Dirty Paraffin Interview

Words-Art Jefferson
Photography-Paul Shiakallis

Lately there has been quite a bit of focus on the bubbling music scene of South Africa with its melting pot of diverse culture and sounds. However, one of the more recent and exciting groups to emerge from Johannesburg is the duo Okmalumekoolkat and Dokta SpiZee better known to the world as Dirty Paraffin. Creating a digital alchemy of electronica, Hip-Hop, Kwaito and a stew of unorthodox rhythms merged with art and style, even artists such as Spoek Mathambo has credited Okmalumkoolkat as being a ‘fashion don’. In 2009 Dirty Paraffin released their “Greatest Hitstape Vol. 1” which sounded like the soundtrack to a never ending party and more recently dropped the “Dirty Paraffin EP” which contained the anthem “Papap! Papap!” While many rappers try to convince the world about the amount of “swagger” that they have, Dirty Paraffin makes it look easy and natural. Okmalumkoolkat just collaborated with UK electronic dubsmiths LV for the single “Sebenza” which is being released on Hyperdub in August and the group currently carving out more videos for the “D.P.E.P”. The music of Dirty Paraffin is a reflection of the vibrancy of a bright new South Africa that is unstoppable.

AJ-Dirty Paraffin’s sound crosses many boundaries but still manages to remain fresh and original. How would you describe your sound and what are some of your influences?

Okmalumkoolkat-We are on a mission to forge a new sound/genre called Primustof, we initially started making music that captured a nostalgic young South African feeling. The influences are everything from the people, places and the music we listen to. We pick up vibes all the time. You can only imagine the kind of place new South Africa is, it’s a melting pot. We are situated in the eye of this storm, in Jo’burg, the capital city.

AJ-When did you two form the group and was it a conscious decision to push the boundaries of music? I ask this because South Africa has had a strong music scene of years, especially for Hip-Hop but once again, Dirty Paraffin’s sound steps outside of the lines.

Okmalumkoolkat-The group was formed in 2009 and we were determined to fuck shit up from the go. Thick don’t care attitude.

We really felt like a lot of artists aren’t pushing as hard as they should be in the 2000s, I mean, this is supposed to be the future. We grew up in the 90s on Kwaito which was quite mellow. House music took over and it was faster than that, all the while listening to American MoTown sounds, modern RnB sounds and rap. We heard a little bit of what was happening in the 80s. As we got older, we started digging deeper into what 80s South African sounds were like; we were completely blown away by how futuristic local disco was compared to international disco. Most of these records weren’t embraced as much as the international stuff though, so there was a gap between that generation and the ones after.

We feel like we want to connect those generations. Hence the futurism and the pinch of heritage in the music, design and direction.

AJ-You have the “D.P.E.P” currently out now which features “Papap! Papap!” The EP definitely makes you want to jump up, get hype and have a good time. Is that normally the aim when you two are recording the tracks?

Okmalumkoolkat-Pretty much. We are the party guys essentially on this EP. There are tracks that touch on the landscape and the mindscape of today’s South African youth, tracks like Download This and Papap! Papap!

Primustof is a digital punk- maskandi vibe we will be pushing hard in the project, where there are lot of melodies and repetition.

Big Bucks Bonanza is set in a crazy shisanyama ( Barbecue ) spot where the owner bought too much stock so he comes up with an impromptu game show, hilarious shit.

Big Bootyholic is just amazing as an ode to the booty all over the world. The booty is a special thing. The booty can make or break a potential lover to a lot of people. It has power. There’s a 4 step rule where you walk past a pretty face and you take three to four steps to check out the booty.

Ok zharp!malumkoolkat is a club banger about a cool kat who is got bills to pay but girls want to suck him dry, so he jumps out of that mentality like a jack in the box. Still focusing on social commentary while we sweating it out on dance floors all over the world.

AJ-Another thing that you guys are known for is your element of style and fashion. Talk about that visual aspect of the group.

Okmalumkoolkat-The fashion is an extension of what we are trying to communicate through the music, videos and design. We live this, it’s not just in the videos. We don’t have stylists, we have been styling since.

AJ-I know that recently there was the collaboration with LV for Hyperdub and the video is now out. It seems that everyone is really tuning in to the talented artists in Johannesburg. What can the world expect from Dirty Paraffin in the near future?

Okmalumkoolkat-A whole of videos for the EP, a bunch of remixes of our fave tracks, a young Greatest Hits vol. II tape. We are currently stitching up mixes as Dirty Paraffin Radio. If an album knocks we will open the door also. Big Tings Only!