- Words Notion Staff
Following the release of his dreamy debut ‘forevermore’, rising artist Big Samba talks inspiration, the influence of Durban’s nightlife, and building feel-good, genre-blurring sounds from the ground up.
You know that euphoric high you get on the dancefloor? When the lights blur, the beat drops, and suddenly you’re somewhere else entirely? That’s the feeling Big Samba wants to bottle, and in his debut single ‘forevermore’, he comes pretty close.
Built around a celebration of life and love, ‘forevermore’ captures the heady rush of being with someone who feels almost otherworldly. The track weaves deep house grooves with touches of hip-hop and R&B, all anchored by minimalist, emotionally rich lyrics. It’s the kind of sound that belongs under open skies in the heat of summer—intimate, pulsing, and undeniably soulful.
Behind Big Samba is Katleho Poswa, a genre-defying artist whose musical journey started in the Eastern Cape, producing beats at age 12 on GarageBand and filming DIY music videos with his friends. Mentored by his singer-songwriter uncle, music was never just a hobby, it was laced in his DNA. Today, his sound moves fluidly between house, hip-hop, and R&B, with a refusal to be boxed in.
Co-produced with his brother Chaale Moorosi—of Bass Odyssey fame—‘forevermore’ was born in a single weekend. With Chaale laying the drums and Big Samba adding chords, the rest came organically. The result? A track made for the club, but layered with meaning.
With big things on the horizon, we catch up with the South African rising star to talk Jamiroquai, Durban’s club scene, and why he’s just getting started.
Tell us about ‘forevermore’, how did it come to be?
‘forevermore’ comes from a litany of tracks I made with my brother Chaale Moorosi who is part of Bass Odyssey. I was eager to work with him as I admire his work as a producer. We did lots of features together and ‘forevermore’ just happened to be the one that stuck. He is extremely talented and is an absolute monster in the Durban dance space.
How did you get into electronic music?
As I began to explore Durban’s club scene I got more into electronic music. Durban runs on dance music, it’s the soul of the city. The intensity of the crowd is what drew me to the sound. I knew the mixing and mastering was a complex challenge but I wanted to take it on. I started meeting DJs who worked in the same space and I wanted to give them something to play. I also wanted to pay homage to the scene and show the respect I had for it, so I worked with my brother to make something he could play himself.
You grew up making beats on GarageBand, what do you remember most about those early creative days?
Looking back all the music I made was so bad, but nobody starts as a genius. I remember being so excited to show the beats I made to my uncles who work in music. They would just look at me, smile and go “Wow, this is good my boy, keep working on it and you’ll be a star one day.” I think it’s important to give your child that self-esteem, especially when they’re trying to find themselves. I think that if my family had been completely honest with me about the quality of my music back then, I wouldn’t have continued to do it. It’s crazy to see how much I’ve grown since then.
If you could have anyone feature on a The Big Samba song who would it be and why?
I think Tumi’s awesome. Can someone please get this to him and tell him we need to collaborate ASAP. He is so musically talented and his sound is so unique. I swear it would be the best time of my life working with him, as I’m completely obsessed with what he’s doing right now.
You’ve cited Jamiroquai as an inspiration, what about his music do you love?
Who doesn’t love Jamiroquai? Jamiroquai is just rad. I’m just really inspired by Jay Kay’s writing, it’s so poetic yet funky and cool. It’s like a blend of Stevie Wonder and Kool & the Gang, it’s got that old-school flavour that really inspires me. His writing really works for South African deep house and electronic music, it’s laced with meaning and a clever use of language devices that I admire as a whole.
Who are some other DJs and producers we should be checking out from Durban?
Please check out my brothers over at Bass Odyssey. Tarriq Sewps is also another amazing DJ that comes to mind. I’ve met these guys and not only are they super talented but they are genuinely great people. 2TONEROGUE is also amazing, he loves the scene and is really pushing it in Durban.
Who’s on your playlists at the moment?
Lots of Bass Odyssey and Tumi. I’ve been listening to a whole lot of Hiatus Kaiyote, Les Nubians, Minnie Riperton, Janet Jackson, Indie.Arie Simpson & Azelia Banks.
Where would you like to take your music that you haven’t before?
I need to make a soul record, I really want to dive into that realm. I’m working on putting a band together and coming through with something in the vein of a ‘Voodoo’ by D’Angelo or any of the records that came from those recordings at Electric Lady Studios in the late 90s to early 2000s.
What’s next for The Big Samba?
I’ve got an EP in the works right now that should be out next September, as well as another record with Bass Odyssey. I am also currently putting the final touches on a hip-hop record that I’m hoping I can get out next year. As for this month, I have two upcoming singles that I’m going to keep a secret. We’ve got some exciting stuff that we’re working on and I’m really pumped about it all. This is just the beginning.