Local producer reaches for his dreams

“My love of music started when I was in Grade 7. I used to listen to people like Culoe De Song and DJ Kent. These two artists motivated me to become a DJ and producer.”

Those were the words of Ephraim Itumeleng Sere, who is a talented individual from Roodepoort North, who has a passion for creating and combining different sounds.

Popularly known as El Papino, the 24-year-old eats, loves and breathes music.

When asked where the name El Papino comes from, he said his grandmother, whom he lived with in the North West, gave him the name.

“My grandmother used to call me Papino. My high school friends heard that and started calling me that too, which irritated me. However, one of my friends told me that I should embrace it and add the ‘El’. That is how I became El Papino,” said Sere.

Some of his amazing work includes the single that won Song of the Year at the 011 Awards, titled Tipoti by Dlozi Gregory Cheddar Mahlatse (who is also a local musician).

“When the song I produced won, I was ecstatic because my work was being recognised. I almost cried. I know it may seem like just a small award that means nothing to other people, but to me and my team, it means a lot because it symbolises our hard work,” said El Papino.

This 24-year-old’s daily routine involves making music all day, every day and said he has encountered challenges along the journey to where he is now.

“I produce music every single day. I get gigs here and there, as they come once in a while. I have encountered challenges in my life, and actually I speak for most DJs when I say this. We normally get people who invite us to play at their parties, and say this is for exposure. How much exposure does one person need? They forget that we have to put food on our tables,” he said.

El Papino added that what sets him aside from other producers is that he draws his inspiration from South African jazz, electro house and Kenyan music producers.

He also gave the Record more insight into his latest work released.

“I released an Extended Play (EP) last month, titled The Remix Package Vol 1. Basically this EP is made up of remixes of top songs from big artists like Dj Shimza ft Mishka – African Woman, and Adele – Set Fire To The Rain, just to name a few,” explained El Papino.

The local producer who aims high said in the next five years, he wants to be bigger than what he is now.

“I am aiming really high. I want to see myself having my own record label and pushing my second album. People who want to see more of my work can follow me on, Facebook: elpapinoho0use, Instagram : elpapinohouse, Twitter : El Papino 31 and for bookings they can contact him on 071 758 3483.”