SA: Apple Music adds Citizen Deep as latest Isgubhu cover star

The announcement comes after the release of Citizen Deep’s debut album ARCADE, which is available for streaming on Apple Music in Spatial Audio. His ARCADE 2 album is set for release on 29 July.

The 12-track ARCADE project is a result of the downtime afforded to the DJ by South Africa’s initial lockdown in 2020. ARCADE, an acronym for A Rare Collection of Art Designed to Entertain, has an Afro-tech signature that was spearheaded by the hit single ‘Ilizwi’.

“What an honour to be able to share some of my favourite tracks with you,” Citizen Deep told Apple Music. “Thank you Apple Music. My Isgubhu playlist on Apple Music is filled with various young South African producers. While exploring the playlist, you will definitely connect and understand the different types of Sgubhu [beats] we have to offer. What a vast variety of dance music we have as a nation.”

The Soweto-born DJ’s exclusive Isgubhu playlist showcases South Africa’s next generation of producers and DJ.

Taking over Isgubhu By… for this month is DJ and deep house producer DWSON (real name Ashwin Julies) who is gearing up to release his EP later this year. After playing at some of South Africa’s most prestigious stages – including the Cape Town Electronic Music Festival, Oppikoppi, Red Bull Music Academy, Ultra Music Festival and Rocking the Daisies – DWSON has become one of the most sought-after producers on the scene. With an innate feel for collaborative creation, DWSON’s music is rich with strands of dub and soul.

“Each selection for this Apple Music Isgubhu By… feature has had a huge impact on the industry,” DWSON said. “Here are many heavy hitters that have paved a way for South African dance music. There are a number of songs that are a decade old and more but still get celebrated. These songs are childhood and mid-high school gems that I had on repeat and take me back to the days I collected CDs of my favourite local producers, artists and compilers.”