acoustic drums and beats that drive that iconic Afro House tempo.
Scroll along to read our conversation about their influences, their show and their unique sound. Bring your dancing shoes this Saturday!
Tickets available now on our Eventbrite page.
Debaser: What moments or chapters in your life has inspired you to start creating music?
Naledi: I think the easy answer to this would be that it's the only thing that made me feel like a full person. But I do find this question to be more complicated than that. When I finished university I remember sitting at a desk at a random tech job I got feeling completely disassociated with myself and my life and coming to a lightbulb moment of needing to pursue a career in music where I can create without feeling exhausted by a job that gave me no joy. I told myself if in 1 year I can't afford to buy bread then this isn't for me. That was 7 years ago. Simply, creating music is really the only outlet and time where I feel like I can express my whole authentic self.
I think the easy answer to this would be that it's the only thing that made me feel like a full person.
D: What can fans expect from your Performance at Pique on June 10th?
N: Dancing! I wanna see yall busting out your best moves! Afro House music is such a vibe! It's what I grew up listening to and in Botswana dancing is like a community bond.
D: How would you describe your sound or the inspiration to take this direction with your sound?
N: Our sound is a blend of Afro House with a light sprinkling of 90s R&B. I’m inspired by the endless amounts of incredible Afro House music path makers of the 90s like TKzee, Mafikizolo, Mandoza, Bongo Maffin. This is the music I grew up listening to in Botswana. I have so many fond memories of being in the club and hearing Mandoza’s song NKALAKATHA drop and everyone just racing to get to the dance floor!
D: Any upcoming music you’re working on that we should look out for?
N: With the support of a Canada council grant I’ll be travelling to Botswana from September to November of this year to connect with some incredible Motswana Afro music creators and collaborate on some new music. At the moment I’m excited to be performing our new album BONES - which is available on vinyl as well as on all streaming platforms.