By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
HARARE – Legendary South African music producer and DJ Oskido has a simple message for deejays worried about technology: relax. Artificial intelligence might be changing the world, but it won’t be taking over the decks anytime soon.
“No one wants to see a robot playing in front of them,” said the Kalawa Jazzmee founder. “It doesn’t give that human feel.”
Speaking on the sidelines of his show at Afropolitan on Thursday, where he helped mark 10 years of Rhythm Republic, Oskido argued that some professions are safe from the AI revolution.
“There are some things that AI cannot replace – such as electricians, plumbers, and of course DJs,” he said.
The veteran producer also dismissed suggestions that he has taken a backseat in the music industry. Instead, he took pride in watching his mentees shine on the international stage.
“Oh well, all the guys that I groomed are doing well,” he said. “You talk of DJ Maphorisa, Black Coffee, and DJ Zinhle – they are now big names in their own right. For me, that is a good thing.”
Oskido‘s Harare performance proved his own touch remains very much in demand. Opening his set with a mashup of house and Afrobeat, he immediately connected with the crowd on a chilly winter night.
He then turned things up, playing kwaito to the audience’s delight.
The event, held under the tagline “One Sound, One Nation, One Night,” was hosted by The Boss DJ aka Exodus, who also played his own Afro-house set.
Oskido shared the decks with the likes of House of Killian, Crocs D DJ, Sharon, Drumetic Boyz, and Pitso.
If Thursday night was any indication, the human touch behind the turntables isn’t going anywhere.
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