VANCO INTERVIEW: 3 SONIC ARCHITECTURE SECRETS BEHIND MAKING EMOTIONAL AND UPLIFTING MUSIC
VANCO INTERVIEW: The ultimate test of any dance music producer is the ability to channel complex, heavy human emotions into a groove that unifies a crowded room. Johannesburg’s own Vanco has mastered this delicate balance, engineering a signature sound that is simultaneously bittersweet, emotional, and profoundly uplifting.
From massive collaborative records like Ma Tnsani (Yalla Habibi) and Wele Wele to his globally revered, unofficial edit of Water—which was born out of deep personal adversity—Vanco treats music production as a vital vessel for storytelling. For this edition of our Sonic Architects feature, the South African DJ and producer steps out from behind the decks to discuss his upcoming summer anthems, the legendary masterminds who influence his sonic palette, and why accessibility in music technology is a win for creative freedom.
Firstly, briefly introduce yourself.
I’m Vanco, a DJ and producer from Johannesburg, South Africa. I’d describe my music as bittersweet, emotional, and uplifting. I always try to create music that makes people feel something while still bringing them together on the dancefloor.
What would you say are the most popular beats you’ve created?
My favourite project is probably my ‘Water (Vanco Edit)’. It was never an official release—I made it simply because I loved the original song and wanted a version that fit perfectly into my DJ sets.I created it in January 2024 during one of the most challenging periods of my personal life. The music became an expression of everything I was feeling. I never expected it to reach so many people around the world, but it ended up putting a spotlight on my music.
That edit also inspired the sound that eventually became ‘Ma Tnsani (Yalla Habibi)’. What makes me happiest is seeing people celebrate life, travel, friendships, and special moments with my music. That’s what music is all about for me
What is your favourite song that you’ve worked on and why?
Some of my biggest records are ‘Ma Tnsani (Yalla Habibi)’ featuring Aya, ‘Isaka (6AM) (Vanco Remix)’, and ‘Wele Wele’ with Pablo Fierro and Una Rams.
Do you think that production software becoming more accessible is a positive or negative thing for music?
It’s definitely a positive. Music should be accessible to everyone because creativity is a form of freedom. The more people who create, the more we learn from each other, connect through music, and inspire new ideas.
JOIN THE INNER CIRCLE
This interview is part of our long-form content series, now hosted exclusively on our Substack. To read the full conversation with Vanco and gain access to our archive of deep-dives into the architects of Hip Hop and global culture, head over to the Viper Substack.
[READ THE FULL INTERVIEW HERE]
