Aero Manyelo is one of the most interesting uprising DJs in the South African underground electronic scene. When you think of the country and its clubbing world, you inevitably think of Black Coffee. Indeed, the Umlazi-born selector and producer, arguably the most important DJ in the history of the African continent, has, of course, been one of the first to support and drive Aero Manyelo’s first steps into the industry.
My name is Aero Manyelo and I am a South African artist working under Herbal 3 Records, Swoon Recordings and Get Physical Music.
Aero is 33 years old and comes from Zebediela, a city in the northeast of the country, in one of the most northern points of all South Africa. Major labels such as Get Physical have already grabbed the shot with him, although it was Swoon Recordings the label which just released his Hold You Forever EP, consisting of two original tracks and a remix by Ryan Murgatroyd. Among those who have eulogized the release are Dixon, Âme, Pete Tong, Damian Lazarus, Lane 8, Eagles & Butterflies, and Idris Elba. Not bad at all.
Aero Manyelo works in the most melodic landscapes of dance electronica. For some, it is melodic house. For others, it is melodic techno. For him, a much more complex combination that is also influenced by his roots.
In this mix, you will find about 75% of the kind of music I make. My music can be described in so many different ways. It can be Afro or electronica, depending on the goal of the final product. Any song is special to me in this mix. That is why it is there. But, if I had to ask for special attention to one of them, I would look out for my new “Hold You Forever”, a track I worked featuring Unnamed People.
This mix was recorded in my studio in South Africa using a Pioneer DDJ 800 controller.
In it, Aero Manyelo takes us from emotional and bucolic ambient atmospheres to euphoric and happy dance proposals, always with the strengthening of emotions as a clear objective. In this hour of music, we find works from Roze FR, Laoulu, Lane 8 and Denis Horvat, among others. This is an ideal introduction to one of the electronic musicians who could pave the way for a new generation of producers and DJs in southern Africa.
(Cover Image: © Cyril Mzamo)