There’s been a lot of hype about Kyle Worde, a 19 year old House DJ whose continually re defining ‘ prodigy’ in South Africa’s Electronic Dance Music Industry! His impressive list of credentials which include being signed to one of South Africa’s  (arguably)toughest labels, Soul Candi Records, The release of his first solo EP and  his track “Hidden Agenda” being signed & released on Cubit Recordings in the United Kingdom – has given him a strong foundation and an endearing fan base!

Some DJ’s and Producers seem to know music as it appears on their PC screens and DJ software. Have you had formal training or play a musical instrument?

Informal would be more of an appropriate word ha ha! I did a 5 day crash course with Ryan Murgratroyd (Crazy White Boy) in 2009 when I was still in school.

During those 5 days we ran through the different production software’s like Reason 4 and Cubase. Musical instrument… let’s just say Ryan taught me all the theory behind music I needed to know at the time.

How important is this sort of ‘training’ before one considers a career in music?

To me, those 5 days were probably the most important 5 days of my life or rather my musical career. Living in Durban and having the knowledge to produce gave me the opportunity to start my music career while still at school and using my productions to start pushing my name as an artist and as a DJ to a certain extent.

Starting off as a producer in the industry (even though I started DJ’ing before production) I found that it helped me a lot in terms of “gaining ground”…. so to speak.

Kyle Worde Guest Mix – Roger Goode’s Saturday Surgery by kyleworde

Soulcandi is known as a very influential platform in the musical industry. It has seen many Producers and DJ’s grow musically. How has being under that label helped improve your career?

Not only Soulcandi has been my label, but working at Soulcandi has helped me a lot in terms of learning the ins and outs of the music industry.

What would you say is the influence behind your music?

I try keep my selection of music (and the music that I make) very current and diverse. I feel that music is continuously evolving and that keeping it dynamic is the most important thing. Absolutely everything influences me!

How has working with the likes of Roger Goode helped in terms of music maturity?

Roger has been the major influence in my music career and most of the reason why I ever got involved with music production and DJ’ing.

Listening to his show when I was younger and then later being able to work with him on various projects (in and out of work) has been a really awesome experience and without a doubt inspiring every time!

He has introduced me to different worlds of music where there are no limits!

Who do you wish to work with nationally and internationally… Why?

From a production point of view there are far too many to actually mention – locally I would love to do something with GoodLuck and Goldfish (more so on the international side now) as I believe they are the evolution of the DJ.

Internationally I would love to some day work with Noisia or Feed Me – production that goes behind the tracks these guys are making is on another level!

Do you wish to venture into other genres as you further your career?

Without a doubt! I absolutely love Drum & Bass and Dubstep to name only two; but how I see things at the moment I play per place’. I try not to limit myself in anyway but still keeping consistency and a certain element of “cool” in my eyes.

Your music has already been enjoyed abroad, what else do you still wish to achieve career wise?

I have a passion for Radio. Listening to the ground breaking dance radio shows when I was younger was inspiration to what I do now – not only the music, but the production behind the shows. So to be involved with radio someday would be my ultimate. Consider it a work in progress.

How has 5fm helped you in building you as a brand?

Right in the beginning I was fortunate enough to have quite a few of the 5FM DJ’s support me like Roger Goode, Erica Elle, Catherine Grenfell and DJ Fresh.

They all gave me the opportunity to showcase my productions, mixes and I as a DJ. So having those opportunities to be aired across 5’s broad listenership has helped me a lot in terms of having a very cool and diverse fan base.

We have seen and heard hundreds of DJs and producers out there. What is it that ‘The Worde’ is offering that we have never seen or heard before?

I’m all about keeping it cool, current and exciting! I tend to spend about 3 or 4 hours before a set doing specific edits and mashups for those few hours ahead of me. I’m also very particular about playing a flawless and seamless set

Which well known clubs or events to you usually play at?

I am a regular at Sushi Sunday at Turtle Creek in Sandton as well as Truth in Midrand. Apart from being a regular there I guest DJ all around Johannesburg and the rest of the country.

What should we expect from you in the near future?

Loads of DJing! I will be all over the country in the next couple of months. Regarding production, I plan to get back into studio very soon!

In the mean time I am working on getting a vocal for my track “Hidden Agenda” which was released in the UK a few months ago – so keep an eye out for that…

INTERVIEW: Thando Mazibuko
IMAGE CREDITS: House hold Funk & Kyle Worde