In a world where beats speak louder than words, Herc Cut The Lights is emerging as one of Africa’s most exciting producers. Self-taught, fiercely driven, and deeply rooted in emotion, Herc has carved out a lane that blends raw talent with technical mastery.
Growing up immersed in history and Greek mythology, the name Herc Cut The Lights was born from childhood play.
“My eldest brother called himself Zeus, and Zeus’ son was called Hercules. So I called myself Hercules,” he shares.
One day in the studio, a friend casually shouted “Herc, cut the lights!” and the name stuck. Today, Herc stands as one of the echoed forces in music production.
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His journey began with car rides with his father, where he first fell in love with sound.
“I spent a lot of time with my dad in the early days. He listened to a lot of music and during long drives with him I developed an appreciation for music.”
When he was presented with the torch, Herc grabbed it and ran with it.
“My friend down the road had a studio. I’d go to his place, and that’s how I started making beats and realized it was my calling.”
Without formal training, Herc taught himself everything.
“I didn’t go to school for it. I forced myself to learn. Some days I was depressed not knowing if this was the right path,” he recalls. But through experimentation, software, and reading his friends’ sound engineering books, he carved his own lane.
Inspired by legends like DJ Maphorisa, wichi 1080, Dr. Dre, Metro Boomin, and Oskido, Herc’s sound blends soul with precision.
“I spent a lot of time around Wichi and Maphorisa. They pushed me further than I thought I could go. From them I learnt to make quality music and good stuff,” he explains to The Music Review.
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What sets Herc apart is his intimate approach and relentless creative process.
“Music is emotion. Hence why I rarely send beats out. I like to build a relationship with the artist and start from scratch together. That’s what makes it unique.”
For him, music isn’t a product; it’s a feeling sometimes driven by rhythm and other times by mood.
“I’m very competitive. I’m always trying to push the craft to the next level.”
His bond with artists like Blxckie and Priddy Ugly is deep and organic.
“Priddy’s like a brother. We met at my cousin’s place. Blxckie moved into the area and invited Priddy over. Priddy then took me with him. That’s how we connected.” Their track “Kwenzekile” started with Blxckie tapping on the floor, proof of Herc’s belief in organic, intuitive creation.
Working with giants like Burna Boy and Davido, Herc says it brought intense pressure. But it’s pressure that comes from what he prayed for, so he’s not complaining.
“They’ve worked in top studios. They know exactly what they want. For “Tshwala Bam”, I spent my birthday mixing the track. They kept asking for changes. I didn’t even get to celebrate, but it was worth it,” Herc says.
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On Africa’s growing global influence, Herc is proud.
“Music in Africa is in a good place. Five years ago, only a few artists were travelling. Now, every week, a different group is being exported. People outside are trying to replicate Africa’s bounce and rhythm. The future looks bright.”
Looking ahead, Herc has no intentions of stopping or slowing down. He plans on going global.
“I want to collaborate internationally, work with different engineers, and teach producers what I’ve learnt. I’d also like to work with Asake, definitely. I love his style. Gunna and Travis Scott, too.”
From Zeus’ little brother to a name echoing through the studio halls, Herc Cut The Lights is just getting started.
Interview curated by Zimiso Nyamande
