Interviews

We chat with BNinjas about his creative process, his deep connection to South African culture, and the inspirations that fuel his passion. His new EP "Girl Jus Pull Up" is out now on Dealt With Records.

Hey BNinjas, great to meet you! What's happening in your world at the minute?

Hi, thanks for having me, great to meet you too! Currently, it's winter in SA, very cold and hard to be in my studio all the time making beats. But I find ways to keep it going.

How did the collaboration with Dealt With Records come about?

Big ups!! For the Girl Jus Pull Up EP love. Check, the EP was an extension or continuation of the Shake EP that I dropped with Dealt With Records in 2023, which did very well. I felt I had to come back and give yet again a solid EP with them, so we had worked together before.

Where did you grow up, and how did your environment shape your relationship with music?

I grew up in the west of Johannesburg in the 90s, where at the time house music was just played everywhere - radio, TV, the streets, cars, transport on your way to school. Weekends, a party or street bash would pop up and we'd hear all the good stuff the DJs would play us. The music would always be called international house. Words like -6-6” would mean the party kicks off at 6 in the evening and ends 6 in the morning. That's when I fell in love with music, it was simply everywhere, I couldn't resist the bug till today.

Can you share some insight into your creative process when producing music? Do you have any particular rituals or methods that help you stay inspired?

Ohh no rituals at all! For me to start a project I need a sample to lead me - most of the time drum breaks, top loops, vox, old jazz sounds - then I can push it to my liking or into my own sound. Or sometimes I just play my MIDI and come up with chords. Depends on how I feel on a project.

Can you describe the connection between your music and your South African roots, and how they continue to influence your music today?

SA roots, mom's Venda and dad is Tsonga, north of SA, full of culture and music. But nope, SA is home but my sound is heavily German, UK, overseas influenced. Like I mentioned above, growing up the old school Gs would call the sound “international”, so yes, my music is boundaryless. Most times fans and people in South Africa get confused by my sound, thinking I’m from overseas, only to find out I’m one of them. Proudly South African, trust me, there’s very good musicians in the motherland.

As someone deeply rooted in the House scene, what state is it in right now? What notable artists are emerging?

Well, the house scene is still going hard. Sub-genres are also taking centre stage but I love the way we still keep it going. Artists that are emerging, loving Eloi, French producer - love the house-to-jazz feel that he creates, big fan. Also Iceland native Intr0beatz, currently now in Berlin, he’s been at it for years and I always love the way he keeps it groovy from day one till today.

What's been the highlight of your career so far?

Always knew I’d reach a point where internationally my music would be loved and played almost every weekend. So yes, getting booked to Saudi Arabia to play a closing set for Peachez House in Jeddah for Anmarz and Baloo and Family Section opening up for me - that will always be a highlight of my career, rent free. Playing in front of a crowd just there to enjoy and show love is priceless for me. Big ups to them.

If you could play B2B with any DJ, who would it be and why?

Definitely Black Loops. He is a rare kind of artist - creating and playing music, he will always catch you with one good tune that gets you off guard and you’re like “oh my goodness where did he get this fire tune from?”. I love those kinda DJs and that’s what I tend to do when I play my sets. I feel a B2B with him would flow well.

When you are not busy with music, what might we find you doing?

Spending time with family - visiting my younger sister and my two nephews is priceless to me. Going out to watch soccer and catch up with mates. I’d say I spend most of my time making music all round.

Finally, what do you have coming up in the next few months? Feel free to mention anything!

Still doing remix work and a few EPs that will drop later during the year, a single on a VA with dope artists on it, and making more music for 2026 already. I always want to be ahead of time.

Check out the latest release from BNinjas.