CEEKA RSA TALKS MUSIC, EVOLUTION, AND HIS FUTURE IN AMAPIANO

THE INFLUENCE OF DAVEYTON IN HIS MUSIC

Hailing from the vibrant streets of Daveyton in the East Rand of Johannesburg, Ceeka RSA draws much of his musical inspiration from his upbringing in the area. Growing up surrounded by a rich culture of music, particularly Kwaito. Ceeka RSA says the vibe of his hometown is what shaped his distinctive sound. “Daveyton is different when it comes to music. If you listen to artists from there like your Scotts Maphuma, and Cowboy, you can tell that we take this from the pubs, clubs, and vibe yase kasi, especially emabaso. That’s what shaped this whole thing, the vibes,” he shares. The energy of Daveyton, where music is deeply embedded in daily life, has played a crucial role in the development of his unique sound.

REALISING MUSIC WAS HIS TRUE CALLING

For Ceeka RSA, the path to becoming a full-time musician wasn’t always clear. While his love for music began at a young age, it wasn’t until he worked with notable figures in the industry that he realized his true potential. “When I started working with Kalawa, earlier in my career, I had studio sessions and met the legends like Spikiri. That’s when I knew this thing was going somewhere. I even quit college, and that’s when I knew this was serious,” he reflects. This pivotal moment not only marked his decision to pursue music full-time but also set him on a trajectory that would soon see him working with some of the biggest names in South African music.

THE INFLUENCE OF KWAITO IN HIS SOUND

Ceeka RSA’s music is rooted in the sounds of Kwaito. A genre that dominated South African music in the 90s and early 2000s. Growing up in a household where Kwaito was always playing, Ceeka RSA naturally gravitated towards the genre. “At home, my dad used to listen to Kwaito a lot, so I have a lot of Kwaito legends that I took the sound from, like DJ Cleo, Bricks, and Mandoza. And if you listen to Amapiano, you can tell that it’s actually Kwaito. But I would say mostly it’s DJ Cleo,” he says. The influence of Kwaito can be heard in the grooves and rhythm of his music, blending the old-school sound with the contemporary pulse of Amapiano.

THE FUSION OF AMAPIANO AND GQOM

Known for his ability to fuse Amapiano with Gqom, Ceeka RSA has created a sound that stands out in the music industry. His transition from purely Amapiano to incorporating elements of Gqom was influenced by his time spent in Durban. “There was a period when I went to Durban, I think 2020 to 2022, and that’s when I heard Gqom and realized that it’s huge. So, when I came back, I was like, ‘How about I combine these two sounds?’ And I won’t lie, it’s a dope combination,” he explains. The synergy of Amapiano’s smooth, melodic beats with the aggressive, bass-heavy sounds of Gqom is now a signature in his music.

EVOLUTION AS A PRODUCER

Ceeka RSA’s musical journey is a story of constant evolution. Having started in hip hop, he quickly began experimenting with house, afro-pop, and eventually Amapiano. “It has evolved a lot because I started from hip hop, then House, afro-pop, and now Amapiano,” he shares. This evolution is a reflection of his growing understanding of music and his adaptability in an ever-changing industry. His ability to fuse different genres has allowed him to stay relevant and ahead of the curve in the Amapiano scene.

One of Ceeka RSA’s main goals as a producer is to create music that resonates with listeners on an emotional level. When asked what he hopes people experience when they listen to his tracks, he confidently states, “Vibe. From the minute you hear the song, you must be happy.” This focus on creating positive, uplifting vibes is evident in his music, which is designed to make people dance, smile, and connect with the rhythm of life.

BREAKTHROUGH MOMENT

Ceeka RSA’s career truly took off with the release of ‘Mnike,’ a collaboration with Tyler ICU and Tumelo.za The track was an instant success and became one of the biggest hits in the Amapiano genre. “My breakthrough was ‘Mnike.’ When Tyler ICU dropped that song, it changed my life. I’m also featured on the song, and from there, I started working with a lot of people in the industry,” he says. ‘Mnike‘ opened doors for Ceeka RSA, propelling him into the spotlight and allowing him to collaborate with top artists and producers in the industry.

