Yolophonik: Building a legacy beyond the production credits

For years, Yolophonik has been one of those names music lovers may have encountered without fully realising just how much of South Africa’s contemporary sound bears his fingerprints. The Pretoria-born producer, songwriter and DJ who’s real name is Andrew Siphiwe Masondo, has built an impressive reputation through collaborations with some of the country’s most respected artists, while also earning recognition for his genre-bending remixes. Yet, despite the acclaim, Yolophonik believes many listeners still haven’t met the artist behind the production credits.

“I think the biggest misconception is that I only work on remixes,” he says. “A lot of people don’t know that I work on original music as well.”

It is a perception he understands. After all, many fans were first introduced to his work through the remixes that gained traction online over the years. However, 2026 marks the beginning of a new chapter—one focused on establishing a catalogue that belongs to him.

“I don’t have a lot of original songs under my own Spotify or Apple Music profiles,” he explains. “Most of the music people know me for has been music I’ve produced for other people. Now I’m building my own catalogue.”

Describing himself as an ‘alternative’ artist, he refuses to be confined by genre labels. His music draws from a broad spectrum of influences, from hip-hop and R&B to house music and beyond. For him, versatility is not simply a creative choice but a survival tool within an ever-evolving industry.

“It helps to be able to blend into different environments,” he says. “You might get an opportunity where someone is looking for a pop sound, but you’re known for hip-hop. Being versatile opens more doors.” His inspiration extends well beyond music itself. Photographers, filmmakers, visual artists and other creatives constantly feed his imagination. “I get inspired by a lot of different things outside of music,” he says. “That definitely plays a role in what I create.”

One of the defining experiences of his year was participating in the AmaGroove Residency, a week-long cultural and creative exchange held earlier this year at Kromdraai Impact & Co-Creativity Hub. The initiative brought together various artists from South Africa and Denmark, curated by Msaki, Muneyi, and Mishy, and supported by partners including Autor, the Riky Rick Foundation, and the Danish Embassy. 

Far from being a typical residency, AmaGroove emphasised listening, care, and authentic collaboration. Artists were encouraged to co-write and experiment without pressure, creating space for cultural fusion to happen naturally. 

For Yolophonik, the residency offered more than just networking opportunities, it became a space where worlds collided through music. “It was incredible,” he recalls. “What was special was seeing how we blended our cultures together. There were songs where someone would sing in Danish and then another artist would sing in Zulu on the same track. It felt authentic and refreshing.” 

The experience validated his belief in collaboration as a creative force. According to him, the best collaborations are built on honesty and openness rather than ego.  “If an idea isn’t working, you have to be honest enough to say so and go back to the drawing board. The collaboration shouldn’t feel forced. It should feel natural,” he explains.

That philosophy has guided him throughout a career that has seen him work alongside some of South Africa’s most celebrated artists. Yet one of the most important lessons he has learned came not from a released record but from an unreleased collaboration. The project forced him to confront his own perfectionist tendencies. 

“It taught me to sometimes step back and listen to music as a fan instead of a producer,” he says. “When you’re producing, you’re constantly analysing every little detail. Sometimes you have to let the music speak for itself.” That lesson appears to have informed the approach behind his upcoming EP, which is currently in its final stages of mixing and mastering. 

The project, which has been quietly taking shape over the past three years, leans heavily into alternative R&B and features a wide range of collaborators, including Bonj and The Big Hash. 

“I’ve wanted to release this music for quite some time,” he says. “Other things became the priority, but now it feels ready.” While he remains tight-lipped about certain production projects still under wraps, he hints that listeners can expect a significant amount of new music this year. The reality of being a producer, he notes, is that songs often take years to reach the public. “A great example is a song I worked on with Blxckie. We made it in 2022 and it only came out this year.”

Beyond his own releases, he is equally passionate about the broader South African music landscape. He believes the country has long produced world-class music, but international attention has largely focused on a select number of genres. “We’ve had good quality music for a very long time,” he says. “Now the international markets are paying more attention, but it always seems to be a select number of genres that get pushed.”

While he acknowledges the global success of Amapiano and Afro-house, he hopes South Africa’s alternative and R&B scenes will eventually receive similar recognition.  “We have R&B that’s uniquely South African,” he says. I hope the right people find these artists and give them the same opportunities.”

Among the artists he believes deserve greater attention are Nanette, Oshun Grizzly, Solo Sae and producer Fiji Mageba — creatives he views as pushing boundaries and helping shape the future of South African music.

As for his own future, Yolophonik has his sights set beyond South Africa’s borders. International collaborations remain a priority, even if they currently require creativity and persistence rather than frequent travel. For now, social media serves as his bridge to the world.  “I want to connect with people from different parts of the world and bring those influences into my music,” he says.

Despite an already impressive list of achievements, he speaks about his career with the excitement of someone still at the starting line. “I feel like I have so much more to offer,” he says. “This honestly feels like the beginning.”

And if his upcoming EP is any indication, the next chapter may finally introduce listeners to the artist he has been building towards becoming all along. 

Bars n Rhymes!