Lately, I’ve been pondering the value of artefacts as we progress into an increasingly rented digital time. The fact that CDs, Vinyls, Blu-Ray DVDs and old laptops with CD trays are now collectors items (reminiscent of Y2K) is a daunting thought. 

I say this because the first time I heard LUUKHANYO, was through the aux-cable of my father’s analogue DVD sound system and the sonic experience of his hit singles “Hii Roller” and “Open Casket” had an unbridled flair of nostalgia that I wouldn’t have otherwise experienced on today’s “perfect” sounding Bluetooth speakers.

Known for his potent ability to blend contemporary R&B, Hip-Hop, Funk and Jazz, LUUKHANYO, with the utmost precision, is defining himself to be one of the most sought-after, free-spirited entities in the alternative music scene. His lauded songwriting results from an observant ear, sovereign craftsmanship and uncharted passion for capturing stories that ignite his imagination, which is evident in the creative direction of his music videos for his lead singles from his forthcoming album.

It was an interesting revelation when LUUKHANYO shared how “Hii Roller” and “Open Casket” were significant turning points in the album. He reflects: “So if you listen to ‘Hii Roller,’ it’s me arriving at this place where someone has broken up with me due to my own flaws, and instead of fixing my flaws, I’m leaning on the things that I think are going to correct it for me without me having to do all the hard work. ‘Open Casket’ is me achieving all these things that I think will fix this problem for me, and realising these things are not the answer—therefore I still need to go back to where I work on myself.”

That is the journey of alignment that has brought this album, scheduled for release later this year, to life. From his band “The Hii Rollers” shaping his musicality, to out-of-body experiences in Eastern Europe where non-believers could feel God in the room, to signing with an artist-centric London-based record label that prioritised the process that brings the art into being, community is at the heart of his evolutionary innovation. 

Honoured to share in his journey of becoming, I conversed with LUUKHANYO about who he is, the exploration of his creative mediums, the role of experimentation in his creative process and future plans. 

For our readers who may not know who you are, please introduce yourself and share your realm of creative expression. How was life growing up leading to your journey with music? 

LUUKHANYO: “You know, I’m trying to figure out who I am and what I do, and the answer changes occasionally. But as of late, the best way I can sum it up is I’m someone who finds a way to make ideas materialise.

Usually, I describe myself as an aspiring rapper, singer, or director, but if I take a closer look, I don’t think I do any of those things particularly well. I just sit in those rooms and work with people who help me shape the ideas in my head. Music has always been the gateway to that because I discovered my love and passion for art through music. As I grow and dive into it, I realise my passion is storytelling. I explore all the different avenues to tell stories without relying on music as the one medium.

Growing up, that inspired my desire to tell stories—I used to be very introverted. My mom is in the army, so I frequently moved between provinces as she transferred between bases. I struggled to connect because I arrived in environments I wasn’t familiar with, where people spoke a different language, and the culture was different. I found myself losing my voice and becoming introverted.

I found myself being an observer. I paid attention to people and always tried to find myself in a space before interacting with anyone. In doing so, I collected these stories without knowing it, shaping my desire to tell them. I’d see things from a broader perspective everywhere I went because I’d be exposed to much more. That, in essence, shaped my desire for storytelling.”

The music video for “Open Casket”, which you co-directed with Ruben Barkhuizen, is an astute example of cinematic mastery. How is the LUUKHANYO who writes the song different from the one who writes the script and develops visuals? How did Ruben’s contribution to the visuals enhance the visual story?

LUUKHANYO: “I don’t think I separate the two LUUKHANYOs—they’re the same person. It goes back to what I said earlier: I see myself as someone who makes way for these ideas to materialise, and I’m fortunate enough to work with people as talented as Rubin.

Rubin can walk into a location and just see the shot. He’ll know where to set up and the angle from which the lights will come. And while I see the final creative expression in my head, I don’t see the technical aspects. But he has the expertise—he’ll know when ideas clash and how best to compromise. That’s how he came in crucial when it comes to directing.

I co-wrote the script with my friend Orie, and once we had the story, I had an idea of what it would look like in my head. We encountered hurdles and obstacles every time we came into the room to bring these ideas to life. Rubin became clutch in those moments because he could problem-solve in real time. That’s why I credited him as a Co-Director—some of those shots wouldn’t have turned out like they did without his influence.

I’m just this one person who tries to not stand in the way of the idea. So I arrive with the overall vision, but I always entrust the people that I work with to help run with it.”

Is being able to experiment and delve into your creative freedom in its potent form what assisted you in shaping this album?

LUUKHANYO: “Yes. When I started creating this album, I knew what I was making. But as I was trying to make what I thought I wanted to make, the album turned out to be what I needed to make. That’s why I say I don’t know what I’m doing—I’m co-creating with something much bigger than me. I just learned not to let my ego stand in the way of that.

When something comes out very vulnerable, telling, and naked, I’m like, ‘Oh, I’m so scared. People are going to see me in this light and I’m going to look like a loser.’ But there’s a loser and a winner in all of us. We are not linear.

It was just a conversation with myself, assuring myself that being myself in all aspects is okay. It’s okay for me to put that out there and understand that I’m not only doing it for myself, but for the person who would have never gained the courage to do so if they hadn’t heard the music I put out. I want to give them the feeling that they are not alone in the vulnerability, fear, cringe, anger, sadness, and all the complex emotions we feel as humans.

In making the album, it was more about me learning about myself. The music was always there—it was really a portal to learning who I am and that it’s okay for me to be myself on these songs, unfiltered and unapologetically.”

Thank you for joining us for this interview. Before you go, let us know what the future holds for you. What’s next for LUUKHANYO?

LUUKHANYO: “I’m going to be rolling out another single within a month or so, then another single after that, and then the album comes. I don’t want to drop any dates if things change, but the album will release this year. I have many more visuals in store, and it’s also an adventure for me.

As I journey this path with the people joining me, I don’t know what to expect and don’t want them to feel like they know what to expect either. We’ll explore this thing together as we go. I just take it as it comes.

I’ve had numerous near-death experiences, and I understand that life isn’t promised, so while I’m here, I want to do things that matter to me. I want to do impactful things that can bring a lot of good and light into the world because we have so many things that do the opposite.

I look forward to seeing what the future holds. I’m just as clueless as everyone else, but I’m excited!”

Connect With LUUKHANYO

Instagram: @luukhanyoisart  

Facebook: @luukhanyo.luukhanyo

Tik Tok: @luukhanyoisart

YouTube: @luukhanyoisart

Written by Cedric Dladla

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