Ever wondered what it takes to break into the music industry? We sat down with Sipho Ngqayimbana, known in the music world as Msai, to find out. From record producer and beat maker to DJ and sound engineer, Msai wears many hats—and he’s also a proud V&A Waterfront Artist Alliance graduate. His journey is a testament to following your passion, even when the path isn’t straightforward.
A Change in Tune: From Coding to Music
Msai’s story took an unexpected turn back in 2016. He was studying for a B.Sc. in Computer Science at the University of Cape Town, but when the FeesMustFall protests disrupted classes, he found himself with time on his hands. Instead of just waiting for lectures to resume, he started experimenting with FL Studio, a popular digital audio workstation. That was the beginning of a journey that would change his life.
“I’d always been into music, even back in high school,” Msai says. “I used to rap and was part of a group called Mode Method”. But picking up FL Studio and turning his focus back on music during that time made him realise that music production was something he wanted to pursue.
Following a Different Beat
Despite having the support of his family, the shift from computer science to music production wasn’t easy. He recalls that his community didn’t really get it at first. “Where I’m from people, don’t make it out of the hood with music,” he says. Here he was, someone with a degree on the way, deciding to chase music full-time. It took time for people to understand his vision.
But Msai was determined. Fast forward a few years, and he has not only built a name for himself in the Cape Town music scene but has also co-founded an independent record label, Trap Money Music Group, alongside Lurah and Jobat. The label has already released successful projects, including Trap Money Saved Me by Lurah and the collaborative tape NINETEEN95 by Msai and Lurah. His advice to young artists: it’s not as hard to start a label as people think—you just have to take that step.
The DIY Approach to Music
When asked what advice he has for aspiring producers, Msai emphasises the importance of starting, even without fancy equipment. “You don’t need an expensive setup to make music,” he says. According to him, when you’re starting out, all you really need is a laptop and some speakers.
Msai’s DIY spirit is reflected in his collaborations. He’s produced tracks for some of the city’s hardest-working artists, including Lurah, Bravo Le Roux, Soul T, Holy Alpha, and Flash Ikumkani. Recently, he co-produced a track with Kay Faith for YoungstaCPT, featuring eJayCPT—an achievement that marks a milestone in his career.
Building Connections, One Track at a Time
Although making connections in the industry can be challenging, Msai encourages young creatives not to be discouraged. “You do need to know some people to get into certain rooms but overall you can still make it even if it is just you,” he shares.
His journey and determination shows that it’s possible to carve out a career doing what you love, even if it means stepping outside the box.
Want to hear more from Msai? Watch the full interview below and catch all the insights he shares on starting a music career, building a label, and making it in the industry.
