Major League DJz chats about 'Piano Republik' and international collabs

Major League DJz Bandile and Banele Mbere and Major Lazer teamed up to release an album dubbed Piano Republik. 

Major Lazer is the global dance trio of Diplo, Walshy Fire and Ape Drums.

Speaking to TshisaLIVE, Banele said it was an organic collaboration that started with a conversation, after which they were all set to start production. 

He said Diplo loved their Balcony mixes, watching them during lockdown, like everyone else.

“We went to LA when the restrictions were being eased and we did a few things there and he was like come to my house and let's do a balcony mix. He had been working on some piano music and we also gave him something to play.”

“Since that time he's been working in studio doing some music, so one day we were like, let's make a project. Let's get a deal from a label and let's make a project. Let's work on something dope for amapiano. He believes amapiano is a great sound that can transcend into America and other parts of the world. So it wasn't anything planned."

Artists featured on the album include Msaki, Gaba Cannal, Russell Zuma, Yumbs, Boniface, DJ Rico and singer Tyla, Ty Dolla $ign, Tiwa Savage, to mention a few.

“Ty Dolla $ign has been listening to these mixes, and a lot of them. We actually did two songs with Ty on the album. We did the songs in LA and finished them off in London while he was there. So more than anything, doing the album with Diplo and them is building crazy relationships.

“We are working with different types of people now, from PartyNextDoor to Post Malone. There's a lot of people we are working with, so hopefully these songs will come out.”

The duo who made their Coachella debut alongside Black Coffee in 2022 and recently sold out London’s O2 Academy Brixton, said they have also been working on an album of their own.

“We are dropping a project in June, our own project which is done. We are just mastering and everything else. I feel like we've really done what we are supposed to do and now we are just building on what we have, but the relationships are there and growing every other day.”

The duo have a residency at Outernet London on June 3, 10, 17 and 24.

“A lot of dance music blows up in London. We feel like we have a very huge fan base in the UK. The residency we are doing we planned and did on our own, with our own money,  and that was the first of its kind in London. So every year we are probably just gonna grow it and grow it.”