The word jungle is typically associated with an area of land encompassed with vegetation and living organisms that coexist to create what we perceive to be considered the ‘wild’.
In the wild, there are no rules – no imposed limitations set forth by governing bodies or legislative decrees that cripple the innate desire to thrive holistically.
Interestingly enough, the world of music is synonymous to the ways of the wild – it’s survival of the fittest. You either remain the same or develop a unique trait that differentiates you from the like-minded entities within your respective environment.
Jungleboi embodies the concept behind progressive advancement in the art of music composition.
Since his emergence in the music industry Jungleboi has continuously elevated the standard as it relates to never being satisfied, developing an expressive disdain for complacency.
The South-African songwriter/producer has released a slew of singles indicative of his cultural influence by way of lively acoustics and vibrant beat patterns that blend elements of EDM, Pop and Alternative into one captivating arrangement of melodic refinement.
His past work entails collaborating with the likes of will.i.am, Labrinth, Shy FX and Cara Delevingne just to name a few. After providing listeners with a mere glimpse into the extent of his eclectic catalog, Jungleboi has now released his debut EP Riding on a Light Beam.
“I wanted to put out a body of work that would introduce me well as an artist. One which would make people more familiar with my sound. Also I wanted to create almost a soundtrack to my life right now.”
Jungleboi is poised to make a significant surge in music by way of his devout appreciation for shying away from the conventional. He embraces change and welcomes his audience into a world riddled with descriptive innuendos that allude to a heightened sense of abnormality.
We had the opportunity to house a brief dialogue with the promising creative to talk about his backstory in music, debut EP and more.
Jungleboi is a pretty unique name – how did this moniker originate?
It was a play on me having African roots, most people wrongly assume Africa is this wild jungle where disharmony thrives. By wearing the name I believe I could create my own narrative of what the word means to me. I also like the sound of it. It doesn’t box me but rather keeps me fresh and unpredictable and wild but beautiful, much like a jungle.
With spending your early years in South Africa and eventually transitioning to London, how has your environment influenced your overall sound as a producer?
South Africa had a different canvas to which I was exposed to in London, it all meant rhythmically and melodically my approach was different. This helps me go in directions most people wouldn’t go to. My sound already became a fusion of many things without me having to think much about it, thus creating the “Jungleboi sound”.
Talk to me about “Riding on a Light Beam” – what inspired the title and how did this project originate?
The title comes from the song on the EP Light Beam. This was the first song I put out late last year. I wanted to put out a body of work that would introduce me well as an artist. One which would make people more familiar with my sound. Also I wanted to create almost a soundtrack to my life right now.
With this being your debut EP, what was the selection process like in choosing which songs would make the final cut for track-listing? I know that can be a relatively tough decision considering your diverse background in music.
It was really about picking songs which I felt represented me well, especially through the stories and sonically. At the same time I wanted them to be well representative of my guests on their respective records. Ultimately it was about what songs felt right for this first project. I just had to make a choice and be okay with it. Knowing that there’s many more releases to come alleviated the pressure.
How would you define your sound?
It’s a mix of many worlds, usually heavy hitting, very emotive strong chords and “dark” yet uplifting. My drum patterns are unorthodox and so are many of my compositions. I love mixing worlds that look like they shouldn’t belong. I wasn’t formally trained as a musician. So I wasn’t told what I’m not supposed to do.
Is there a hidden message or deeper meaning within the context of “Riding on a Light Beam”?
Yes, in the sense that I see it as my perspective of how I’m seeing this right now. With a sense of clarity, enlightenment, and purpose. I refer to this as a light beam that I’m riding on. This beam cuts through the darkness that life can sometimes throw at you. From this light beam everything makes sense and I believe that I know what I’m supposed to do.
Your resume is quite impressive – I see that you’ve worked with talents ranging from the likes of will.i.am to Cara Delevingne. With the experience that you’ve had thus far as a creative, what has been one of the most viable lessons learned so far?
One of my biggest lessons has been the power of collaboration, even though I can do an entire record by myself, there’s so much in letting go of ultimate control and allowing other people’s creativity partner with yours to see what a beautiful picture that can make. At all levels collaboration and learning new things never stops.
If you had to select one song from this project to describe the current state of your life, what song would it be and why?
Light Beam, I feel enlightened or spiritually elated. It’s like I’m on a high that I don’t want to come down from. The only way to describe that feeling of bliss is like “riding on a light beam” as it pierces through the darkness.
Music composition can be a very intimate process – if applicable, what song from “Riding on a Light Beam” do you feel like left you in the most vulnerable state?
Prisoner, there’s many things I’d love to change about myself but I keep finding that every time I look in the mirror, I’m still that guy. Some of these things may be with me forever. It’s about accepting it and being okay with who you are. I’m an advocate for self development, but sometimes we’re just trying to run from who we’re supposed to be.
Closing remarks?
Music is very powerful, it attaches itself to our memories. My dream in creating is always to be part of the soundtrack of people’s lives, with strong memories attached for every season of life. I hope “Riding on a Light Beam” will be that and more for you.
