Hidden Conversations: MODIKA.

From church pews in his childhood to finely tuned sessions behind the production desk, MODIKA. has walked a quietly determined path through South Africa’s music scene. A multi-instrumentalist, producer, and creative mind, he brings more than just talent to the stage this Saturday at Hidden Spaces — he brings intention.

“I started doing music when I was 10 years old. I would walk a considerable distance to
church just so I could practise on the instruments there, because I didn’t own any at the
time.” he recalls. That early passion, free of pressure or performance, still shapes his philosophy today. “Practice never felt like work. I was a kid, a kid that enjoyed playing music, so fun is all it was.”

Though he’s known for his understated presence, MODIKA.’s approach to music is anything but ordinary. “I seldom think of myself as an artist – a performing artist that is. I think of myself as an artist in the sense that I am a creative, not necessarily a front-facing act,” he says. It’s a sentiment that threads through his work, a refusal to chase the spotlight for its own sake. “Being famous has never appealed to me. If I could make money and stay at home, I’d do that any day.”

His blend of instinct and discipline is rare. MODIKA. has honed his skills across instruments and production software alike, becoming the kind of modern artist who wears multiple hats without making a show of it. “Nowadays, when you’re an artist, you need to be able to record yourself, do some mixing, shoot your own content, and edit it too.” he says. “I don’t think those two [producer and artist] are different or mutually exclusive anymore. Unlike in the past, the producer’s role was more conceptual, shaping the vision and working with artists, while engineers handled the technical stuff.”

Despite the technical fluency, his compass remains emotional and intuitive. “I love playing. I love being on stage with my friends. I just love creating, you know?” That joy, shared with collaborators and quietly supported by his family, is the pulse behind his sound.

For all his growth, MODIKA. still credits a good portion of his journey to timing. “I’ve had opportunities that were way bigger than what my skill was at the time. I attributed it to chance, I was at the right place at the right time.” But even then, he met those moments of opportunity with a quiet resolve. ‘Come to me with a request, and I’ll make sure to see it through. I might not be confident when the project is first pitched, but I’ll equip myself and deliver through the
process.”

MODIKA. plays Hidden Spaces at The Fort in Sandton on Saturday, 24 May. Expect more than just sound, expect presence, purpose, and a rare kind of clarity from one of the scene’s most quietly compelling figures.