KR

As many of composers of music in the South African music domain the South African music domain, the musical journey of KR [born Kopano Ezra Ramashala], started with the sounds of jazz from late greats such as Mirriam Makheba, Victor Ndlazilwana and other international acts such as Stanley Turrentine and his legendary Black Hawk crew, echoing in his home through his fathers turntable hifi system.

With this rich musical influence it was only second nature for him to discover his composition skills as a beat boxer while trying to fit in with his peers during the start of his high school career which commenced in the year 2000. With sure luck , and being blessed with having access to a personal computer at home a friend passed to him a piece of novice production software called EJay Studio, where he then sharped his skills as a music producer. After being bored by the limitations of this novice software he landed his hands on the first version of the midi sequencing software called Fruity Loops , now know as FL Studio.

By the end of 2002 KR, then know as “Biodegradable” was the go
to man for beats in hip hop circles at his high school, where he started his first record label called “Bio Hazardous Records” where he had signed two friends Liberty Mthembu and Trevor Chawane. It was in his matric year in 2004 that he really noticed his skills , after composing the beat for the curtain closer of their school play named “School High” which received a standing ovation from all those that were present that night.

Fast forward to 2007 when KR dropped out of his I.T Studies at T.U.T to pursue a long time dream and that was music. The beginning of 2008 he registered as a Sound Engineering student at Damelin in Boksburg on the East Rand. This is when the world of music production was opened up to him where he studied the entire process from writing to recording and post production of a track. It was during these two years of study where he also delved into the art of deejaying being taught by the best in the east dj VAVA using 12’’ vinyls and turntables between and after college classes.

After graduating in 2010 he once again lost track of his love after receiving an employment opportunity at the local municipality but continued to make music to ease the pain of a creative stuck in the world of municipal finances.

It was after life changing experiences in April 2013 that saw him back to his passion again as not only as dj/producer but also a sound engineer. His passion for music and specifically the genre of house shines through in his first EP, which he released through his self-owned record label Plastiq Muzic April 30 2016, which is till available on most digital online stores named “We R Plastiq Muzic”.

He is currently a freelance engineer at former RPM studio’s , now know as the Down Town Music hub in Johannesburg as well as a creative producer for community radio station Eden Am.