The Lowkeys Reveal Why They Named The Lead Single Of Their New Album ‘Van Damme’. The Lowkeys were Pretoria’s best-kept secret until they were discovered by the late DJ Sumbody. They have known each other since high school. When they realised they had a passion for music production and performing arts, they formed an alternative amapiano/house band, known as The Lowkeys. They started out when they were both 17 years back in 2016. They had a third member who left the group to pursue a solo career.
They’ve produced some of the most popular amapiano songs from Pretoria. Speaking to The Yanos Magazine in an interview, the multi-gold selling production diverse duo consisting of Quinton “Q Unlimited” Gama (25) and Mongezi “Big Zee” Mashabela (25) have released a 22-track album, titled Don’t Press Play, that features unknown artists after the success of their single Van Damme. They say they decided to name the lead single of the album ‘Van Damme, “because of the things we went through during our music journey and we are heroes in our stories.”
Having had their own “Van Damme” in the industry fought for them to be in the mainstream and perform globally and then losing him, they have decided to become their own Van Damme and they want to let other young artists know that they can be their own too.
“Van Damme is the evolution of The Lowkeys, a fresh urban look into the artist being his hero, it is a story of a victory lap, making it to the other side despite the many challenges and hardships of the entertainment industry. A threat to challenges still coming. Ready to kick down doors,” says Q Unlimited.
They say working with Sumbody has influenced their decision to only work with unknown artists. They want to pass the baton to the new kids in the block because they have been there and know how it feels to not have a platform to showcase what they have. “We intentionally chose to feature the new kids in amapiano because they give it their all and they are hungry to be heard. And because it is a first album and it is personal even the subject on some of the music is about our emotions, touching on our experience during the lockdown and love, so we wanted to feature people who will authentically articulate their feeling and experience. We are here to spread joy, love, and light,” says Big Zee
