In this episode, South African pianist, producer and label head Apiwe Bubu unpacks a 20-year journey from Eastern Cape school halls and Roman’s Pizza shifts to Berklee College of Music, Grammy-winning LA studios and Amapiano nights in Los Angeles. He shares how three failed Berklee auditions, immigrant hustle and a belief in persistence shaped his craft as a mix engineer, composer, DJ and founder of global music ecosystem We Want More and the AmaKinezi Vibe brand.

Apiwe reflects on turning jazz piano into a foundation for everything from TV scores and trap beats to his debut solo album, why he calls mixing the “dark art” of music making, and what it means to build home across Pretoria, Johannesburg, the Eastern Cape and LA. The conversation dives into mentorship, signing his own mentor, navigating label partnerships with Virgin, and designing systems that let African creatives thrive across continents.

If you are an emerging producer, sound engineer, artist or storyteller balancing multiple paths, this is a masterclass in craft, resilience and improvising a life that fits who you are.

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