Techno Africa by DJ Katapila

“They call me DJ Katapila because I am like a machine. The Caterpillar that digs a hole, creates a road.”

In Jamestown, a coastal district in Accra, Ishmael Abbey has lived and breathed dance music. His alias - Katapila - is woven into the fabric of local parties, his devotion to which has led to decades of focus on delivering the eruptive music he loves to all in earshot, regardless of whether they would ever enter a dance-floor themselves.

It’s this infectious, fiery mentality that has propelled Katapila to the fore of electronic circuits in Ghana and beyond - and what continues to set the pace as listeners gather for his marathon like DJ sets.
This September, his fourth major release sees him making his UK-label debut with Club Yeke: “Techno Africa.”

In the context of Ghana’s electronic and pop music landscape, Katapila’s music is at once singular and the product of myriad influences. The ever-present uptempo traditional asafo sounds and Roland 808-rooted drums echo early Detroit techno and house. This blend of beats with Ghana's coastal rhythms and melodies creates a sound that is lively, pulsing, irrepressible. He then chants, raps or sings in Twi, a vibrant hallmark of his productions, which the artist himself dubs “African Techno” - a sound which has rapidly gained support from cassette-inspired label “Awesome Tapes From Africa”.

The EP breathes with Katapila’s character. In “Techno Africa”, we are taken for a 6-track ride into his skill for instrumentation, vocals and kicks.

In his own words, “I’m so happy that I have a release with Club Yeke. This will be my debut release with them. I love the label and the feeling was mutual. I am very grateful for CY, some people expect me to come back to the UK and to play shows everywhere. Enjoy the good music. Thanks to the producers and everyone who supported the record so far.”

Mastering: Sam Chadburn
Artwork: Mumptown

DJ Katapila makes Ga traditional music using electronic sounds instead of live percussion to create his own kind of what he calls house music.

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