Horsepower started quietly. No studio, no crowd, no plan to impress anyone. Just me, my room, and a need to make sense of the music I was carrying around in my head. It was 2021, the world felt heavy, and South African dance music was doing what it has always done best. It was moving forward, even when everything else felt stuck.
At SFI.COZA, we’re drawn to origin stories that don’t announce themselves loudly or ask for applause, because the most enduring ideas rarely do, and Horsepower followed that rule to the letter: no studio polish, no industry co-sign, no launch strategy, only one person, one bedroom, and that familiar, relentless urge to make sense of the music echoing in your mind while the outside world paused, recalibrated, and searched for meaning.
I didn’t call it Horsepower because of cars or bravado. I called it that because of energy. The kind you feel before the beat drops. The kind that pulls you through a long night. The kind that doesn’t rush but never stops moving. In many ways, the horse felt like the right symbol. Grounded, powerful, patient, and built for distance, not shortcuts.
Ten mixes later, Horsepower has become more than a series. It’s a record of growth. Mine, and the sound’s.
Each mix is tied to a moment. Not just in time, but in feeling. When I listen back, I hear where my head was at. What I was learning. What I was letting go of. South African dance music gives you that freedom. It allows space for jazz chords to sit next to heavy drums. It lets groove take priority over hype. It values feeling over formula.
That’s the culture Horsepower comes from. I grew up listening to music that didn’t need to shout. House that trusted rhythm. Deep cuts that rewarded patience. From township sounds to late-night mixes passed around on USBs, South African dance music has always been about community and conversation. DJs speak to dancers. Producers speak to the floor. Nobody is performing above anyone else.
Horsepower tries to honor that. It’s not about chasing what’s trending this week. It’s about documenting what feels honest right now. Some mixes are smoother, almost meditative. Others are tougher, more percussive, and built for movement. All of them are rooted in the idea that dance music is emotional music. Even when it’s made for the club.
Starting it in my room mattered. There was no pressure to impress. No crowd to please. Just instinct. That’s where the series learned its voice. It reminded me that before playlists, before numbers, before algorithms, music is personal. You choose tracks because they say something you can’t always explain.
Ten mixes might not sound like a lot, but each one took something out of me. Time, focus, vulnerability. You put yourself in there, whether people realize it or not. You’re saying this is what I believe it sounds like now. That’s not a small thing.
As we move into 2026, the idea of the Year of the Horse feels intentional. Not in an astrological sense, but in spirit. I want Horsepower to keep its stamina. To grow without losing its weight. To move into new spaces while staying rooted in South African dance culture.
In 2026, I want the series to be more collaborative. More conversations with producers, selectors, and dancers who live this sound every day. I want to spotlight music that doesn’t always take center stage but shapes the scene from the edges. I want Horsepower to exist in rooms, galleries, warehouses, wherever people are open to listening properly.
Most importantly, I want it to stay honest.
Horsepower was never about being the fastest or the loudest. It’s about momentum. About trusting the journey. Understanding that dance music, especially in South Africa, is a living entity. It carries history, struggle, joy, and imagination all at once.
If the first ten mixes were the foundation, then 2026 is about expansion. Not for the sake of growth, but for depth. Let the horse run, but let it choose the path.
That’s the energy I’m carrying forward.
Born and raised in the charming town of Empangeni, KwaZulu Natal, Sabelo Khanyile has carved out a unique niche in the creative world. Now based in Cape Town, Sabelo is a multifaceted artist known for his dynamic work as a DJ and photographer. His creative journey has led him to collaborate with notable figures such as Micael Matthews and showcase his work at prestigious events like SA Men's Fashion Week. His striking photography has also graced the pages of Vogue Italia, marking him as a significant force in the global art scene. In addition to his work as a DJ and photographer, Sabelo serves as the Creative Director of Adult Content Dreams, an innovative online platform dedicated to celebrating art, fashion, and music. Despite the provocative name, the platform is far from a site for adult content. Instead, it offers a vibrant space for the youth in South Africa to explore and engage with contemporary art and fashion, providing a creative outlet that fosters expression and connection through various artistic mediums. Sabelo’s diverse talents and creative vision continue to influence and inspire, making him a prominent figure in South Africa’s evolving cultural landscape.
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