Mpumelelo Mbokane, known as Kinetic Torch (Kay.I.T), will release his deeply personal and refined 'Blue EP' on 25 July. This EP is a pivotal moment for the burgeoning South African producer, DJ, and sound engineer. It is his second release on Basement Art. His debut single on the label "Time," featuring Moneek, was blessed with an incredible Jazzuelle remix. That remix cemented Kinetic Torch's presence in the SA house scene.
Basement Art caught up with Kinetic Torch for a sitdown. This is what he had said...
Basement Art: How did you first get into DJing and producing, and specifically, what drew you to the deep house genre?
Kinetic Torch: I first got into DJing and producing because I was completely captivated by the way music could control energy and emotion in a room. I started out just collecting tracks I loved—spending hours digging through records and digital crates—and eventually I got curious about how those tracks were made. That led me to experimenting with production, trying to create my own sound. Deep house really spoke to me early on because of its warmth, groove, and emotion. There’s something timeless about those lush chords, soulful vocals, and deep basslines—it’s a genre that hits both the heart and the feet. It felt like the perfect space for me to express myself musically, blending underground vibes with a melodic and emotional core.
Basement Art: Who were your early musical influences that shaped your sound, and how have those influences evolved over time?
Kinetic Torch: Some of my earliest musical influences that really shaped my sound were Rocco Rodamaal, Charles Webster, Vinny Da Vinci & Christos, Shana, and Culoe De Song. Each of them brought something unique to the table that resonated with me—Rocco’s atmospheric depth, Charles Webster’s emotional storytelling, Vinny’s smooth and soulful selections, Shana’s vocal richness, and Culoe Da Song’s Afro-infused energy and spirituality.
Basement Art: How would you describe your own development as an artist, from learning and emulating others to finding your unique sound?
Kinetic Torch: In the beginning, my journey as an artist was all about learning by listening. I would study the tracks and sets of DJs like Black Coffee, DJ Terrance, and Kentphonik — trying to understand their choices, their flow, and how they built emotion. When I started producing, I found myself naturally emulating that deep, soulful sound. It was a great foundation, but over time, I realized I needed to move from imitation to expression. As I gained more confidence and technical skill, I started trusting my own instincts—experimenting with sounds, layering in more personal influences, and letting my own mood and energy guide the creative process. That’s when I really started to find my voice.
Basement Art: What aspects of DJing and producing do you find most interesting, and how do these two roles complement each other in your artistic journey?
Kinetic Torch: What I find most interesting about DJing is the real-time connection with people—the ability to read a room, shift the energy, and create an emotional journey through music. It’s almost like storytelling with sound. Producing, on the other hand, is a much more introspective and personal process. It allows me to dig deep into my ideas and emotions, and sculpt a sound that’s truly mine. The two roles really complement each other. Producing gives me the tools to create music that reflects my identity, and DJing allows me to test that music out in front of a crowd—to see how it lives, breathes, and moves people. DJing also inspires my production, because I’m always paying attention to what works on the dancefloor, what creates emotion, and how people respond to certain grooves or textures. Together, they complete the creative cycle for me—studio to stage, then back again.
Basement Art: What aspects of DJing and producing do you find most interesting, and how do these two roles complement each other in your artistic journey?
Kinetic Torch: What I find most interesting about DJing is the real-time connection with people—the ability to read a room, shift the energy, and create an emotional journey through music. It’s almost like storytelling with sound. Producing, on the other hand, is a much more introspective and personal process. It allows me to dig deep into my ideas and emotions, and sculpt a sound that’s truly mine. The two roles really complement each other. Producing gives me the tools to create music that reflects my identity, and DJing allows me to test that music out in front of a crowd—to see how it lives, breathes, and moves people. DJing also inspires my production, because I’m always paying attention to what works on the dancefloor, what creates emotion, and how people respond to certain grooves or textures. Together, they complete the creative cycle for me—studio to stage, then back again.
Basement Art: What have been some of the most significant moments or achievements in your career so far that have shaped you as an artist?
Kinetic Torch: Some of the highlights in my career include winning a Metro FM Award alongside Vusi Nova, taking first place in the remix competition for Rancido’s Brighter Days, and reaching number 2 on the Afrodasiam chart with Spirit of Ubuntu by Darque presents Nompumelelo."
