No Matter What, Rowick Deep Sticks with Music

rowickdeep
Rowick Deep –
It’s still debatable whether a family business does or does not work, but bring on family talent always makes things happen. Rowick Deep’s family is no different when it comes to talent. There is a musical talent, and it works pretty much like any other family which has found success.

Rowick Deep, whose real name is Rowick Stevens, has found a prosperity in music which is not surprising to his family. In his early years in Johannesburg, all he ever wanted during the school holidays was to visit his uncle, Dominik, a well known DJ around the area of Mabopane, Pretoria. The bond between the duo was not just a one of birth; they both shared the same interest in music:

“He is the one who actually got me into the whole DJ thing. I used to play with all his equipment, that’s how I got into it” says Deep.”

Having been given the perfect commencement by his uncle, Rowick was lucky to meet one of the popular DJs in town, Positive K. He was influential for Rowick, not least in providing a helping hand to ultimately put the final touches in Rowick’s mixing/DJ’ing skills.

“Our music industry this side is very hard, it is a hassle day to day….Tomorrow you are up, today you’re
down!”

Deep’s career started smoothly until he came across the harsh reality of the music industry. Establishing his name and making a living at the same time was such a hurdle. He eventually took a break, abandoned his music career, and make a living elsewhere. We’ve seen many artists making hits, making a measure impact to the music industry, and then next thing you ask around about them, they are nowhere to be seen. Their career is doomed! What really drives musicians to be at the end of their tether?

“Our music industry this side is very hard, it is a hassle day to day. Basically, what happens is, you need to pay bills, you need to do this, and if you can’t make enough money, it’s like, no, I need to get out of this industry because I know it’s up and down. Tomorrow you are up, today you’re down!”

However, Rowick Deep realized that he had been living a lie, after six years, out of the music scene. It became clear that without music his life was incomplete. Four years ago, his name was brought back to the musicians lists, where it once belonged. And he is adamant that he is not a passer-by this time. He vowed:

“You’re going back into this industry, no matter what! You are just sticking in this industry.”

He signed with Multi-Racial Records, and since then, he has produced tracks that were featured on DJ’s at work-Love Generation-mixed and compiled by Christos and Vinny Da Vinci and another hot track was featured on Phezulu selection Vol 1, mixed and compiled by DJ Mbuso. Having produced tracks previously, his just-out latest album “Music is Life” has been worshiped by the public locally and House music lords across the globe. He features some of the finest South African vocalists, with another family member included, his sixteen years old cousin, Megan Pringle:

“Bucie is a superwoman to work with, oh, that woman is so talented, I’m telling you, she is a pleasure to work with.”

“I always heard that Megan can sing, Megan can sing, but I wasn’t sure about it. I gave it a test, this is what came out.” Another vocal on added to Rowick Deep’s album is from the girl who has been making noises amongst top Radio Stations in the UK, such as, Radio 1, Kiss, and quite frankly universally. This is the voice of Bucie Nqwiliso, whose performances some people still mistake for the late legend, Lebo Mathosa:

“Bucie is a superwoman to work with, oh, that woman is so talented, I’m telling you, she is a pleasure to work with. I could work with her anytime, any day again. She is on fire!”

Of course, we can’t talk about House music without mentioning Black Coffee. His name is becoming a culture of House music. Rowick believes that this is the time for South African house music to wear the trousers, and for that many thanks go to Black Coffee, who is leading the command!

“He is the one opening up all the doors in that side, that’s about it!”

So much stuff has come out from South Africans music makers. Almost every DJ in the country is said to be playing South African set. Could one ask, is this the time to discontinue remixing international tracks?

“It’s definitely the time! There is a lot of stuff in South Africa that can be remixes. I think we are on the point where we are definitely empowered. We don’t need to remix their stuff anymore. We can remix our stuff in South Africa and still can be bigger that side as well.”

South African house rocks! Fact! Unknown DJ’s are working extremely hard to be on point. Let’s face it, its every DJ’s dream to make it big in the industry. The reality is however, it’s more than tough out there. But there should be a fundamental approach that one has to follow:

“The way to get it right is by Producing . If you take a bit of your soul and put it on production, that’s what separates you from other DJ’s. You could never produce the same song the way the next person can produce. Your stuff will always find your signature in your production. That’s the way to go,” Rowick explains.

Talent aside, the most difficult part is to make a living out of this industry. That is where most people end up making hits and/or a name, but not enough money…but you’re not going to see this in your contract! You get that!

It really is a complicated business. One has to understand the business side of the music industry. Some people says, it’s all about “mula” (money). You need to make a leaving out of your talent! Rowick Deep’s advice is that:

“You must make sure that you run yourself as a business. You need to know what you are doing in terms [of] business. You know you are a DJ, DJing is like an art, it’s something that you need to take care of. So if you wanna survive , you need to work In terms of earning a living from it. First of all, you need to register yourself, make sure your songs are protected.”

Good advice.

Rowick Deep’s album is out NOW!
Listen to the interview on the podcast .

  • Download Rowick Deep’s Latest Album
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2 thoughts on “No Matter What, Rowick Deep Sticks with Music

  1. Rowick Deep is a man with talent of note… and he can only move up from here.Keep on Keeping on.

  2. Rowick Deep is a man with talent of note… and he can only move up from here.Keep on Keeping on.

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