The Mixtape Vol. 160

Enjoy an "in-depth analysis of the Johannesburg night life, an absurd but morbidly beautiful world of ultra-highs and super lows… a world where homeless people have Instagram accounts and celebrities are asking you to buy them a beer…" 

The third worst-named record label in the world presents a new EP by the artist formerly known as Siberian Imperial. Now going by X14 and signed to  Wet Dreams Recordings his TWENTYFIFTEEN EP is what's being described above and if you'd like to see if that's true then you can get it here.

After asking how we pronounce X14 we asked some other silly questions, and so for these revelations and more, scroll down. 

Who are you and what's your sound story?

My name is Mohale Motlali. I DJ and produce under the alias X14. My music is dark, gritty, dirty... Like the city that inspired it. A cry for help.

Why did you join Wet Dreams Recordings?

I loved what they were doing. Real, honest song craft and their way of presenting themselves to people was really cool and uncompromising. I had no choice.

What are the perks of being on this label?

It's run genuine, decent human beings. They've shown me unparalleled love. I love Montle and Natalie like we came from the same womb.

Which labels would you have preferred to have signed with?

Literally anyone. Jokes aside, now that Wet Dreams have signed me I don't see who else would have been a better fit. We were made for each other

What was wrong with your former name, Siberian Imperial, what's the thinking behind X14 and how do we even pronounce that?

I would spell Siberian Imperial like this "SIBER14N IMPER14L". When I decided to start with X14 it was an escape from what I was doing under the Siberian moniker... I took the 14 (I A) and added an X for whatever reason, can't remember, probably because I thought it looked cool. You pronounce it Z-I-A because the English language says so. I made some of my favourite music as Siberian, producing for a South African rapper called Francois Dillinger. The problem with Siberian Imperial was me. Rappers and labels weren't interested in the beats I was making. They wanted their shit to sound like Future and Young Thug

When will guitar-driven music make a comeback and which Strokes album will you play to signal its return?

I don't remember it leaving!? F**ker didn't even say goodbye. Definitely 'Room On Fire'.

Talk to us about the current state of electronic music.

People are trying but the real shit is being squashed by the "soulection-bore the club to death" sound a lot of cats are trying to replicate.

What are your thoughts on the current state of music journalism?

It's great, being ignored is great.

Describe how you dance.

Like Soulja Boy.

Where can we catch your live set?

I don't have enough of my own work to play a full live set, yet, but I'm cooking more, so soonish. I'm a pretty decent DJ though, you can catch wherever promoters are willing to have me. Usually downtown JHB, probably Kitcheners.

What's in the mix you made for The Way of Us?

X14 - 'Zero Eleven City'

X14 - 'Zero Eleven City (Rose Bonica Remix)'

Sexus - 'Thank You Big Space feat. Def Eff'

X14 - 'Conch'

DJ Slyngshot - 'Got Charged For That Shit'

??? - 'Worst Night In New York So Far'

Rose Bonica - 'Everything You Feel'

Big Space - 'Beasts Of Burden'

Big Space - 'Sucking Knee Caps For Gigs'

Anything to add please do so here...

I'm making new music, you can expect to hear more from me and my fellow label mates at Wet Dreams Recordings. Support us people, buy our shit so we don't have to work shitty day jobs that distract us from giving you the goods!