Basement Art: Can you tell us about the inspiration or core concept behind "Melo”? Is there a particular story or emotion you aimed to convey?
Kinetic Torch: 'Melo’ was born out of a desire to create something that feels gentle, emotional, and deeply human. The name itself comes from the word 'melody,' which is central to the track, but also from the idea of softness—something that wraps around you and stays with you.
The inspiration came from moments of stillness, those times when you disconnect from the noise of the world and reconnect with yourself. Sonically, it’s rooted in deep house, but there’s a strong melodic and atmospheric layer that carries a sense of calm and vulnerability. It’s not just a dance track—it’s a mood, an emotion. I wanted people to feel that even in a club setting, or when listening alone with headphones
Basement Art: How would you describe the overall musical style and sound of this new release? Does it explore new territory for you, or is it a refinement of your signature sound?
Kinetic Torch: The overall musical style of this release stays true to my roots in deep house—soulful, atmospheric, and rhythmically rich—but it also explores new territory for me in terms of emotional depth and sound design. With Ekukhanyeni Ft. Kinglay, I focused more on subtle textures, warm melodic layers, and space within the arrangement.
It’s less about big moments and more about creating a consistent mood that draws the listener in. In many ways, it’s a refinement of my signature sound, but with more maturity and intention. I’ve grown more confident in trusting simplicity and letting the music breathe. So while it still carries the essence of what I’ve always loved—groove, soul, and depth—it also marks a step forward in how I express those elements.
Basement Art: Walk us through your typical production process for a track on this new release. Where do you usually start (e.g., a melody, a beat, a specific sound)?
Kinetic Torch: For this release, my production process was very intuitive and mood-driven. I usually start by chasing a particular feeling or atmosphere rather than locking into a strict formula. That could be anything from a lush pad sound, a dusty chord progression, or even a field recording that sets a certain tone.
From there, I tend to build around the groove. The beat and bassline are crucial—especially in deep house—so I’ll spend time crafting a rhythmic foundation that feels hypnotic and fluid. Sometimes I’ll sketch a minimal drum pattern first, but often it’s the bass that really unlocks the vibe for me. Once I have that core loop feeling alive, I begin layering in textures—warm synths, subtle melodic motifs, and occasionally chopped vocal bits or organic sounds.
Arrangement comes after that initial loop feels strong. I try to keep things evolving—adding and subtracting elements, playing with space, tension, and dynamics to guide the listener through the journey. The final touches are all about subtle detail: automation, reverb tails, off-grid percussion, and little sonic surprises that keep things interesting without overwhelming the groove. So, while I might technically start with a sound or beat, it’s really the emotional direction that leads the way. Each track grows differently, but they all begin with trying to capture a feeling and build a world around it.
Basement Art: Are there any particular tracks in the "BLUE" EP that you're most excited about or that hold special significance for you? Why?
Kinetic Torch: Yes, Yes and Yes, all of them are special to me but "Melo" is close to my heart because Bits the song that started the whole "BLUE" EP and blue is the name of my unborn child.
Basement Art: What kind of experience or feeling do you hope listeners will take away from the "Blue" EP?
Kinetic Torch: I hope the music offers a kind of emotional transport—something that pulls listeners into a deeper, more introspective space. Whether you're on a dance floor, driving at night, or just lying down with headphones on, I want the tracks to create a sense of immersion—like you’re stepping into a sonic world that unfolds slowly, layer by layer.
There’s a balance in this release between movement and stillness. The grooves are there to keep things flowing, but the textures and harmonies are meant to evoke warmth, nostalgia, or even a quiet sense of longing. I’m not trying to tell a fixed story—I’d rather create a space where listeners can find their own meaning, memories, or emotions within the music. If someone finishes a track feeling a little more grounded or even just a little more connected to themselves, then it’s done its job.
The "Blue" EP is available on all Music Streaming Platforms
Follow Kinetic Torch:
Facebook: Kinetic Torch
Instagram: @kineticTorch
Twitter: @kinetictorch
Tik Tok: @kinetictorch
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