Shoka Sunflower has always had a gift for finding light in the cracks — pairing raw emotion with melodies that linger long after the last note. Now, with his upcoming album FOR NOW KEEP DANCING, the singer-songwriter steps into a new era of vulnerability, resilience, and rhythm. In this candid conversation, Shoka opens up about the inspiration behind the project, the stories that shaped its sound, and why this album feels like both a closing chapter and a hopeful beginning.

Where are you based?
Johannesburg, South Africa

What inspired you to get into music?
My older brother was quite the muzo – so I’ve had music close to me for as long as I remember. It was really a mixture of things – I remember being in school and people asking me if I made music because I listened to so much of it. That paired with friends who started trying out rap got me into the idea.

At the age of 12, your brother introduced you to the world of music. What kind of things did he show you?
I wouldn’t say he introduced me at 12 – by 12 I was already quite clued up but he definitely started instilling the idea of making music. He would show me the raps he wrote and beats he made. A potent memory is him playing the “Everything I am” beat by Kanye West and him telling me to freestyle – I tried it out and he validated me – that meant a lot to me, had he called me trash I don’t think I’d be here now.

At 16, you said you knew that music was what you wanted to do long-term. How were you so certain at such a young age?
It was a feeling. I just never felt good at anything except music, so I just didn’t see the point in ignoring that calling.

You wrote your upcoming album, “FOR NOW KEEP DANCING”, in your childhood bedroom in South Africa. How did this influence the themes you dive into in your music?
Not sure I took too much note of how it made me feel being in that space. I think being home and, in a space, I really knew helped with the vulnerability. I could express myself in a space I was safe in because I literally became who I am in that space.

Your new song “Two Step” has a chill vibe. Can you tell us the story behind this song?
In a way that song is me navigating a heartache, and taking accountability for my missteps in that scenario.

What is the significance or the name of the song: “Two Step”? What does it mean?
Two Step is like a dance step – most people who can’t necessarily dance well hit a two-step as a safe zone. So, they are not standing still but also not doing too much. I think this song is me dancing with something, but not necessarily calling it out.

You said that each song on the album comes from a deep sadness. Can you tell us more about this?
I’m quite an inward person – I feel deeply, I think that’s a better way of putting it rather than “a deep sadness”. I was feeling a lot – and most of the feelings were heavy. Life was happening at a pace I wasn’t comfortable, so I used this record to deal.

Can you tell us more about what to expect from your upcoming album “FOR NOW KEEP DANCING”?
The album is out and is really the sound of someone trying to work through their feelings, trying to continue in the face of, cause that’s all we can do – continue.

A lot of the art for your new album is you dressed as a fighter. Can you tell us the significance of that?
I equate the idea of dancing in the context of the album as a fight. The act of trying and facing everyday even when you feel like you don’t want to – that is fighting. So, the Gloves, Pants & bruises feel like a representation of the stakes. I felt like I had to fight to stay alive almost. Also, the name of the fighter Character “Baby Hake” is a reference and ode to South African boxer Baby Jake.

You’re the co-founder of GUSHER, a creative entity dedicated to uplifting artists in South Africa and beyond. What motivated you to establish an organization like this? Can you tell us a bit about GUSHER?
GUSHER* is a creative network I founded in 2020 and co-run with my friend Bahbahroo. Its original intention was to platform up-and-coming acts from South Africa and the rest of the world. Now the goal has expanded into working alongside artists and connecting the dots, being a space where individuals can create projects with intention and freedom.

Do you have any favorite stories from your time with GUSHER? Any artists you are particularly proud of?
Every year we put together compilation projects of artists we really love locally and internationally. In 2023 we put out Memory Disk Vol 1 – in 2024 we put out a fundraising project called Piercing the silence – with the goal of providing humanitarian aid to Sudan, Congo & Palestine. This year we putting out the second Volume of Memory Disk – it’s out in September.

It has been a crazy past few years, and we suspect there will be at least four more. How have you been staying positive?
Treating every day as a day – nothing more – nothing less.

What is your life motto?
The Glass is not half full nor half empty – it just has water.

To learn more about Shoka Sunflower, please check out the links below:
GUSHER* - www.gusher.co.za
@gusher___ - Instagram
@shokasunflower – tiktok, Instagram & twitter

Roots & Rhythm: Shoka Sunflower on Music, Meaning, and Growth