The name might not be too familiar but Ameen Harron is in the road to superstardom. Ameen is currently working with veteran South African artists such Jimmy Nevis, AKA, Proverb, Danny K, Lakota Silva, Locnville, Jax Panik , HHP to name a few and his debut album ‘Masks’ which drops early next year is set to be one of the biggest debut albums of 2016! I caught up with him and discussed his passion for music, collaborations and the future.
Where did your passion for music stem from?
As a child with a stay-at-home mom, I was always listening to the music she was playing while she was busy around the house.. I spent most of my time listening to the radio, my mom’s records and mix tapes my cousin and uncle made me with some tracks they thought I’d like. What caught my attention the most was the day my uncle bought a home system with a microphone and I heard myself through it for the first time… I remember the excitement I felt yelling at my mom telling her I’m on radio. I always told her I wanna “make music like the radio” – nothing’s changed.
How did your journey into the music industry begin?
Growing up I started DJing because TV gave me the impression that DJ’s make music, so I bought into the David Guetta dream until I stumbled on some production software by accident thinking it was DJing software. Started making some beats in high school for some hip hop acts and after high school I started networking with artists trying to pitch for their albums.
You’ve collaborated with artists such as Lakota Silva and DeaderThanDisco. Is working with another artist more challenging?
I don’t really find it hard to work with other people. I think that if you establish a good working energy with anybody, all it becomes is an opportunity to grow through sharing ideas.
What are your thoughts on the current state of the South African music industry?
I feel like its way too influenced – I mean influence is good and I’m not saying that I’m free from that, I just get frustrated that the term “local” music is the term used to describe a poor standard of music. It’s caused musicians to emulate, opposed to learn from, the “international” sounds fed to us. I mean in all fairness there are standards, but there’s a difference between inspiration and imitation.
How does a song of yours come together?
I hear melodies to moments.. I could go for a run, see something interesting and suddenly there’s music to that moment. Finding the appropriate sounds to capturing the energy of that mood is the immediate process to follow when I get to studio. When I start laying in the idea I’m hearing more melodies or rhythms to accompany what I’m doing until I’m satisfied enough to consider it complete.
What are you getting up to in the next few months?
Well my album’s the first project to be released off my label, The Cartel, and we’ve got some interesting artist we’re working with, finishing off their albums. Prepare for something new and interesting – there’s a lot of redefining about to happen.
Feel free to comment, share or tweet @ElBroide