‘INTWE MNANDI’ IS NOW AVAILABLE- STREAM HERE

JOINING BABY BLUE ENTERTAINMENT

Ceeka RSA’s signing to Baby Blue Entertainment, the record label founded by Tyler ICU, was a turning point in his career. The partnership not only provided him with more exposure but also helped him sharpen his craft. “I joined Baby Blue last year because after we did ‘Mnike,’ we made more songs together and realized we make magic. So, I signed with Baby Blue. Working with Tyler ICU is something else. If it wasn’t for his creative process, some songs wouldn’t be as great. So, it’s amazing working with him,” Ceeka RSA shares. The label’s support has allowed him to refine his skills and grow as an artist.

One of Ceeka RSA’s main goals as a producer is to create music that resonates with listeners on an emotional level. When asked what he hopes people experience when they listen to his tracks, he confidently states, “Vibe. From the minute you hear the song, you must be happy.” This focus on creating positive, uplifting vibes is evident in his music, which is designed to make people dance, smile, and connect with the rhythm of life.

OVERCOMING CHALLENGES IN THE INDUSTRY

Like many artists, Ceeka RSA has faced his fair share of challenges, particularly in navigating the business side of the music industry. “It’s gigs. People call you, promise to pay you, but then they don’t. But you just have to keep pushing through,” he says, highlighting the realities of being a musician in a competitive environment. Despite these obstacles, Ceeka RSA remains dedicated to his craft, always striving to improve and stay true to his musical vision.

THE CREATION OF ‘JEALOUSY’, ‘EBASINI’ AND COLLABORATING WITH KHALIL HARRISON

Ceeka RSA’s tracks Jealousy and Ebasini are both a testament to his growth as a producer and his ability to create infectious, danceable music. Reflecting on the creation of Jealousy, he recalls, “I remember I was in the studio with Tyler, and we wanted to continue with the sound. Luckily, LeeMcKrazy and Khalil were around, and they went wild. They only did one take, and they freestyled.” As for Ebasini, he shares, “It was a studio camp. There was a lot of us, we were working, energies were connecting, and we just made what we also do.” Both tracks showcase his knack for blending different musical elements to create memorable, catchy tunes.

One of the artists Ceeka RSA particularly enjoys collaborating with is Khalil Harrison, whose creativity and vocal talents have contributed to some of his biggest hits. “He’s too much. The first time I heard him, he was recording a song, and after, I told him that I wanted to work with him. He has a dope creative process. He is a vocalist and producer as well, so kumandi,” Ceeka RSA says. Their collaborations have resulted in several successful tracks, further solidifying Ceeka RSA’s place in the industry.

Looking ahead, Ceeka RSA has big dreams of collaborating with even more top artists in the industry. “Kabza De Small again, Mdu TRP, I can’t mention many because I’ve worked with most of them,” he shares. These collaborations are sure to elevate his sound even further and showcase his versatility as a producer.

With its infectious beat and catchy hook, “Jealousy” has become a global hit, resonating with fans beyond South Africa. Ceeka RSA believes the song is part of a larger movement that is taking Amapiano to the world. “Jealousy is one of the biggest songs outside of South Africa. I think it’s introducing our different sounds to the world,” he says. The song’s success highlights the growing global appeal of Amapiano and the ability of South African artists to reach international audiences.

WHAT FANS CAN EXPECT

Fans of Ceeka RSA can look forward to his album, Into Emnandi, which dropped today, 6 December. The album promises to deliver more of his signature sound, blending Amapiano with elements of Gqom and house. “I’m dropping an album in December, Intwe Mnandi. Watch out for that,” he teases, hinting at what is sure to be a highly anticipated release.

‘INTWE MNANDI’ IS NOW AVAILABLE- STREAM HERE

THE FUTURE OF AMAPIANO

As Amapiano continues to dominate the global music scene, Ceeka RSA is excited to see where the genre is headed. “It’s that the sound is changing every day. I’m excited to see where it goes,” he says, expressing his enthusiasm for the future of Amapiano. With its constant evolution, Amapiano is poised to remain a key player in the global music landscape.

Ceeka RSA’s journey in the music industry is an inspiring story of passion, perseverance, and evolution. From his roots in Daveyton to his rise as a key player in the Amapiano scene. He has proven that hard work and staying true to one’s creative vision can lead to success. As the genre continues to grow, there’s no doubt that Ceeka RSA will be at the forefront. Creating music that resonates with fans around the world.