Behind The Beats: Hookage's Steady Rise To The Top
photo credits: BACKYARDSTORIES BOTSWANA
In the first edition of our interview series, we have hookage, a music producer/beatmaker born and raised in Francistown and Gaborone. He produces a wide variety of genres. The producer says his exposure to different genres( hip-hop, rap, neo-soul, rnb, deep house, etc.) and cultures nurtured his ability to produce different genres.
He has produced for a variety of artists and musicians locally and internationally, but notably, he’s produced for Kaysotheenigma's “Cherry Bomb,” which won 'Best Female Single' at the YAMAs, as well as three songs off her debut album “Fifth Heaven."
How did you come up with the name Hookage?
So i got the name from the anime series, Naruto but i added a twist to it. In the series, the original word is “hokage” and this is the title given to the leader of the specific village . So i added an extra “o” to honestly avoid copyright infringement issues but the meaning behind the name stands because i view my music and audience as my “village” and it’s my responsibility to take care of them.
How did you get into music production?
It started off as me playing music production games on my tablets as a child around the ages from 9 to 13 because i had always had this deep-rooted interest and passion for music but never really knew how to get into making my own stuff. So in grade 8/form 1, i met someone who taught me how to use Fl Studio and so i started making beats in 2017
We really like your ability to blend different genres into one track, who or what would you say has influenced your style of production?
Honestly, it’s an amalgamation of different producers and artists as i take different things from the individually. For example, i love the way Pharell Williams approaches his beats and certain chord progressions, where with The Alchemist, his ability to chop up samples the way he does or even just finding the samples he does is amazing then artists like Smino or JID, who manipulate their voices to sound a certain way whilst also using their voice as percussive instruments is also insane.
One of our favourite tracks by you is Need U, what's the story behind the track,who's on the vocals?
With that song, the whole thing is honestly a different song that didn’t have any drums on it but just vocals, keys and bass. i can’t even remember the original name of the song but i separated the song into those different layers and added drums of my own. I initially wanted to keep it for myself but i knew i had to at least post it
You've worked with numerous artists across different genres,out of all these collaborations which one would you say is your favourite?
I don’t think i can put a finger on my favorite because we all work together but if i had to choose right now, it would have to be spacerover and lucas chubbs
Which artist would you like to work with that you haven't yet?
There are so many artists i really want to work with atm but for now it would have to be K.alahari without a doubt
Before you performed your set for Backyard Stories, they revealed that you learned how to dj with vinyls from your dad, how was the whole process?
So it’s an interesting story because my dad and his brothers are all former Djs but had their own preferred genres hence why i have the variety of genres between house, hiphop, rnb etc. It was mainly my dad teaching me but the whole process of actually using vinyl was hard but i caught on quickly because i never used digital djing software so i had nothing to reference.
So Botswana was recently introduced to the music collective 'Ascension Pleas' and how it came about but, we'd like to hear from your perspective about how you met the others, your music production process and how being part of the group benefits you as hookage?
So as we explain prior, it really was just coincidence because we didn’t really even have a motive to be at UB apart from rehearsals for Pablo%8’s show that week and we then just decided to work on something. In terms of meeting them, i had already known banzai the longest as we already been working since 2021 but i met Lucas Chubbs and spacerover last year, same with briann bc but that we met at UB was the first time me and BC (briann BC) made music together. For the time being, i usually just give them old beats i didn’t have use for but recently we’ve been working hard with the new beats i’ve been making. I usually make a beat then send it to them to see if they feel it then the decision is made whether to use it or not. Me being apart of the group let’s their audiences become aware of who i am and possibly follow me in my journey and on the other hand, it let’s me share my love for music with like minded people who i can consider my friends and that deep love for music is something you can’t share with anyone
A lot of new generation artists and creative platforms have been emerging in Botswana, which one would you say has stood out the most?
I would firstly say you guys because i’ve seen you guys grow so rapidly but it’s because of your authenticity. Other artists that have really caught my eye are borus, chrysus, emo, mantra, magadi. there are so many more but they’re just a few to name
Favourite producer from Botswana?
it would have to be Simba the Indigo, one of the members of K.alahari
Out of all the songs you produced, which one stands out the most to you?
It would have to be some unreleased, song name titled “Honesty” which will feature on my debut album. It might be my best produced song at the moment
What's next for you, Hookage?
I’ve been quietly working on my debut album which is set to drop next year. This album is what I’ve been working on apart from working with other artists, just slowly piecing it together and it’s going to be a great start for me to establish not only as a music producer but an overall musician.
instagram: @hookagesamaa
stream hookage: campsite.bio
