In Conversation with: Amongst the People I Know

When you meet the driving force behind Amongst The People I Know, it becomes clear that this isn’t just a music project — it’s a statement of identity, connection, and defiance against artistic isolation. Born from the echoes of a powerful rap chorus and shaped through years of performing in bands, this drummer-turned-founder has carved out a space where collaboration is sacred and storytelling is central.

In this conversation, he unpacks the emotional weight behind the name, reflects on the long road to releasing his debut solo EP, and shares what it means to build a creative life without compromising vision or community. Whether behind a drum kit or building with peers, his message is simple: don’t do it alone.

The name Amongst The People I Know carries a kind of weight. Where did that come from for you?
There was a rapper from Pretoria — I don’t think he raps anymore. The topics he tackled really resonated with me. He had a song called The People I Know, where he broke it down into the people he grew up with, those he met in the city, and the ones he encountered through music. The chorus stuck with me. It goes:
“Amongst the people I know, some are good and some are bad, some I appreciate, and some I wish I never met. Some I like, some I love to hate. No man is an island — remember that.”
That really hit home because I’m a people’s person, but there are also people I wish I’d never met. I’m part of many small communities, and the line “no man is an island” reminds me how important it is to belong — whether to family, friends, school, church, or wherever you find your people.

When you started Amongst The People I Know, where were you in your life at that point?
I’ve played in different bands — at church, in varsity, with poets and choirs. I was always part of a group, but those bands would end before we got anywhere. I got tired of not having control over how far I could take something. I first conceptualized the project in 2016, but only started with the logo, business registration, and admin around 2018, when I began to define what I wanted it to look like.

Are you intentional about who you collaborate with? Do you enjoy collaborating?
Absolutely. I’m very cautious about who I play for, even when I was starting out. I’m a drummer, yes, but when you book me, you’re getting more than just someone to play drums. I bring knowledge, resources, and connections. I take collaboration seriously, and I don’t want to waste time on something that’s just for fun. My life and brand are rooted in people and collaboration. Even my solo project functions like a band. But I’m more drawn to collaborations that lead to tangible releases — real songs we’ve created together that show we were in the same room. The whole ethos is: don’t do it alone.

Have you always been into music, or did that come later?
Two things happened around the same time. I discovered soccer and music when I was about 13 or 14. I was actually a really good soccer player, but it’s physically demanding and doesn’t leave much room for other passions. With music, you step into spaces like fashion and art — you’re exposed to a much bigger world. At 16, I committed fully to music.

When you make music, do you follow a structure or just go with the flow?
For a long time, I could only play drums. I didn’t know how to make music. When I started trying to produce, I didn’t want to use loops or samples that weren’t mine. It didn’t feel right to call it a solo project if the ideas weren’t fully mine. So it took time to learn the software, understand music theory, and develop my sound. These days, I come up with ideas and take them to my band or the two homies I made the EP with. I ask them to interpret what I’m trying to do in their own way, then I tweak things until it sounds right. I don’t want my ideas to feel rigid — I like flexibility and experimentation.

From what I’ve seen live, there’s a strong sense of storytelling in your drumming. Do you play with a narrative in mind, or do you follow the mood?
I’m not formally trained — I went to the school of YouTube. So it has to feel right. I play from the heart. Formally trained musicians use technical terms, but I tend to hear and interpret things differently. I started with the djembe, and that shaped how I approach the drum kit. I used to avoid solos because I didn’t feel confident. But playing a residency with Mars Baby in 2022 really built my character. It helped me take ownership of solos. That’s where I can really tell a story.

As a drummer, do you find yourself always listening for the drums when you hear music or watch a band?
Music is like a seven-colour Sunday meal. When people say “just listen to the lyrics,” it’s like saying “just eat the rice.” I want the full plate. I listen to everything. But of course, if something’s off with the drums, I’ll notice. And when I do focus on the drums, I can usually tell who’s playing. Every drummer has their own signature.

What has Amongst The People I Know — and working with others — taught you about yourself?
I’ve learned there’s nothing I can’t do if I really commit. Most of the fears and mental blocks I had before were unnecessary. They held me back too long. I started my music career “late,” and sometimes I wonder what could’ve happened if I’d started earlier. But everything happens when it’s meant to. I’ve also learned I have a really high tolerance for pain and long hours. I have a child, a 9–5, I work at NORMVL, and I’m still a full-time musician. I just have a high threshold. That’s how I get it done.

You mentioned you’re working on something new. What’s that project shaping up to be?
This is my debut solo EP. I’ve never released music before. So this is me stepping out and saying, “This is what I sound like.” And I’m proud of it. It sounds amazing, honestly. I think people will love it as much as I do, maybe even more. I just need to finish a few tweaks before I release it.

And are we going to see more live performances and new music this year?
This month alone, I’m performing five times. I’m planning my May shows now — I want to hit Cape Town and East London. I also want to drop a second EP later this year.

How do you stay flexible and keep your vision intact as you grow?
In the music community I’m part of, I’m considered old. A lot of the people I started with aren’t making music anymore. What’s kept me going is staying interested in what’s happening around me — the music, the gigs, the scene. I stay humble, but I know my worth. I stay open to learning, especially from younger people. I believe that when you open yourself up to things, they come to you.

To Catch the last bit of the running tour, find the dates below…

12th April – JHB – King Kong w/ Operation Khataza

13th April – DBN – The Chairman w/ Operation Khataza

16th April – JHB – Your Weekly Touch Up w/ MandiFeze & ByLwansta

19th April – Lesotho – Cafe What? w/ Flex Of He & I, MandiFeze & ByLwansta

24th April – PTA – VULA Food Shack w/ Flex Of He & I

30th April – DBN – Your weekly touch up w/ ByLwansta, Bleee.t, S-Que, NU-BAM & Toroh O Wano