A one man rock band – perhaps that’s the easiest way to describe Ntuthuko Majola, or Drumkit, as he is better known to his legion of fans. His well crafted blend of high pitch sounds and low-key base is a unique talent (some might say, a gift) that has made Ntuthuko one of the best-known beat boxers in the city.
It’s sometimes tough for Drumkit, who hails from the Ridge area, to grasp that a guy who began beat boxing as a joke, is now one of the best in the business. “It was by total accident,” he says with his deep bass voice and a hat hanging just above the eyeline.
“Me and my friends got into it just for fun but after a while I was the only one who really started taking this thing seriously.”
And it is that seriousness that has seen Drumkit hopping on many of the country’s best stages and performing in a range of festivals, even going to New York to compete in an international beat boxing competition. “Going to New York was surreal,” he says “it’s the kind of thing you dream about when you’re a kid, but when it finally happens it’s like, wow, I didn’t really think it was at all possible.”
Despite having graced many stages with top performers, Drumkit admits that it’s still important for him to keep his feet on the ground and practise his craft. “I never want to feel big. That’s why I don’t mind doing small gigs or just performing in the streets for a few people; it’s all fun for me,” he says.
And it’s that sense of playfulness that is quickly making Drumkit a recognisable face on Durban’s hip hop scene. He is currently working on a series of mix tapes with several of Durban’s underground rappers.
“For me, artistic collaboration is important,” he says “and it plays a key role in taking your craft to the next level. When you’re around other people that are passionate about what they do, you can only learn from it.”
Ridge editor Garth Johnstone saw the multitalented Drumkit in action at a recent event at the House of Curries in Florida and was blown away. “I was completely ignorant of the skill level and the variety of sounds one person can perform. I was stoked, it sounded like there was a whole group on stage, but it was just Drumkit. I was chuffed to meet him and learn a bit more about his trade.”
But how exactly do you refine your voice to get that quintessential mix of hard base and smooth guitar? Well, Drumkit’s secret formula involves a lot of vocal training and a pinch of luck.
“People think that you just start making things up, but it’s important to warm up your vocal cords like any singer,” he says. “But I must admit that luck plays a big part, and I think I am among the luckiest, because I don’t often get the flu.
Flu is the worst enemy of a person in my line of work,” he concludes with a wry smile. – Sihle Mthembu
1 Comment
He really is truly amazing at what he does.