From Cape Town to Berlin, this stylish DJ is on a mission to spread afro house love around the globe
Floyd Lavine is reflecting on his recent nomination in the afro house category at the upcoming DJ Awards 2019. ‘”Music is so subjective, it can’t be judged - it means something different to everyone,” he offers. But on the opposite side? “I know the effort and hard work I’ve put into my career and music and so when you get recognised by the industry it means a lot. I’m also happy to see the afro house category included into this year’s awards - it shows the growth of the genre, and the impact the music is making globally.”
It’s a democratic response for a DJ whose life’s work seems set to unite. With a signature sound that straddles two cities (described as having “one foot in Berlin and one in Cape Town”), Lavine’s music enjoys the auditory shock not only of a culture clash, but time travel. “It’s Afrofuturistic - a sonic journey of the past, present and future.” Recent EPs such as ‘Harare’ and ‘Sondela Remix’ attest to that.
“South Africa has been a big part of my life,” he continues, surveying his personal soundtrack. “I was born there and absorbed what my country has to offer - the rhythms and grooves in my music are strongly connected to my heritage. But being based in Berlin has also shaped my sound and given me a different perspective. The industrialised aspects are connected to Berlin.” How does he describe the resulting effect? ‘‘It’s like cooking a dish with a mixture of flavours to create something tasty and unexpected.”
“It’s up to our generation to create a vision of Africa that we are proud of and can call home”
This ear for the unexpected led to one of Lavine’s more immediate legacies: helping to establish the afro house sound to Berlin. He is one of the minds behind RISE - an African-inspired event and record label that also includes DJs Dede, Minco, Hyenah, Jamiie and Walter Griot. “We found that in Berlin the type of African house music we were into was not available, or not presented in a way that we felt was doing it justice,” Lavine explains. “It’s a wonderful place with so much going on already in terms of house music and techno but we felt that we had something unique to offer. We wanted to bridge the sound between Africa and the rest of the world.”
In 2015 RISE partnered with the famed Watergate club to host their first ever event. “It was challenging to introduce a new sound and vibe to Berlin but we kept pushing and now we’re in our fourth year hosting RISE events, not only in Berlin but around the globe.” Headliners have included one of his home heroes, Black Coffee, as well as the likes of Henrik Schwarz and Culoe De Song. He’s recently made his Boiler Room debut in Berlin, too.
Needless to say, his staunch dedication to afro house runs very deep. “I’m a proud African - not in a nationalistic way, but in way that is about inclusiveness; in celebrating our uniqueness,” Lavine says. “We all know the history of Africa, the pain and suffering the people have endured, yet we have an undeniable resilience. Come to Africa and you will feel the warmth, the creativity, the laughter, the love; people are still open to humility and togetherness. This is something that always amazes me. Of course not everything is perfect but it’s up to our generation to create a vision of Africa that we are proud of and can call home.”
Shifting his current home to Berlin has naturally shaped his experiences of political and cultural ideas around nationhood, especially given the current divisive and xenophobic mood in parts of Europe. “It’s sad to see what’s happening here. But we still have people in Europe who understand the need to be part of a global community, and the benefits this brings. This is how we grow, this is how we share cultures; we are a human race not some flag or nation. We are all born with the right to explore this beautiful world in peace and in harmony.”
Currently on an international tour and with a solid gig diary ahead of him including Tunis, Istanbul, Kuala Lumpur and Bali, Lavine’s inclusive attitude helps to inform the energy behind his addictive shows. “When I play I always try to create an environment that is warm but also challenging sonically,” he muses. “I chose the right songs to best represent who I am, but also allow the audience to be entertained and enjoy the show... Finding that balance keeps me on my toes!”
Words Emma Gilhooly
Photography Romy Maxime
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Published on 29/08/2019