UP Music: The Sermon of Saint Evo ‘The Myth’
Since taking root in South Africa’s townships, Kwaito (their localized version of house music influenced by their culture) has massively impacted African musical history.
Kwaito’s addictive bounce has seen it evolve into South Africa’s musical love - you will hear it played everywhere, from nightclubs to taxis to banks.
Five years ago, as a Kenyan student struggling to find his footing as a Business Administration freshman in South Africa, Stephen Njeru aka Saint Evo ‘The Myth’ started hanging around township parties. He got enthralled by the music and once he arrived back in Nairobi, he began experimenting - creating an Afro-beats sound for the East African region.
UP sat down for an interview with this in-demand local DJ/producer/sound engineer/ artist.
- How did you venture into deejaying?
I started in South Africa about 5 years ago. I encountered house music and fell in love. I would go to clubs and parties, chat with deejays. I started getting gigs soon after and really learned a lot from these deejays - who were the best. I eventually took up deejaying and then embarked on music production.
- Where are you playing?
At the moment, nowhere. I am busy in the studio working on my debut album.
- Tell us about your new EP.
My new remix EP is called ‘Kalijo’. The title is from the Zambian dialect, Chewa, and means ‘jealousy’. Following the EP, my next project will be a new album - Jeru. Njeru is my second name and among my people, the Embu, it means ‘New.’ As my first album, it represents a new dawn and reveals a new side of me. People know Saint Evo as the guy behind the decks in the party or on production in the studios, but now I want to give them the artistic side of me.
- What is on the horizon?
The horizon has great things. I see myself being international and representing the East African region.
- Could you kindly point us to new local artists/ producers/ DJs we should be on the lookout for?
For artists, I would say: Inami, Gachago, Naomi Wachira and Shoeshine.
DJs: Cheek-O-Dread, Dread Steppa and Marcus Ezra.
Producers: Marcus Ezra, Equa, Fahruq and Dread Steppa.
Catch Saint Evo ‘The Myth’ on his musical voyage on Soundcloud here.
Check out his website here.
Follow Saint Evo ‘The Myth’ on Facebook and Twitter
