Artists To Watch: Tanzanian Producer Duo, Put2sleep
Kwikiwri and Throneboy of Put2sleep
Dynamic producer duo Put2sleep made their entry into East Africa’s vibrant hip-hop scene earlier this year with ‘Kama Kawa’, a bouncy, trap-infused track that features emerging rap stars Swahilipapi and Joseph Kiwango. The duo group consists of Alfred Rodgers (Throneboy) and Kelvin Henry (Kwikwiri) who both grew up in Dar-es-salaam, Tanzania and spent their adulthoods in Arusha and Moshi.
Throneboy and Kwikwiri’s journey together began when they were connected by Tanzanian rapper and frequent collaborator, Brian Simba. After working on ‘Silali’, off of Simba’s UNCLE GUNI EP, the pair developed an understanding and chemistry that led to the establishment of establishing Put2sleep. Throneboy began tapping into music in high school by laying verses and occasionally singing on his own instrumentals. Kwikwiri on the other hand started making beats as a habitual hobby and in time mastered mixing, mastering and recording music. The two have since established studios in their hometown and gone on to work with some of the most exciting new wave rappers from Tanzania and Kenya.
We caught up with the duo to learn more about what they’ve been up to and their journey so far.
When did you start putting music out? What was the first project you released?
We as Put2sleep started putting out music early this year, and the first record we released was Kama Kawa featuring Swahilipapi and Joseph Kiwango. Moreover, we are planning to release an EP by late August or early September.
What prompted you to get into producing music?
For both of us, it’s the influence from our music industry icons such as P-Funk Majani and of course from Western recording producers such as Kanye West, No I.D and Timbaland, to mention a few. On the other hand, we have always wanted to change the direction of how people view producers in East Africa.
What have been your musical influences? What did you grow up listening to?
We both grew up listening to a bunch of music, from rumba, rap, gospel music of course because that was the music played in our houses growing up. Western music from Micheal Jackson, 50 Cent, P-diddy, Eminem, Westlife and without forgetting bongo flava, we tapped into that most of the time on radio; artists like Ngwair, Ferouz, Crazy GK, Professor Jay, Lady Jaydee and the whole Bongo records roster in general that was poppin’.
What was the first album you fell in love with? Why that album?
ThroneBoy: Eminem`s Marshall Mathers LP. That was really a classic, I really loved it.
Kwikwiri; First Album I really fell in love with was J.Cole's 2014 Forest Hills Drive. Another classic from Cole, this is my favorite album.
What is your creative process?
Honestly, most of the time it’s usually that when we love something we work on it, we don't have a specific formula for doing what we do. However, Kwikwiri does most of the post (mixing and mastering) and Throneboy usually starts out things, but it works either way, it just depends on the vibe of that day.
Tell us more about some of the recent tracks you’ve put out?
Most recent ones have been Habash and Buckle Up, both these were made during the quarantine period. Habash has become the hottest. Kwikwiri made the beat and talked to Throneboy about sending it to Swahilipapi. In a few days we heard Jovi was hopping on it, Ekumbo and finally, when it came back, Brian Simba really loved it and decided to put a verse on it. The rest is history.
What has been your experience navigating Tanzania’’s creative industry? How do you feel about the scene as a whole and how do you and your friends/collaborators fit in?
The creative industry in Tanzania is still growing, it’s actually moving really fast because there are a lot of creatives emerging. However there are not enough opportunities e.g. Tangaza Magazine in KE. Something like this would be really dope on these ends. No complaints though, that’s why we are tapping into our neighbors and our plan is also to establish a media powerhouse in the near future.
We have our own lane that is uncharted and unique, that is what we do by collaborating with artists, this is new in Tanzania, so people are getting to know us even more in time and they really appreciate what we do.
What have you been listening to recently?
We both listen to a lot of stuff, Migos, Jovi, Eminem, Gunna and Drake to mention a few.
When you’re not making music, what are you doing?
Actually Throneboy enjoys hanging out and listening to live performances and Kwikwiri is all about the music. Music is our lifestyle in general
Who is your dream collaboration (could be alive or dead)?
Drake, Eminem and Kanye West…. Metro Boomin, we have a lot!
What does the future look like for you?
Grammy`s, Billboard awards, a million record sales and to have helped a lot of artists get into the studio and put out good music even when they can’t afford studio sessions. We want to help a lot of artists and producers in the near future.
Keep up with Put2sleep here.
