IN THE PSYK LIGHT: Sirajuddin Kadri, AKA Drang3D .
He’s 25 and has been rocking up a storm in Cape Town, frequenting local hot spots such as
The Side Show and dropping beats along-side A-listers like Bizzare Contact and Mystical Complex. This month he’s set to share the stage with Israeli psy-hero, Bliss. I was fortunate enough to chat to him to find out more about the man behind the decks…
Photo: Dreamer.
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Psyked:
Thank you for speaking to me today. I am a huge fun, like many other Capetonians.
For the last year or so, your name has been popping up all over the psy calandar.
How did you actually get into the trance scene?
Drang3D:
My older brother and his friends have been listening to trance ever since
I entered this world. From as early as 8 years old I was listening to it, too.
It was Shabier Gaffoor, my older brother’s best friend, who later introduced me to Psytrance while we were taking a drive through to Llandudno. When we arrived at the beach, they took me to a cave with a clear view of the sea shore. All of a sudden beats were being played by Riyaaz Jogee (a WARD 10 member) through their “launch pad mixing console.” It truly was an eye-opening experience. I was blown away seeing the mixing live and so up-close. After that I had to go see where all of this was taking place. Rezonance was my very first Festival. After that, I was hooked!
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Psyked:
Have you always enjoyed electronic music?
Drang3D:
Electronic Music has always captivated me, especially really old-school vocal and uplifting trance.
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Photo: Dreamer.
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Psyked:
Where did you grow up?
Drang3D:
I grew up in Parkwood, Cape Town. Stayed there my entire life.
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Psyked:
And when did you decide DJing is what you wanted to do?
Drang3D:
Well, I just tried mixing one day, and it all made sense for some reason.
I began by creating mixes and posting them, and came to play my first gig
at The Lounge in Observatory. When I was on the floor that day, I realized DJing was what I was born to do.
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Psyked:
Are you involved in any other projects at the moment?
Drang3D:
I am currently working on a few tracks of my own. I would like to release an EP before the year concludes. I also have various collaboration projects that are waiting to kick off as soon as indoor season ends.
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Psyked:
How would you describe your musical style?
Drang3D:
I would say I’m leaning more towards full-on-power psy trance.
It’s all about the fattest bass lines that can keep a crowd moving and screaming for more.
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Psyked:
Who inspires and influences you, musically?
Drang3D:
None other than Aarmin Van Buuren. He has been a major influence
for me, his productions and mixing ability has not declined to this day.
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Psyked:
Are there any DJs in particular you look up to?
Drang3D:
DJ Bruce. Much respect to that man.
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Psyked:
Which event thus far has been your favourite to play at?
Drang3D:
COMING SOON!!! Live at The Side Show.
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Psyked:
If you could perform with any DJ who would it be?
Drang3D:
BLiSS! (That dream is being fulfilled on the 27th July).
Catch BLiSS in Cape Town, details here.
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Psyked:
Do you prefer indoor or outdoor season?
Drang3D:
Outdoor season. Who doesn’t love dancing in the fresh air with the sun beating down on you?
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Photo: ItsNot Phair Photography
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Psyked:
What would you say has been your biggest personal accomplishment so far?
Drang3D:
It would definitely be performing at the One World – New Years Eve Festival. It was my very first outdoor gig.
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Psyked:
How did your DJ handle Drang3d come about?
Drang3D:
Drang3D is the dark side that likes to cause a trouble…
So, I save trouble for the stage.
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Psyked:
Are there any upcoming parties you are particularly excited about?
Drang3D:
Groovy Troopers.
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Psyked:
What are the biggest perks of being DJ?
Drang3D:
Making people smile!
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Psyked:
… and what do you find most challenging?
Drang3D:
People talking to you while you are mixing -_-
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Psyked:
How do you feel about playing at events alongside recognized artists
like Mystical Complex, Bizzare Contact and now, BLiSS?
Drang3D:
I’m still struggling to believe that it’s all happening. It’s an ecstatic feeling to share the stage with huge, International artists.
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Psyked:
Have you DJ-ed overseas? Is there anywhere on the globe that
you dream of DJing at?
Drang3d:
No, I haven’t, but I would really love to play in Portugal, Israel,
Japan, India, Mozambique, Greece and Mexico.
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Photo: The Kenyan With The Camera
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Psyked:
What do you think about Cape Town as a top psytrance destination?
Drang3D:
There is no better place to party. We have diversity at its best,
amazing people, culture and beautiful weather.
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Psyked:
Do you feel that the psytrance scene is growing in South Africa?
Drang3D:
The scene is expanding at a very fast rate. Maybe we’ll be the trance capital of the world, one day. 😛
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Psyked:
Is there a track you’re currently working on to wow the crowd?
Drang3D:
That’s top secret… will have to wait for now 😉
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Psyked:
Are there any tips you can offer to up and coming DJs?
Drang3D:
Perseverance is a key aspect if you would like to grow in this industry.
Just keep mixing, regardless of what people have to say. Most importantly, always remember that it’s about the music FIRST.
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Catch Drang3D LIVE at…
PSYCHO CIRCUS – This Friday. 
BLiSS @
The Side Show on the 27th of July.
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Listen here.
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WIN A TICKET to see Drang3D LIVE this Friday at PSYCHO CIRCUS.
Find out how here.
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Find out more about Drang3D.
Follow him on Soundcloud.
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